However, I thought it would be valid to offer an opinion from the perspective of a Voicemail Communication company itself, which we are.

One way we personally have provided a solution to this concern is through Message Notification.

On our systems, whenever a voice message is left we provide instant e-mail notification to the subscriber. We capture the callers phone number (ALWAYS) as well as standard date/time/message legth/extension etc and provide it within the e-mail notification itself.

If the caller is listed in the White or Yellow pages we also provide the name AND address of the caller.

Messages (and faxes) can be played, saved or deleted instantly by pressing the appropriate button within the e-mail itself.

With these features our subscribers are able to get some ‘up front’ info on the caller before even retreiving the message. In addition they can click on whichever of the e-mails/messages they want to, in whatever order they want to. No need to even dial into the system.

The same info is accessible from within a web-based back office as well.

This eliminates the need to wade through all messages, listen to an entire ‘junk’ message before being able to delete it and more.

It also eliminates the transcription glitches often encountered with voice to text translation systems.

So basically the power of Outlook is available for Voice messaging, to an extent.

Just thought you should know that as an Industry we are trying to find solutions to credible issues like the one you presented.

PS: Thanks to one of our subscribers who was prompted to contact us after reading this Post, it is nice to see people taking an active interest in improving technology!

I’ve also got an unwritten rule with my people that if we call each other via cell phones, we’ll just check our call logs to see the missed calls regularly. If we missed a call from each other, we’ll call back. Rather than have to call voicemail, listen in, then call back.

So if my phone service won’t translate voice mails as mentioned above, how about I stop leaving voice mails when I call - just hang up and send an email. That way the back and forth is steared to a more efficient medium… then on my phone system have my message say “I’m not available right now. So that I can respond more quickly to, you can send me an email at this address…”

And if you’re “on the road”… use the internet services available at most hotels to get your forwarded voicemail on your email account.

The problem, though - how the heck are you going to do this when you don’t have VOIP? Or while you’re on the road with your “traditional” cellphone?

Does anyone use SMS/Text Messaging as an alternative to voicemail?

And regarding voicemail and productivity? My personal favorite are people who call you back after you leave a detailed message, and when you ask, “Did you hear my message?”, they say “No.” And you’ve got to tell the story again.

THAT is when voicemail is a total productivity killer.

Some phone companies will “translate” and forward the information to your email.

Vonage does this for a small charge per message. This solves most of
the very valid issues you cover in the article.