Old-school auto attendants make callers punch through a menu tree, "for sales, press 1," and hope they picked the right option. Cannon VoIP's AI receptionist skips all of that. It answers the call, actually listens to what the caller needs, and either handles it on the spot or routes them to the right person, all in a normal back-and-forth conversation instead of a robotic script.
What an AI receptionist actually does
Think of it as a front desk that never steps away. It greets callers, understands what they're asking in plain language (no "say or press" prompts), and answers routine questions immediately, hours, location, what you offer, whether an appointment is confirmed, without pulling a person off another task. Anything it can't (or shouldn't) resolve on its own gets routed straight to the right extension or department.
What's included
What this looks like in practice
A few of the most common ways businesses put it to work:
- After-hours FAQ handling: callers get hours, location, and basic info instantly, even when your office is closed.
- No more phone tree: instead of "press 1 for sales, press 2 for support," callers just say what they need and get routed correctly.
- Fewer interruptions: repetitive questions get answered automatically, so your team isn't pulled off other work for the same five questions all day.
- Overflow backup: run it alongside your live-agent forwarding line so nothing goes unanswered during your busiest hours.
AI receptionist vs. live-agent forwarding
The AI receptionist is great at fast, simple work: answering FAQs and routing calls without making anyone wait. But most callers still prefer talking to an actual person, especially for anything that needs judgment, empathy, or a real conversation. That's why most businesses run both together: the AI receptionist handles quick questions and traffic direction, while live agents cover after-hours, overflow, and anything more involved. You don't have to choose one or the other.
Have fewer than 10 extensions but still want the AI receptionist? It's available as an add-on for a flat $65 a month, no other conditions.
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