Is an Internet Answering Machine Right for You?

I can get my phone messages right away with my internet answering machine while I am working online. Now I can either answer my calls on the computer or let the internet answering machine pick it up and return the call later.

I spend the majority of my time on the computer and it was so annoying having that separate answering machine. Now I can receive the message right at my desk top while I work.

One of the benefits of having the internet answering machines is I don't have that extra answering machine sitting around taking up desk space. One less wire among the octopus of wires I have hidden behind my desk.

Another huge advantage for me is that when I am checking my messages I do not need to write down all the important information. I can receive my messages in text format. Using my home phone for business and personal calls, it was always such a hassle to go through my messages. With the internet answering machine, the messages I need to keep in text I can save and have a more accurate record of the call. This has saved me a lot of time. Before I had to write everything down and then transfer them to my computer.

The internet answering machine is not a completely new technology. It was introduced in the late '90s when most of the internet connections were dial up. At that time, it meant if you were using the internet you could not receive incoming phone messages or calls. All the caller would receive would be a busy signal. With the internet answering machine you no longer would miss those incoming calls.

Today there are still many people and countries that only have the dial up internet. However, many also have the high speed internet that no longer disables your phone service. It wasn't until so many people started using there home computer for business, that the need for the internet answering machine came back into focus.

Many of the new computers today are preinstalled with the internet answering machine software, eliminating the need to buy additional software to install.