The Evolution of the Voicemail System

The voicemail system, also known as voice mail, VMS and message banks has come a long way since its creation in the 1970s.  Voice mail is a centralized system of stored telephone messages that can be retrieved by the recipient at their convenience.

The term now is used to discuss any system of conveying stored telecommunications voice message, including answering machines. It is now a standard feature of cell phones, land line phones and corporate PBXs.

It is designed to convey a recorded audio message to a recipient.  There are three basic aspects to voice mail.  VMS contains a user interface to select, play and manage messages as well as a delivery method to play or deliver the message to the recipient. Finally, this contains a notification ability to inform the user that there is a message waiting for them.

When it was first introduced it allowed people to leave lengthy, secure and detailed messages in their own voice.  The introduction of voice mail improved the flow of communications and business processes and saved huge amounts of money – thousands of dollars per year per employee. Voice mail revolutionized business and eventually the technology spread to personal use and is today a common feature included on most phone services.  Today, VMS can be linked with email and other telecommunication devices to streamline use.

There are some differences between simpler and more complex voice mail systems.

Simpler VMS Systems:

• Use a remote answering machine
• Use touch tones as user interface
• May play the audio message through the phone

Complicated VMS Systems:

• Use other input devices such as voice or computer interfaces
• May have alternative delivery methods including email or text message delivery, message transfer, forwarding options and multiple mailboxes

Notification methods can also vary, depending on the type of voicemail system that is used.  Simple systems may not provide active notification at all, instead requiring recipients to check with the system while others may provide indications that messages are waiting.

The two main types of voicemail systems are also different. These modes are telephone answering and voice messaging. Telephone answering mode answers outside calls and takes a message from any outside caller either because the extension is busy or no one answers the ring. Voice messaging, on the other hand, enables any subscriber (a person with a mailbox number) to send a message directly to one or many other subscribers' mailboxes without calling them first.

Certainly VMS has had a definitive impact on the way business is conducted, and has also touched our personal lives, allowing us to keep in touch and leave messages when we can't get through to those that we would like to speak to at a particular moment.  Throughout the years it has evolved and changed to keep up with new technology and can now be easily integrated with email, text and other forms of technology.

Most people have a voicemail system of some sort.  However, it is helpful to ensure your VMS is up to date and can easily integrate with new technology, making your life a little easier.