Google makes it easy by keeping you and your coworkers connected everywhere you go on any device. Now with Google Voice generally available in Canada, you can start making business calls more effectively with the same logic. Since May 2020, Google has made Google Voice available to Canadian Google Workspace users, adding it to the collection of Google apps. Like the rest of Google apps, they work seamlessly together. This would be the same for Google Voice.
What does Google Voice Do?
Currently, Canadian Google Workspace users are able to sign up with Google Voice by selecting one of the 3 different levels of licenses:
- Starter (CAD$13.32/license)*
- Standard (CAD$26.63/license)*
- Premier (CAD39.95/license)*
*Prices are adjusted to Canadian pricing.
Some key features of Google Voice Include (Canada):
- Accept and send calls within the Google Voice app whether it be on desktop or mobile
- Unlimited calls within Canada
- Reading voicemails in your email inbox
- Use a Google Voice number from any location*
- Forward calls to up to 6 phone numbers
- Do not disturb features that allow you to use your Calendar settings to handle your calls
- Keep track of calling rate billing
- Filter spam calls, and block unwanted callers
- Ring Groups**
- Phone Desk Support**
- Multi-level auto attendant**
*Not all countries support Google Voice. Click here to view the list of countries as well as how to set up Google Voice.
**Standard and Premier License only
What does each level of service mean for Canadian users?
Starter License:
- All basic features with the exception of ring groups, phone desk support, and multi-level auto attendant
A starter license is great for small businesses who are looking for a better way to handle customer phone calls.
“Having a Google Voice number gives users one number that can receive calls from all of their various phones. Users can customize their account so that when someone calls a user’s Google Voice phone number, it can ring on all of their phones, or just certain phones that a user selects.”
– WordStream
In a sense, with multiple work phones, you can have 1 designated phone number to reach you on all of your devices. At the same time, you can send calls to voicemail outside of work hours with the integration of Google Calendar. This keeps your work and personal life separate, getting the most out of your time.
Standard License:
- All key features of Google Voice listed above
With a standard license, you can start to organize your incoming calls to reach a specific team/individual within your organization. This is through the use of Multi-Level Auto Attendant feature in Google Voice. To explain, a caller would call the Google Voice number and with the auto attendant, they’ll be able to navigate through the menu to reach the correct person or team.
Watch the video below to view how Multi-Level Auto Attendant works:https://www.youtube.com/embed/mRUH3UuPa0c?start=33&feature=oembed
Additionally, with ring groups, you can specify certain team members to answer calls from the same Google Voice number. It allows members to take turns answering calls. For example, your business might have a sales staff. With ring groups, each member in the sales group will either all, individually, or randomly receive the phone call. This all depends on your settings. You can view more about ring groups here.
As for support desk phones, you can set the following supported phones with Google Voice:
- Polycom VVX 150 OBi Edition
- Polycom VVX 250 OBi Edition
- Polycom VVX 350 OBi Edition
- Polycom VVX 450 OBi Edition
You can view more about how support desk phones in Google Voice work by watching the video below:https://www.youtube.com/embed/mjmd8FUEMGU?start=69&feature=oembed
Premier License:
A Premier Google Voice License is designed for large international companies as it offers more advanced controls and features. For offices around the world, a premier license allows you to have an unlimited number of licenses no matter where you are (within the supported countries). This is the only license that will allow you to have international locations. As for the advanced features, a premier license has the ability to export voice activity to BigQuery allowing you to keep track of phone calls within your organization.
You can compare each license by checking out Google’s comparison chart here.
In summary, Google Voice is taking a step forward in the work industry by allowing you to stay connected effectively and efficiently. Cloud services are becoming a part of everyday life and with the addition of Google Voice, focusing on the important stuff is becoming easier.
Features to Keep an Eye Out For
Unfortunately, not all Google Voice features are available to Canadian Google Workspace users. This includes SMS messaging and number porting. With SMS messaging you’ll be able to use your Google Voice number to send text messages as you would with your phone. As for number porting, Google Voice allows you to import existing numbers from another carrier. We’ll keep you updated when these features become available.
Ref:
https://abweb.ca/google-workspace/what-is-google-voice-guide-for-canadian-g-suite-users/
https://support.google.com/voice/answer/115061?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en