We want to help you ask the right questions before it’s too late to go “back to the future” circa 1985.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every week, we hear from customers who moved to a new phone system only to discover it doesn\u2019t support streaming.<\/strong> They simply assumed it would. But the reality? Not all phone systems can stream.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe were so excited by our new phone system until we tried to update our on hold and realized that we could no longer stream and had to go back to using files again. It was so archaic. The salesman never explained this to us, and we realize now that it\u2019s because he never even thought about it himself. Nobody does, except for Easy On Hold\u00ae. This has been a major setback, and we wish we would\u2019ve asked more questions before signing the contract.\u201d<\/p>\nEasy On Hold customer<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Are you enjoying the powerful benefits of Easy On Hold\u2019s streaming music on hold<\/a><\/strong> solution?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If yes, then your next phone system choice matters.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As your legacy phone system begins to show its age, your team has no doubt discovered attractive new VOIP systems that promise more internal and external communication features. You’re not alone. Many SMBs and Enterprises eventually find themselves hunting for the holy grail phone system<\/a> that will allow their teams to communicate perfectly with each other and their callers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While more and more communications platforms have adopted Easy On Hold\u00ae<\/sup>\u2019s Streaming Queue Music\u2122<\/sup>, too many still have not. Many of the most sophisticated communications platforms will try to convince you that hold and queue music from audio files is an adequate solution. We say, “no.” There’s a big difference between file-based hold music and streaming audio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Easy On Hold\u00ae<\/sup> launched the first on hold queue stream in 2013, over 80% of its customers have converted to EOH\u2019s streaming technology. New customers choose EOH because the streaming music on hold feature makes hold time more meaningful and enjoyable while making life easy for administrators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technology professionals prefer streaming because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Business and marketing professionals prefer streaming because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your internet service provider (ISP), managed service provider (MSP), or CTO has introduced the idea of a cloud-based (hosted) communications platform<\/a>. The idea is appealing. These platforms make it easy to integrate new customer management tools, accommodate off-site employees, and expand as the business grows. You’re told it’s all included<\/em> when you ask about the music on hold<\/a> function. Yes, callers hear music when they’re being transferred and when they must wait on hold. But can you change the music<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The use of audio files for hold music in UcaaS phone systems<\/a> (Unified Communications as a Service) presents several problems for businesses of all sizes. You may be disappointed with the music and messages on hold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Changing the files is a hassle.<\/strong> Who is going to change the audio file when it becomes out of date? When thousands of customers needed to change their messages to address the COVID crisis, many needed a technical support person to get involved, which can come with a cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luckily, streaming-integrated systems are available to suit a variety of business sizes and needs. We continue to grow our streaming service to meet the specifications of more telephone platforms. Our new Streaming Queue Music\u2122 cloud service brings digital streaming connectivity to various platforms in various formats: HLS, RTP, HTTP, HTTPS, SIP, PCM, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Easy On Hold\u00ae recommends the following companies as great partners to select when you switch platforms to preserve the dynamic flexibility and content control your teams and your callers have come to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t see your brand in either of these lists? Contact us<\/a> to see if streaming is possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Download our Easy On Hold Guide to Streaming Hold Music Platforms<\/a><\/p>at learn.easyonhold.com<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The country’s savviest brands are shifting their attention to perfecting the on-hold experience to drive sales, reduce hang-ups, and increase customer engagement. One of the most popular unified communications platforms today is Microsoft Teams Phone. Streaming hold music is now integrated with Microsoft Teams Phone<\/a>, and look for more platform integrations coming soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bringing in the Easy On Hold\u00ae team before you move to a new business phone system is an important step. Discussions between engineering teams often open up new possibilities for unique, effective customer experiences. Multiple streams, each designed for a particular type of caller, will build your brand as one that cares and understands customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may also find that some telephone system providers falsely advise you that music on hold is unimportant, ignoring the strong customer demand for more engaging experiences. As hold times have more than doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-queue on-hold experience has become critical to business success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, 20% of EOH\u2019s customers still use files. The new EOH Content Control Center allows the arrangement of various topics and messages into easily downloaded audio files, making it easy to keep content fresh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Streaming vs. Files: There’s a big difference.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/easyonhold.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Easy-On-Hold-Stream-Schedule-Feature.png\")
From on-premise to the “cloud”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Here are some of the reasons why a streaming on hold feature is so helpful to your business:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The alternative to streaming is to use an audio file that must be uploaded into the new business phone system.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Top 5 Problems With Using Audio Files On Hold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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These hosted business phone systems only take audio files (for now):<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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New Business Phone Systems With Streaming Music On Hold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Business phone systems with streaming MOH feature:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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On-premise business phone systems with streaming MOH feature:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Easy On Hold is now integrated with Microsoft Teams Phone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Video: Learn about a better way to build a caller-on-hold experience.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n