Google Voice June 14, 2009

Google Voice Can Change Business Communications

Google Voice (formerly Grand Central) is currently only available to existing Grand Central subscribers but the rumor is that Google will be launching their service this year with the added feature of portability of existing phone numbers.

Google voice is a feature rich phone management system that can forward calls to multiple phones from one central number. This means that you can switch your mobile number to Google and then just use whatever device you happen to have in your hand to receive calls.  Outbound calls will show whatever phone number is assigned to it.   It's phone management on steroids.  The big drawback currently is that you must get a Google assigned phone number.  This entails significant switching costs and potential lost business as clients are required to update your contact information.

For me it means that I can receive calls on my mobile phone at home which has nearly non existant reception at the moment. 

It also means that if I'm at the beach, I can show the number as my office number - clients won't know the difference.

This may well be the phone management tool to organize all our contact phone numbers.  I don't know what Google is going to charge for this service but my guess is that it will be really cheap initially.  I just hope I can cost justify the $175 switching fee from ridiculous AT&T. 

 

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