What does "Area Code Select" do for consumers in overlays?
Area Code Select provides an easy way to complete calls when customers forget and "misdial" with the old 7-digit pattern.
How does that fix a problem?
Without Area Code Select, if a 7-digit number is dialed, a message instructs callers to hang up and redial using 1 + the area code + the 7-digit telephone number.
With Area Code Select, instead of the "hang up and redial message", callers are instructed to "select" an area code by dialing a single extra digit.
How does it work?
Let's say a caller forgets, and dials a 7-digit number by mistake.
With Area Code Select a message would instruct him to:
"dial "1" for the 818 area code, or dial "2" for the 747 area code."
If the caller selects "1", the call will be completed to the 818 area code - without having to hang up and redial the full 1+10-digit number.
What if the caller selected "2"?
The call would have been completed to the 747 area code.
Why not just "hang up and redial"?
Without Area Code Select, by the time a caller misdials the original 7-digit number, hangs up and redials the full 1+10-digit number, 18 digits have been dialed - that's a lot of work, and it is the source of a lot of frustration and customer unhappiness with area code relief in general.
With Area Code Select, the total number of digits needed to complete the call is reduced to 8 - that's a savings of 10-digits - less than half the number of digits required to correct a misdial without Area Code Select.
How does Area Code Select solve problems for automatic dialing devices?
Since auto dialers are not able to hang up and redial with the proper number, they can be a source of great frustration for customers who depend on them in an overlay.
Reprogramming the auto dialer may not be practical, especially if no one remembers what the number in the auto dialer actually is.
Many people may not remember how to reprogram an auto dialer that was setup years ago, and hasn't been touched since - or perhaps a relative or friend originally programmed the auto dialer, and now that person might not be available for the reprogramming.
Area Code Select solves all of these problems since the user can complete the call by selecting the proper area code after the auto-dialer transmits its programmed 7-digit number.
What about security entry systems for apartment buildings?
In addition to the problems described above for auto dialers in general, older security entry systems may not have enough memory to hold a full 1+10-digit number. When those older systems were installed, no one foresaw the need for more than 7-digits to make a local call, making it necessary to upgrade or replace those units before reprogramming the 1+10-digit number. This upgrading / replacement process can be frustrating and expensive.
Area Code Select solves this problem as well, by again allowing the user to select the proper area code after the security entry system dials it programmed 7-digit number.
What other benefits does area code select provide?
While benefiting businesses and consumers overall, Area Code Select is particularly beneficial for the elderly, young children, and persons with disabilities that make it difficult for them to dial in the first place. Having to hang up after misdialing with a 7-digit number, and then having to redial the full 1+10-digit number can feel like torture for these special interest groups. With Area Code Select, being able to complete the call with a single extra digit would be a significant improvement.
How can I find out more about Area Code Select?
Call or email us, and we will be happy to discuss our product with you further.
(818) 999-1070 - tel (818) 956-3298 - fax gilbert@areacodeselect.com - email |
