Review Overview
AccessDirect has been bringing affordable hosted PBX services to all types of businesses since 1997. From their offices in Kansas City, the company uses its own high-quality PBX phone systems and exceptional customer service to keep their business moving forward. They keep operating costs down by not using a sales force or expensive advertising campaigns. Instead, the business grows due to happy customers referring the services to others.
The mission at AccessDirect is to help small businesses realize the benefits of a professional phone system, without the complicated equipment, hassle or expense of such a system. They provide a full suite of features to give your business a professional presence. Even though it is not a large company, it offers the same cutting-edge technology as the bigger players, and their system is completely compatible with VoIP. The company runs its own private, hosted PBX system in a secure telecommunications facility.
Features
AccessDirect offers a variety of products and pricing plans. To help you choose the one that is just right for your businss, they offer a special “Help Me Select” feature. This features takes you through a series of questions to help you decide exactly what your business needs.
The main standard features include:
- Auto attendant
- Hosted PBX system
- Fax and fax to email
- Voice mail and voice to email
- Find me/Follow me
- Professional custom greeting
- Multiple extensions
- Local and toll free numbers
- Disaster recovery
- Caller Id and call forwarding
- Simultaneous calls
- Text notifications
Ease of Setup
Setup is quick and easy. There isn’t any complicated software to install, and a team member will walk you through the process one step at a time. Your system can be setup in as little as 24 hours, right over the phone and through email. Once the setup is complete, you can make any changes you like using the intuitive web administration system, or you can have a trained consultant help you customize your program to suit your needs.
Customer Support
The exceptional customer support is what sets AccessDirect apart from its competition. Live chat and phone support is available during normal working hours, and after hours emergency service is always available. The company has a blog where you can find all the latest news and a complete FAQ section. You can also send an email.
Plans and Pricing
Direct Messaging – Single User
- $9.95 per month when paid annually
- 150 minutes included
- 5.9 cents per additional minute
Or – Single User
- $19.95 per month
- 300 minutes included
- 5.9 cents per additional minute
Direct Executive – For on-the-go business owners
Single user
- $19.95 per month
- 300 minutes included
- 5.9 cents per additional minute
Direct Receptionist – Complete small business phone system
DR1 – $27.95 per month
- 3 extensions
- 500 minutes included
- 5.9 cents per additional minute
DR2 – $39.95 per month
- 5 extensions
- 1500 minutes included
- 5.9 cents per additional minute
DR3 – $59.95 per month
- 10 extensions
- 2500 minutes included
- 4.9 cents per additional minute
DR4 – $99.95 per month
- 25 extensions
- 4000 minutes included
- 3.9 cents per additional minute
Each package includes a local or toll free number. Each additional number is $9.95 per month.
Direct Enterprise – Full featured phone system
DE 1 – $99.95 per month
- 25 lines
- 4000 minutes included
- 3.9 cents per additional minute
DE 2 – $199.95 per month
- 50 extensions
- 7500 minutes included
- 3.9 cents per additional minute
DE 3 – $399.95 per month
- 100 extensions
- 15000 minutes included
- 3.9 cents per additional minute
All plans let you transfer your current phone or fax number, or choose a new one.
Pros
AccessDirect provides live customer support. When you set up your system, you can have a live person helping you every step of the way. Ongoing support is always available to help you make changes to your phone system as your business needs change.
Cons
Not all plans include all features. For more advanced features such as accessing the system from anywhere, auto-attendant and multiple extensions, you have to buy one of the more expensive plans. Overall, the service is good, but a little on the expensive side, especially if you have employees.
Conclusion
AccessDirect has been in business for more than a decade, so you don’t have to worry about them disappearing anytime soon. They have built their company and reputation on a sound business plan and excellent customer support. The company stands behind their products and their customers, and are available to help in any way. Although the full featured plans are quite expensive, most businesses find the service very affordable.
