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Direct Inward Dialing Starter Guide: Learn the Basics

Want to get started with direct inward dialing right away? The best VoIP phone services for most are Nextiva and RingCentral. Save up to 40% when you start an annual plan with Nextiva today.

Have you ever tried to call a company’s customer support line but had trouble getting to the right person?

Sometimes, rerouting phone calls can take forever, and reaching the right person can be a cumbersome task.

That’s where direct inward dialing (DID) comes in. DID is a service that makes it easier for your staff to access customers’ phone numbers without searching through contact databases or directories. This reduces the amount of time spent on manual outbound calls and ensures that customer inquiries are attended to promptly.

The 12 Best VoIP Providers For Direct Inward Dialing

As a digital marketing resource, it’s safe to say that we’ve done our share of research on what it takes to streamline communication and customer service. We rounded up the 12 best VoIP providers for direct inward dialing based on their features, pricing plans, customer support, and more.

  • Nextiva — Best Overall VoIP Provider
  • RingCentral — Best for Hybrid and Remote Work Environments
  • Ooma — Best for Small Businesses That Want Simple Setups
  • 8×8 — Best VoIP Provider for International Calling
  • Dialpad — Best AI Functionality for VoIP Phone Systems
  • GoTo Connect — Best Feature-Packed Entry-Level VoIP Plan
  • Phone.com — Best For Businesses on a Tight Budget
  • Google Voice — Best Simple and Lightweight VoIP Phone Service
  • Aircall — Best Built-In Call Management Tools
  • CallHippo — Best VoIP Phone System for Industry-Specific Compliance
  • 11Sight — Best One-Click Audio and Video Calling for Sales and Marketing Teams
  • Zoom — Best Call Monitoring Features For Business Users
The 9 Best VoIP Providers For Direct Inward Dialing

What Is Direct Inward Dialing (DID)?

A DID service connects an incoming call to the appropriate person without having to go through directory searches or operators. This process is completed by assigning a unique phone number for each staff member so that customers can reach that person directly when they dial in.

With a DID line, users can make virtual calls that are able to bypass the traditional phone system and go directly to the person who is responsible for answering calls. Additionally, customers do not need to remember an extension or PIN code, as these virtual numbers can be programmed to route automatically without any manual intervention.

What is a Direct Inward Dialing Number?

A DID number is a virtual number that allows customers to contact your business without dialing multiple extensions or pins. It’s a 10 or 11-digit number that routes the caller directly to the person or department they are trying to reach. DID numbers can be set up as local, toll-free, international, or for specific area codes.

Essentially, a DID number is a shortcut for callers, connecting the customer directly with the intended contact. It eliminates the need for customers to search for a directory or call an operator to get the right person on the line.

How Does Direct Inward Dialing Work?

There are two main ways that DID works:

  • Through Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN): This is the traditional method of setting up a DID line. The provider will establish a set of numbers to be directed through the PSTN to your Private Branch Exchange (PBX) system.
  • Through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): VoIP allows users to set up virtual phone lines using an IP address or cloud-hosted service. This allows for a wider variety of features, such as automated attendant functionality, call forwarding, and recording.

Regardless of which method you choose, setting up DID is easy. Once the numbers have been assigned to your organization or individual, they are ready to be used immediately.

Direct Dialing Using VoIP

VoIP is the most popular option for direct dialing because it offers various features and benefits. With VoIP, you can easily pick a plan that suits your needs without worrying about installation or setup fees. Additionally, VoIP services are typically more affordable and faster than PSTN lines.

Some of the features that VoIP services offer include:

  • Automated attendant functionality
  • Unified Communications (UC) integration
  • Cloud-based call routing
  • Voicemail transcription and forwarding
  • Advanced call monitoring capabilities
  • HD audio quality

VoIP phone providers use SIP trunking to connect the lines to your PBX system, meaning that the virtual numbers are connected directly to your internal phone system. This allows each call to be routed directly to the right person or department without needing manual intervention.

Thanks to this, the most essential benefit of using VoIP is its scalability—you can easily set up a virtual team of experts and ensure that each customer call is answered promptly.

Direct Dialing Using PSTN

PSTN is the traditional method of establishing direct inward dialing. It’s a reliable telephone line that allows customers to dial directly into your company’s PBX system without needing to call an operator or directory.

Traditional phone systems functioned with analog circuitry that was directly dialed, which was both expensive and time-consuming to set up. Furthermore, the hardware invariably created low-voltage signals for the phones so they would work.

The telephone company checked every now and then to see if the line was still in service. If it wasn’t used, they deactivated the circuit. But with the introduction of digital signals, direct dialing has become more accessible and dependable. The customer’s phone still sends low voltages, but these are now converted into bits in order to be transmitted over the phone lines.

Trunks used for DID services can only send, not receive, calls. So, it’s commonplace to also use direct outward dialing (DOD) trunks. Doing so means the direct-dial line can make outbound calls and still retain its allocated DID phone number.

The main benefit of using PSTN for direct dialing is its reliability and stability, as it does not rely on an internet connection. This makes it ideal for businesses that need a nonstop service and are unwilling to take on the risk of poor call quality or dropped calls. Additionally, PSTN lines can be used in tandem with VoIP lines, allowing you to combine the features of both services.

Do I Really Need Direct Inward Dialing Software?

DID services are essential for businesses looking to grow their customer base and ensure that each call is answered promptly. Moreover, they eliminate the need for manual intervention when routing calls, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.

You do not need DID services if:

  • You want to use a traditional PBX system.
  • You only have a few lines and don’t require complex call routing functionalities.
  • Your team doesn’t need to be available 24/7.

But if you want to ensure that your customers can reach you whenever they need and have their calls routed directly to the right person or department, then DID is a must-have. And if you have more than a few employees, direct dialing can help you manage calls more efficiently without needing to hire a dedicated operator.

There are several DID software packages available on the market, ranging from basic to enterprise-level solutions. Depending on your requirements, you can choose a software package that best fits your needs.

VoIP vs. PSTN: Which Is Better for Direct Inward Dialing?

When it comes to direct inward dialing, both VoIP and PSTN lines have their own benefits.

VoIP is the best choice for businesses that need a scalable and cost-effective solution because it offers various features and benefits. With VoIP, you can easily pick up additional lines when needed and enjoy advanced features such as voicemail transcription, automated attendant functionality, and HD audio quality.

With VoIP software, calls take place both on your network and virtually. This means that you won’t need to purchase extra hardware, further saving you money.

PSTN is usually seen as the more reliable and secure option. It’s ideal for businesses that need uninterrupted service without worrying about call quality or dropped connections. This makes it the perfect choice for establishments that require nonstop services, such as hospitals and banks.

That said, VoIP providers are continuously improving their software, and many of the latency and quality issues have been resolved.

Ultimately, the decision between VoIP and PSTN rests on your individual needs. Since VoIP offers a convenient, lightweight, scalable, and cost-effective solution, it is the best option for most. But if you need the reliability and security that some industries require, PSTN might be the better choice.

Benefits of Direct Inward Dialing Tools

You might not see it immediately, but DID services offer several benefits you may not have even considered.

  • Easy Call Management and Routing: Direct-dialing solutions make it easier to manage calls and ensure that they reach the right person or department. This makes it easier for customers to address their inquiries without needing multiple transfers or waiting on hold.
  • Reduced Wait Times: DID services also reduce wait times and the amount of time it takes to transfer calls. This helps establish a better customer experience and strengthens your brand reputation.
  • Cost Savings: DID tools can help you save money in the long run by reducing your need for additional staff and resources. Instead of needing to hire an operator or use a manual system, calls are routed and managed automatically.
  • Advanced Features: Many direct dialing solutions offer advanced features such as automated attendants, call forwarding, and voicemail transcription. These features help streamline the whole process and maximize efficiency.
  • Fits Into Existing Equipment: You don’t need to purchase additional hardware with VoIP. The DID software integrates with existing equipment, so you can start immediately without extra expenses.
  • Flexible Software Solutions: When you combine the power of VoIP, DID, and SIP trunking with smartphone functionalities, you get a flexible and highly customizable software solution that fits any budget.

Improving the customer experience in any way—including easy call routing—comes with a wealth of other benefits as well, including increased customer satisfaction, improved brand loyalty, and higher retention rates.

Getting Set Up With Direct Inward Dialing

Now that you know the basics of direct inward dialing, it’s time to start setting up your own system. From choosing the right provider to selecting the right features, a lot of preparation is involved.

To make things easier, follow these steps:

  1. Decide between VoIP and PSTN: The first decision you need to make is what type of technology you’re going to use for your DID system. VoIP is best for most, but if you’re looking for a more secure and reliable option, then go with PSTN.
  2. Choose a DID service provider: Your next step is to pick out the right DID service provider. Research different providers and compare services, features, pricing plans, and customer support before deciding. Our guide to VoIP providers includes a comprehensive overview of the best DID providers.
  3. Select Your Features: Once you’ve chosen a DID provider, it’s time to choose the features you need. Think about the type of calls you get and how many lines you need for your business. You can also opt for additional features such as voicemail transcription, automated attendants, and call forwarding.
  4. Set Up Your System: After you choose a DID service, you’ll need to set it up. If you choose a VoIP provider, this process will be fairly straightforward. They might even handle the setup and onboarding for you.
  5. Test Your System: Once everything is set up, testing your system is essential. Make sure all the features are working properly, and that calls are routed correctly. This will help ensure a smooth customer experience when you go live.

If you run into any problems along the way, reach out to your DID provider for help. They can usually provide helpful advice and walk you through the setup process.

Final Thoughts About Direct Inward Dialing

Direct inward dialing is an excellent solution if you want to provide a more efficient and cost-effective way of handling customer calls. It offers automated call routing, advanced features, and cost savings that can help you reduce operational costs without compromising quality.

To get started with DID, follow our step-by-step guide and choose the right provider for your business. Then, you can set up your system and start enjoying the benefits of an advanced call routing solution.

Want to know more about VoIP? Check out our guides on optimizing your VoIP network and conducting a VoIP speed test for more information.

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Biteable Review

Biteable helps you create studio-quality videos that get your brand noticed. 

Its claim to fame is accessibility: It’s easy to use, and its selection of tools is robust enough that professional 10-person teams, as well as solo creators, can use it and get stellar results. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re in video marketing, trying to create social media ads, starting a YouTube channel, or creating a presentation; it’s useful for just about any video editing need. 

Below, we go deeper into \ its best features and how much you can expect to pay according to how you’ll use it. 

Biteable Pros and Cons

Pros 

  • It has a free version for beginners
  • It comes with easy-to-use video templates and stock footage
  • Virtually zero learning curve
  • It comes with great customer support and tutorials
  • It gives you access to royalty-free music with its paid plans
  • Offers studio-quality animations
  • You can create a custom business watermark
  • Paid plans come with commercial usage rights

Cons

  • The free version only offers watermarked video exports
  • You only get priority support on its highest-paid plan
  • Limited font capabilities
  • Not the best for highly advanced video editing needs
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Biteable Features

It’s one thing to look through a list of pros and cons— those can give you some quick insight on what you can and can’t do with a tool. But to really get to know what Biteable is capable of, let’s dive deeper into its key features and offerings. 

Video Templates

When it comes to editing, video templates can save the day if you’re short on time. Thankfully Biteable offers a ton of those. And you don’t even have to sign up for an account to check out its full-fledged library of templates. 

You can find templates for anything from sloth-themed ads to holiday-themed videos. Once you pick one you like, you’re able to edit the progression of scenes, add your favorite fonts, change the colors, and set the music to an appropriate tune. 

Biteable’s library of video templates definitely comes in handy if you need to produce a video under a tight deadline or lack inspiration and want to start creating a video from a template you can edit further. 

It also helps that Biteable’s video templates are generally fun and well designed. So even if you don’t have an eye for color or design, Biteable has you covered. You also get access to professional stock footage. 

Drag-and-Drop Timeline

Biteable’s drag-and-drop timeline feature makes it seem like the easiest app in the world to use. Whether you’re using one of its video templates, using your own video footage, or starting from scratch, its timeline feature makes it so that you can easily edit, shorten, or lengthen any part of your video that you aren’t happy with.

With it, you can also switch scenes if you don’t like the order of your video. Many of these features have been added because the creators of Biteable are keen on listening to user feedback. So as far as using a video editing app goes, it makes it all the more appealing as an option.

Since video editing can be such a time-consuming process, it’s nice to know that Biteable makes the process easier by offering an easy-to-use drag-and-drop timeline view that beginners can pick up and start using quickly. If you’re constantly producing videos for a brand or are an agency creating lots of videos for customers, Biteable makes it easier to create them faster. 

While other video editing software might also come with the timeline editing feature, Biteable’s appeal stands in that it makes the process super accessible and easy to learn. 

Large Royalty-Free Music Library

Videos are more fun when set to music. Especially when you know you have the commercial rights to use that music in your videos. Biteable knows this, and it’s made it a point to include a large library of royalty-free music for its users. 

Once you upload your footage to Biteable, it’s just a matter of choosing your favorite tune from the music note icon on your dashboard. From there, you can preview your completed video to make sure you’re happy with the results before exporting. 

Its built-in features like these that make Biteable so great. You don’t have to worry about hunting down royalty-free music and then having to go through the trouble of uploading and making sure it fits with your video content. With Biteable, you can try out a ton of different options and preview them until you’re happy with the results. 

The Video Marketing Lab

Did you know Biteable also comes with a Video Marketing Lab? You can use it to learn the best tips and tricks for creating videos for Facebook ads. 

Don’t underestimate these guides. They’re massive write-ups with insights like the difference between consideration campaigns and awareness campaigns. Want to learn all about video marketing for Instagram? You can subscribe to the newsletter to know when it’s released. 

Resources like these make Biteable stand out as a video editor that cares about more than just equipping its users with the ability to create stunning content. It publishes valuable insights, hosts a helpful community, and sources royalty-free resources you can use without having to go looking for them. For this, Biteable gets extra brownie points in my book. 

Sync It With Your Social Media Schedule

If you’re running a business and making video content, chances are you’re going to be posting some of them on your social media accounts. Thankfully, Biteable thought about this.

They also aim to help by providing a free social media posting calendar that enables you to keep track of your posting schedule. This, of course, helps you grow your audience by doing more than just creating videos. 

The Biteable calendar comes with ready-made templated videos you can style to your liking. From there, it’s simply a matter of sharing them on the appropriate platforms with a direct sync. 

A Ton of Editing Features

By now, you know Biteable has an easy-to-use drag-and-drop timeline, comes with royalty-free music, a learning hub, and you can start using it for free. But what about its actual editing features? What can you really do with it? 

Some of its most outstanding features include a video trimmer. With it, you can chop off footage you don’t want. Biteable also lets you crop your videos to the right shape for the various social media platforms. 

One of its better features makes it so that you can remove audio from any original footage you upload. From there, you can add royalty-free music, add text, and merge different video clips. Once you sign up for its paid plan, you can also remove Biteable’s watermark and make your own watermark to stamp on your videos. 

Here’s a list of some of Biteable’s best editing tools: 

  • Video trimmer
  • Video cropping
  • Remove audio from video
  • Add music to video
  • Add text to video
  • Video merger
  • Video resizer
  • Montage maker
  • Add images to video
  • Watermark maker

Biteable strikes a balance between being usable and not overwhelming users with complicated and overly advanced editing tools. That’s probably one of the reasons why it has successfully carved out its base of loyal users. 

Comes With An Active Facebook Community

Here’s something you don’t often see: A creative app that hosts its own Facebook community. Biteable has gone out of its way to create a Biteable Video Creators Facebook community with thousands of users.

It’s a great way to connect with other video makers, get questions answered, and hang out with like-minded users. In the group, you also get access to exclusive tips, tutorials, and contests. You can also share your Biteable creations with fellow creators. 

Biteable Pricing and Package Options

When you look through Biteable’s pricing, it’s exciting to see a free option that can be great for beginners stepping into video making. But keep in mind that the free version only comes with one seat, and your videos will be stamped with the Biteable watermark.

If you’re planning on using Biteable for your business, the Biteable watermark can be detrimental to the overall perception of your brand. However, if you’re simply using Biteable for personal use, the watermark on the free option might not be much of a deal-breaker. 

It’s not until you start using the Ultimate tier for professionals that you’re able to use the video maker with a 10 person team, use premium Shutterstock clips, and HD 1080P resolution, just to name a few. 

Here’s a quick look at each plan: 

  • Free – Best for beginners, $0 monthly and free forever
  • Plus – For individual creators, $19 per month or $228 a year
  • Ultimate – For professionals, $49 per month or $588 a year

The Plus plan is the best of both worlds. While you might not get access for 10 users, you also don’t have to deal with the mandatory video watermark that can make your brand look less professional if left on. It’s also a pretty affordable membership, at only $19 per month if you go with annual billing—which is pretty affordable for small businesses. 

Biteable Reputation

Some video editors might not have the best reputation, but Biteable isn’t one of them. With its accessible approach to video making, users have no trouble singing its praises for all it enables them to do with video.

In particular, users seem to love its ability to easily create social-media-friendly videos, especially because formats and best practices change from one social platform to another. 

Another thing users love about Biteable is that you don’t need to create your own footage to make an appealing video. Instead, you can choose from its huge library of stock footage, stock images, and music. There’s stock footage for everyone, whether you’re looking for an animated video that’s a few minutes long or footage with real people doing real things. 

While Biteable doesn’t offer more specialized video editing tools for advanced footage, that doesn’t seem to change how its users feel. This is in part due to its value proposition. It’s a great video editor that can get you fast, professional results without the huge learning curve that software like Adobe can have.

It’s a big part of the reason why it stands out and competes in its niche. That and the fact that Biteable goes out of its way to actually listen to users and incorporate their suggestions as they develop the tool further.  

However, keep in mind that only the paid plans give you access to higher quality perks like stock footage, higher resolution, and additional branding options. Still, its price points are affordable for just about any business if they want to create professional content easily and quickly. 

Biteable is excellent for both small to medium businesses and solo creators alike. Its jam-packed video toolbox comes with plenty of useful features you can get for pretty decent price points. Though it’s a great solution for simple to intermediate videos, it might not be the best option if you need highly specialized video editing tools. One of the best parts of Biteable is that you can start using it for free to get a feel for the tool and your needs.

Get started with Biteable here. 

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Dialpad Meetings Review

Dialpad Meetings is an easy-to-use conference call service. With robust call recording tools and a host of great features, it’s one of the best free conference call services. There are a few areas where competitors surpass it, such as the call audio quality, but it’s still better overall than most other conference calling services.

Dialpad Meetings Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Free plan available
  • Call recording included at all levels
  • Easy to use
  • Screen sharing included

Cons

  • Limited features in free plan
  • Less-than-optimal audio quality
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Compare The Best Conference Call Services
We reviewed dozens of conference call services and narrowed them down to the best options.
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How Dialpad Meetings Compares to the Best Conference Call Services

Dialpad Meetings holds up well against the other conference call services on the market, particularly those that are free. With its top call recording tools, its free plan is easily one of the best offerings available for individuals who want to jump right in, although some of its competitors’ paid plans beat it in a few areas.

The call audio quality, for one, isn’t quite as good as it is elsewhere. Still, this is an excellent conference call service with plenty of useful features and a dedicated mobile app that impressively comes as standard on the free plan.

The best conference services overall are RingCentral and GoToMeeting. RingCentral provides top video, screen sharing, and messaging features, and it’s free for up to 100 participants. Meanwhile, GoToMeeting is another top-notch conference call service known for HD video conferencing, 24/7 customer support, and Salesforce integration.

Dialpad Meetings Call Recording

The ability to record calls is a vital feature of any good conference call service. I’m pleased to see Dialpad Meetings offer it, allowing companies to record their business calls for the unbeatable price of free. Recording calls can be essential to improving customer service, allowing employees to learn where a call might have taken a wrong turn or understanding which places they could have directed a customer to instead. Of course, you might want to record calls to confirm details too.

Dialpad Meetings allows companies to set up their system so that every call that comes through—whether through the main line, call queue, or department—will be automatically recorded and stored. These archived calls can then be listened to with select access to them when needed.

That’s one way of recording calls with Dialpad Meetings. The other is to manually click Record on the on-screen menu once a call has started. You can also choose to record specific bits of a call and stop it by clicking the button again.

For all recording methods, the call is converted into an MP3 file. This is then downloadable from a folder for personal use. It’s worth mentioning that MP3 files often take up little storage space—you can rest easy there.

How does Dialpad Meetings stack up against its competitors? The answer is very well overall, though Dialpad didn’t make our top list of best call recording software. It’s not unusual to see some services charge users for call recording. Not only that, but the system here is easy to use, flexible, and the file size of the calls isn’t a problem. Some long-term users have experienced issues with their call quality, but this is few and far between. Dialpad Meetings excels in this area.

Dialpad Meetings Number of Participants

The number of participants is a significant factor when it comes to using conference call services. The limit on the number of participants almost always changes based on plans. For example, with Dialpad Meetings, the free plan is for 10 participants, but the paid version allows for a much greater number at 100.

How important this is, of course, comes down to what you need, and a small remote team would be well-served with Dialpad Meetings’s starting plan. On the other hand, a larger business might find this limit detrimental, leaving it unable to hold a call with everyone it needs to at a given time.

As you can see from the picture below, Dialpad Meetings also limits the calls to a duration of 45 minutes on the free plan. Meanwhile, the paid tier allows calls to go on for up to five hours at a time.

Against the competition, Dialpad Meetings’ offering here is generally satisfactory, although some of the other conference call services allow for more participants in a call on their starting plans. Another factor here is call duration. For example, Google Hangouts allows 25 people to be part of a call for free, and the call times are unlimited. Dialpad Meetings’s starting plan doesn’t match up to this, so keep that in mind when deciding on the best service for you.

Dialpad Meetings Video and Audio Quality

Regarding the call quality, we’re talking about both the video and audio here. Dialpad Meetings’ audio quality isn’t one of the greatest strengths of the service. Some customers have mentioned that audio calls can be uneven, with the quality varying between perfectly fine to difficult to understand what the other person is saying. It’s clear this isn’t a case for everyone, but the service isn’t faultless in this area.

In terms of video quality, there is more consistency here. The video calls, which support resolutions up to 720p, are often stable throughout, although some people have mentioned it can occasionally be choppy. It’s fair to say that this can also depend on a user’s internet speed and quality. Dialpad Meetings recommends a bandwidth of at least 1.2-1.5 Mbps up / down for 1:1 calls, and for group calls, a rate of 1.2-1.5 Mbps up and 3 Mbps down.

Compared to other conference call services, Dialpad Meetings does a good job overall, but it won’t be the highest quality service on either an audio or video level. For example, RingCentral offers consistent HD quality audio and video calls, and customers very rarely have any problems with either. It’s also worth noting that Dialpad Meetings doesn’t provide much in the way of extra features such as echo prevention, which, as the name suggests, can be helpful to prevent echoes during crucial meetings.

Dialpad Meetings Voice Intelligence

Dialpad Meetings features powerful Voice Intelligence (Vi) functionality that can accurately transcribe a call you’ve had with others. This can be an essential part of driving sales, gaining valuable audience insights, or improving customer service. The calls are transcribed mostly word-for-word, although occasionally there are a few minor issues concerning the accuracy. The calls are then generated in an easy-to-read format.

Perhaps most impressive is the machine’s ability to learn and expand how successful it is at transcribing calls. Like something from a science fiction film, Dialpad Meetings’ call transcripts will increase in accuracy over time, and the VI system can process subtle nuances in conversations the more it’s used. It can determine different voices, too, allowing the transcripts to be easily read and understood. The ultimate aim here is to eliminate time-consuming tasks, so you can spend more energy elsewhere.

Some extra features include the software being able to capture and highlight key “action Items” from your conversations and the option of searching the transcripts for specific keywords. A helpful post-call summary also includes vital details, such as searchable transcription and the overall meeting sentiment.

Dialpad Meetings’ Voice Intelligence is undoubtedly a compelling offering then, but you may be wondering where it stacks up against its competitors. For instance, GoToMeeting can record the notes from a call automatically, and similarly, can transcribe key sections.

The bottom line? There isn’t a massive difference in the capabilities on offer with Voice Intelligence and those offered by other top conference call services, which means Dialpad Meetings stacks up pretty well vs. competitors. Some users have noted VI being a particular highlight of the service, and it’s definitely a feature you’ll get a lot of mileage out of if you do choose Dialpad Meetings.

Dialpad Meetings Screen Sharing

Having the functionality to share your screen with others is a vital part of remote working. It can help you run through a task with your team and enhance the sense of collaboration between colleagues. Dialpad Meetings offers screen sharing in a simple and easy-to-use form. Users can share a screen by clicking the share screen button and can then choose whether to share a window or their entire screen with their audience.

The even better part is that you don’t have to be an organizer of the call to share your screen—it’s available for both organizers and participants. While you can only share a single screen at any one time, different screens can be shared throughout the call in succession if needed. You’ll also be able to access conference controls, such as the mute feature, during a screen share. If you’d merely prefer to share a document or file, then that’s also an option.

There’s no doubt this is a great feature, and I think it’s something all conference call services need to have as a standard to stay up to date with the modern world. The general capabilities on offer here are similar to what’s available elsewhere, and many services offer the ability to share screens. Dialpad Meetings isn’t providing users with something revolutionary then, but it’s a fundamental feature all the same, and users note it works very well on the platform.

Dialpad Meetings Custom On-Hold Music

Dialpad Meetings allows its users to upload and choose their on-hold music. Or, if they’d prefer, they can pick from a selection of music that’s ready to go. This feature might not seem like the most pressing of concerns, but it can have a powerful effect on customers while they wait. Many users of Dialpad Meetings have stated their customers have often brought up the on-hold music, mainly in a positive light, so it can be a novel way of adding some personality to your company image.

There’s a distinction on what users can do between the plans. On the free plan, you’re stuck with the pre-recorded music. It’s only users of the paid-for business plan that get to upload their own music. This is only true for MP3 files, but naturally, you’ll be able to upload any song you desire as long as it’s in that format. They do have to be smaller than 10MB in size, though. Of course, you may feel it necessary to not use on-hold music at all, in which case, you’ll also have the option to make customers wait in silence.

This functionality isn’t a unique feature to Dialpad Meetings. For example, RingCentral allows you to choose your on-hold music too, and it can be up to 20MB in size or the .wav file format in addition to MP3s—so there’s a bit more flexibility there. That said, this is one of those features that can, in some cases, be quite effective at creating the desired mood, so it’s great to see Dialpad Meetings offer it. Just keep in mind the paid plan alone allows you to upload your songs.

Dialpad Meetings Calling and Routing

Calling and routing capability is a critical part of a conference call service and covers a somewhat extensive range of features. For a start, Dialpad Meetings offers its users the option to quickly transfer an incoming call to another individual with a single click. You’ll ask the potential recipient of the call if they can take it and can send it to voicemail if not.

Other notable features include the ability to create a three-way call, so another person can join in the call if need be. A dial-by-name feature allows incoming callers to speak with the required individual they’re trying to reach by using the keypad to dial in their name. There’s a handy call flip feature that moves live calls from one device to another, so imagine moving a call from your laptop to your tablet and back again without a customer knowing about it. That’s without mentioning spam call blocking and transferring calls to a “parked area” to allow others on a different extension to pick up the call.

There’s a multitude of features here that will satisfy Dialpad Meetings users. While many of these features aren’t unprecedented, they are still expected by most companies. I think they all help to make Dialpad Meetings a complete package.

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Summary

If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward conference call service, then Dialpad Meetings is one of the best options available today.

With a vast number of robust features, great call recording, and an easy-to-use interface, you can’t go far wrong.

The best conference call services for most people are still going to be RingCentral and GoToMeeting, but you should give Dialpad Meetings some of your time and consideration.

It might well be the perfect service for you.

Posted on

Unable to access external HD

I'm trying to save something on my external HD, but I get this error:

Unable to access "TOSHIBA EXT"

Not authorized to perform operation (polkit authority not available and caller is not uid 0)

I made a snapshot of the error window, but that doesn't go to well either. I would say, this is enough information to help me out. If not, we'll see later.

I use Ubuntu 20.10

Leon

Posted on

How do LED monitors make the connections between each LED

From my understanding, LED monitors turn each pixel on sequentially at such a high speed that the human eye can't observe it, but how does it make the necessary connections? For example, for a monitor made with a single color of LED across a standard HD resolution (say 1940 x 1080) there would have to be 3020 connections assuming its built in a grid.

I'm assuming I'm missing something.