Multiple virtual phone numbers redirecting to one number?

[AOK]

I'm looking to start a business in about 6 months and looking into systems / software etc which I'll need to make it work.

I need some sort of solution whereby I can have 5 or 6 seperate phone numbers (non premium rate) which automatically redirect to my primary work/mobile number. They can be 078 style mobile numbers, 0208 etc I don't mind.

By having these 6 'magic' numbers saved in my phonebook on my main mobile, I can know which marketing campaign the customer has seen before I even answer the phone. This is critical (don't ask!).

It is important that a) the calls redirect instantly (there is no change in dial tone / pre recorded message) and b) I have scope to add numbers as the business grows.

The best I can come up with is having 5 or 6 seperate PAYG mobiles plugged to the wall permanently with call forwarding set up!! But surely there is a more elegant solution!?

Thanks in advance!

[Mr E]

Sounds like something a VoIP solution could easily do.

It's probably about 8 lines of asterisk config, but I suspect you'd not want the bother.

A VoIP provider (someone like sipgate) should be able to do what you want.

[andyb28]

You might get away with using http://www.switchboardfree.co.uk

[AOK]

Cheers gents. Some good steers there. I will post here if I find anything else.

[VX Foxy]

http://www.rock-sys.co.uk/about
Dan is a PHer and helped me with a very good deal.

[kev1974]

I'm not sure I see how saving the numbers that people are going to call, into your mobile that you're answering on, will necessarily tell you which of the six numbers they called. Your mobile will just show you the number they called FROM surely, not the number they called TO?

I've seen desk phone setups in the past that could tell you what number the caller called before you answered it, and no doubt modern office voip setups can as well, but not sure about doing it on a mobile.

Edited by kev1974 on Saturday 4th April 03:44

[NorthDave]

You can easily do this with VOIP. We use voipfone.co.uk to do ours, its cheap and just works.

With most VOIP people you can have the number which has been called or the clients number passed to you.

[jammy_basturd]

Twilio can and will do this very cheaply and easily. Chop and change numbers as and when you like and set it all up yourself.

[Bullett]

We used to use something called whispers in the cal centre. Essentially you get a short message before the caller is connected telling you what line or promotion they are calling about. This mostly die out with more effective CTI but it would solve your issue. I did a quick google and I found these people http://www.technovox.co.uk/whisper-tones who seem to do what I am talking about.

I have no affiliation. I suspect a similar technology is available from other providers.

[AOK]

Thanks all. Some great steers there which I'll look into

Bullett said:

We used to use something called whispers in the cal centre. Essentially you get a short message before the caller is connected telling you what line or promotion they are calling about. This mostly die out with more effective CTI but it would solve your issue. I did a quick google and I found these people http://www.technovox.co.uk/whisper-tones who seem to do what I am talking about.

I have no affiliation. I suspect a similar technology is available from other providers.

This certainly sounds promising. It's the closest solution I've seen (thus far) which fulfils my needs.

[WilliamWoollard]

I use these currently: http://www.virtuallylocal.co.uk/

I've got about 6 numbers all seamlessly forwarding to my land line. Will you be able to answer and deal with every call, or will you be returning calls? I have found that people are reluctant to answer when you phone them back from a non local area code.