Never miss another call! Call for a FREE quote 412-571-2630

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.

Is using PTAS more cost effective than hiring a receptionist?

A.

By selecting PTAS, you will pay less than 1/3 of the cost of employing a full-time receptionist and save on hidden administrative costs associated with maintaining an employee. In addition to the employee's salary, you will save on: medical benefits, workers compensation insurance & potential claims, social security contributions, human resources administration and time spent managing the employee. In addition, an employee will have vacation days, sick days, and time off for personal reasons, weekends off, holidays off and time away from answering phones for their lunch hour. Contact us for a detailed cost savings analysis.

Q.

What makes your service different from the rest?

A.

Our people. We take the time to gain a deep understanding of your business and allow you to educate us as to the needs of your business and your callers. Our goal is to operate as an extension of your own staff so that your callers will think that our people are receptionists sitting in your office. Our operators are experienced in your type of business equipped with your industry terminology and protocol. We take the service that we provide a step further than the rest. Rather than passive receivers of information we are active, skilled professionals trained to manage your calls just as you would.

Q.

How can I receive my messages?

A.

You will receive your messages that will include customized information that you want us to capture from your callers in any number of formats including: e-mail, fax, text message, alpha pager or voicemail. You may also call us to retrieve your messages - free of charge.

Q.

How often will I receive e-mailed or faxed messages?

A.

You can receive your messages as we take each call or, to be most cost effective, we can "batch" your messages and send them to you every morning at the same time each day or a few times each day as you desire.

Q.

If a call is urgent, can it be directed to me immediately?

A.

Yes. A live call that is of an urgent nature can be patched directly to you on your office or cell phone. When we set up your account we will ask you what type of situations constitute an emergency where you would want a live call patched to you.

Q.

What are my call forwarding options?

A.

All call forwarding options are set up through your phone company. Standard call forwarding allows you to control when your phones are forwarded by dialing *72 to forward and *73 to "take your lines back" and remove call forwarding. This option gives you flexibility to forward on an as-needed basis or at specific times of the day or night. Ultra-call forwarding allows you to forward your lines from any phone number. For example, you may have left the office and forgot to forward the phones. With ultra-call forwarding you could forward your office phones from your cell phone. Fixed call forwarding causes your phones to forward to our service after a fixed number of rings. This way, if you are on the phone and cannot get to another line, if all of your lines are busy or if you simply are away from your phone and are unable to answer your line, your call will automatically forward to our service so that a live voice always answers.

Q.

During what hours can you answer our phones?

A.

Our live receptionists will answer your phones 24/7, 365 days a year. On weekends, evenings and holidays when your office is closed we will be there to capture important calls to keep you in touch with your clients, customers or patients. We can also answer your lines while you are open for business but unavailable - such as during company-wide meetings or luncheons.