I was catching up on Andy Abramsom’s blog, VoIP Watch yesterday and came across a post highlighting a client of his, Seattle area startup CallButler. CallButler is the first simple to use phone system that I have seen targeting to really small businesses. Prices are affordable, starting at free if you are using Skype to a reasonable $229.95 (sale price) for a package with unlimited extensions. As of right now, you must have an always on broadband connection and use Skype or sign up with an Internet Telephone Service Provider to run the software and accept/place calls. According their FAQ, they do plan on offering an online version, CallButler Live later this year.

A few of the features from their website:

• Get a business number in minutes, instead of giving out your home or mobile number.
• Take customer calls 24×365 and automatically answer common questions in multiple languages.
• Transfer callers to people on VoIP, mobile, and land-based telephones.
• Give callers access to a Dial-By-Name directory of extensions.
• Play hold music for your callers while CallButler finds you at one of your telephone numbers.
• Have your own voicemail system with Email and Outlook integration.
• Integrate your phone system with databases and other applications.

I tried out the free CallButler version for Skype, it was easy to get up and running. They provided examples to work from, it would be easy for even those who aren’t technical to get it up and running. My only hesitation is the fact that it depends on an always-on computer and Internet connection, I am not sure if that configuration would be reliable enough to receive calls on the main church number just yet. My experience with running on VoIP across the Internet has been mixed, with a lot of factors that could possible degrade service (although VoIP on managed networks works great). I think the real potential here is when they release their hosted, CallButler Live, service. With a hosted service, you can rely on a manged infrastructure to accept and route your calls across VoIP, mobile and land-based networks. That way, if your Internet connection is acting up one day, you could simply route calls to your cell phone or backup land lines.

Overall, I am impressed with the easy of setup and use, I think CallButler fills a much needed gap in the VoIP PBX market.

Review by Smallbiztechnology.com:
Call Butler – Software Based Telephone System with Virtual Flexibility