Shoutpoint for Schools

Shoutpoint for Schools is an interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) solution that includes voice mail. Schools use our service to receive reliable and economical dial tone service in comparison to legacy phone lines. Like the T-1 and analog phone lines that it replaces, Shoutpoint for Schools is eligible for federal E-rate funding, with Service Provider Identification Number (“SPIN”) 143032646.

Shoutpoint’s interconnected VoIP lines can be used for any and all educational purposes that call for dial tone services, such as teacher outgoing lines, parent call-in lines, and uses such as attendance monitoring and emergency notifications.

When an interconnected VoIP service is combined with voice mail, and with third party offerings, highly effective communication solutions can be provided.  For example:

ATTENDANCE VOICE MAIL

Using the voice mail feature included with Shoutpoint for Schools, parents can call a specific school phone number to indicate whether their child will be absent or late. The automated voice mail system accepts the caller’s message, or the caller can speak to a live person during school business hours.

WEATHER AND ANNOUNCEMENT VOICE MAIL

By dialing a “special announcement” phone number, parents and students can hear a voice mail message whether the school will be open or closed due to weather or other conditions.  Transfer to a live person is available at any time during school business hours.

BROADCAST MESSAGING

An even closer relationship with the parent community can be achieved with telephone announcements of school events such as plays, sports, PTA meetings, and so on.  In addition, broadcast messages to homes are increasingly important today due to security concerns. Shoutpoint for Schools does not include broadcast messaging services, but our interconnected VoIP lines can implement the messaging services from third party providers.  (Broadcast messaging services are not eligible for E-rate funding.)

INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE

An interactive voice response system also can be combined with Shoutpoint for Schools to provide an automated attendance tracking system and for other automated systems that save time and money.  (Interactive voice response systems for schools are available from third party providers, and are not eligible for E-rate funding.)

“BURST MODE”

Shoutpoint for Schools VoIP service includes a “burst mode” feature. This allows the capacity of a customer’s VoIP communication to be temporarily increased during short duration traffic peaks, allowing faster communication during times that can involve particularly heavy volume. “Burst mode” allows higher performance for a smaller number of lines, and is provided at no additional cost. This makes Shoutpoint for Schools a particularly cost effective solution.

A TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTION

Utilizing Shoutpoint for Schools interconnected VoIP service in conjunction with broadcast messaging and/or interactive voice response can be a useful approach for evaluating the benefits and cost savings available from VoIP technology.  Once the reliability, quality, and economy of VoIP are experienced, customers can become more comfortable with further expansion of the service to all handsets, fax machines, and any and all requirements for dial tone services.

Click here for more information about E-rate funding.