Automated answering system
An automated answering system greets every caller, sends them to the right person, and takes a message when nobody's free. Start with a friendly phone menu, or step up to an AI voice agent that actually talks back. Either way, we set it all up for you.
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What is an automated answering system?
Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats. You're the boss, the sales team, and some days, the receptionist too. So what happens when you're with a client and the phone won't stop ringing?
An automated answering system picks up for you. Every caller hears a consistent, professional greeting, then gets sent to the right person, department, or mailbox in seconds. It works during your busiest hours, after you close, and on weekends and holidays, so you never lose a customer just because you were busy.
24/7
answering, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
1 number
for your whole team, whether they're in the office or out in the field.
Since 1997
helping small businesses sound their best on the phone.
Two levels of automation
Some businesses just need callers sent to the right place. Others get the same questions all day long and need someone to answer them. AccessDirect offers both, and you can move up anytime.
A phone menu that greets and routes.
Main line
Auto attendant
Callers hear your greeting, recorded by a real person, then press a key or say a name to reach the right person, department, or mailbox.
Best for: teams that mostly need calls sent to the right place.
Where you get it
Included in Team, $60/mo
A natural-sounding agent that talks back.
AI agent
Incoming call
Callers just say what they need. Your AI agent answers questions, books appointments, and passes real leads to you, any time of day.
Best for: businesses that want every call answered and routed whenever their team can't pick up.
Where you get it
Add-on for Solo or Team, from $300/mo
Want every call handled? Let your AI agent take the lead.
Your AI agent picks up every call your team can't get to, day or night. It even routes better than a phone menu: callers just say who or what they need, and the agent connects them to the right person or department with a quick summary. Not sure which level fits? We'll help you pick.
Why it helps
How you answer the phone is often a customer's first impression of your whole business. Whichever level you choose, here's what comes with it.
Your line handles several calls at the same time, so customers get through even during your busiest hour of the day.
Set different greetings for business hours, after hours, and holidays, so callers always know what to expect.
Our team writes and records your greetings at no extra cost. No more awkward, self-recorded messages.
Already have a number your customers know? Keep it. Or pick a new local, toll-free, or vanity number. We'll set it up.
It works with the phones you already have: cell phones, office lines, or VoIP. No hardware, no installer, no wires.
Want to change your menu or greeting? Call our U.S.-based team and we'll take care of it, usually right then and there.
How it works
Whichever level you pick, every call follows the same simple path. It takes seconds, and nobody gets stuck on hold wondering if anyone's there.
They dial your business number, day or night. The call gets picked up right away, every time.
A warm welcome with your business name, recorded by a real person or spoken by your AI agent.
Callers press a key from your menu, or tell your AI agent what they need in their own words.
The call goes to the right person or department, gets an answer, or leaves a message that shows up in your inbox.
Choosing the right system
Shopping for an automated answering system gets confusing fast. Boiled down, you need something that greets callers professionally, gives them the information they need, and sends them to the right person. That's it.
A good system should be easy to set up and change, work with the phones you already have, and come with real support when you need it. If your current setup isn't making your life easier, it might be time for a change.
With AccessDirect, our team builds your greetings and menus for you, usually in less than a day. Then you can update anything later, from the app or with a quick call.
Every part of your system can be customized. A few things customers ask for all the time:
Want calls to ring your cell only during work hours?
Need a different voicemail greeting for each department?
Want one mailbox to send messages to several people?
Have something specific in mind? Tell us, and we'll build it for you.
Call 913-599-6500Plans & pricing
Every plan answers with a professional greeting and a simple 3-option menu. Team adds the full virtual receptionist, with multi-level menus, extensions, and a dial-by-name directory. AI voice agents can be added to Solo Operator or Team, starting at $300/mo. Try any plan for 14 days for just $1.
Voicemail only. Great for very small operations that just need messages captured and transcribed.
Built for solopreneurs who actually take calls. Everything in Unified Voicemail, plus live forwarding and more.
For businesses with multiple employees and departments. Everything in Solo Operator, plus a full virtual receptionist setup and more.
Need a custom setup? Call 913-599-6500 and we'll build the right plan for your business.
See what customers have to say about our automated answering service.
"Your company has provided a great, reliable service. It's hard these days to find a company whose service is 'as advertised,' but AccessDirect is 'as advertised.' I thank you and wish the best for you and AccessDirect."
"Your system has already brought in sales I didn't expect. Thanks for all of your help, superior customer service, and dedication to your customers. I will be adding these programs to my existing packages."
"Special thanks for playing such a big part in my company with the service you provide. I will be referring as many people as I can to your service this next year. It doesn't make sense for people to not have this service."
FAQ
What is an automated answering system?
It's a system that answers your business calls for you. It greets every caller, shares basic information, and sends each call to the right person, department, or voicemail box based on what the caller chooses or asks for. No receptionist needed.
What's the difference between a virtual receptionist and an AI voice agent?
A virtual receptionist (also called an auto attendant) is a phone menu. Callers hear a greeting recorded by a real person, then press a key or say a name to get routed.
An AI voice agent holds a real conversation. Callers say what they need, and the agent answers questions, books appointments, and takes down lead details. It answers whenever your team can't, and it routes better than a menu, because callers can simply say who or what they need.
How much does an automated answering system cost?
Every AccessDirect plan answers with a professional greeting and a simple 3-option menu, starting at $20/mo. The full virtual receptionist, with multi-level menus, extensions, and a dial-by-name directory, comes with our Team plan at $60/mo. You can try any plan for 14 days for $1.
How much do AI voice agents cost?
AI voice agents are an add-on for Solo Operator and Team plans, and we build and train your agent for you. There are three levels:
Core, $300/mo: 1 AI agent and 500 voice minutes. Great for a single location that's just getting started.
Growth, $600/mo: 4 AI agents and 1,200 voice minutes, for businesses with more than one location.
Enterprise, $1,200/mo: 10 AI agents, unlimited voice minutes (fair-use limits apply), and HIPAA compliance for regulated industries.
AI agents bill monthly after your 14-day trial, and you can cancel them anytime.
Will it work with the phones I already have?
Yes. Calls can ring your cell phone, office line, or VoIP phone. There's no new equipment to buy and nothing to install.
Can I keep my current phone number?
Absolutely. You can keep the number your customers already know, or pick a new local, toll-free, or vanity number. Either way, we handle the setup, so there's nothing technical for you to figure out.
Can it answer differently after hours and on holidays?
Yes. You can set separate greetings and routing for business hours, after hours, weekends, and holidays. For example, calls can go to your team during the day and to voicemail or your AI agent at night.
How do I get started?
Order online and we'll call you within one business day to build your menu, record your greetings, and get everything running. No software to learn and no headaches. We take care of it for you.