Skype for customer service (UK)???

DodgeCroft said: "We looking to try skype within our offices and different branches, we have the bandwidth to play. But for customer service, is anyone using it for that? Not sure what I'm taking about [url]www.skype.com[/url]. Also wanting to know if there are any problems with the quality. We're based in Mallorca, Spain and our market is pretty much the UK market. If someone could 'Skype' me so I can test it I would appreciate it. (dodgecroft) Thanks guys"

edwin said: "i haven't used it in awhile, but when i did, the quality was great! the only thing is, don't both parties have to have skype installed? that could pose a problem."

DodgeCroft said: "Yeah it is free if both parties have it but one can Skypeout now. €0.02 for a local call in the uk. Just need to figure out if one can call into the Skype network from outside, maybe an access number ie: 0044 **** dodgecroft"

Darksat said: "You might be better off with some form of livechat installed, as a lot of people dont have a headset handy while they are surfing and as far as I am aware skype dont support incomming phone calls."

DodgeCroft said: "I have found that they do offer incoming. You can get a sharecall number 0870 ***** so that could work but for any customer service center you'd need more than one person answering calls and hunting on those incoming lines."

Darksat said: "Can those 0870 numbers be called by international customers? where can I find more info on that."

DodgeCroft said: "Well that number is actually a french free call number but there seem to be the same in the uk. So I imagine it's a european number and not just in the UK. Have a look at the Skype page [url]http://support.skype.com/index.php[/url]. Answers some questions!"

Darksat said: "Thanks for the info."

DodgeCroft said: "Happy to help someone that's helped me"

edwin said: "skype is considered to be a huge threat to mosttelecom companies."

Darksat said: "Its the most popular VOIP software out there and its pretty good."

DodgeCroft said: "Yeah I've been playing with it this last weekend, easter phoning family back home, and it has work well. But for a commerial application I think a server based system would be better. In a call centre enviroment calls need to be moved around within the network and in order to do that we would have to transfer our calls externally instead of just straight to the person next to you. I was looking at some open source software, it's free and there seems to be quite a lot of support for it. BUT would need someone witha good idea of the runnings of linux to be around all the time. There's no one you can just call to come over!"

Darksat said: "What software had you in mind?"

DodgeCroft said: "The Linux software is [URL=http://www.asterisk.org/]Asterisk[/URL] . We have a linux mail server but it would be soo much easier to just pay for something. Do you have any better ideas?"

Darksat said: "Sorry no, I was just curious."