Microsoft's computerized switchboard

PhoneOperator Robert Scoble talks about the automated answering system that we have at Microsoft:

Microsoft has a better switchboard than Google

"Have you ever tried to call someone at Microsoft or Google? I have. I’ve even memorized Microsoft’s number but won’t give it here cause I’d hate for Jeff Sandquist to get a ton of crank calls. Anyway, both Microsoft and Google have switchboard numbers. Today I called someone (or tried to, anyway) at Google and found the experience to be far less useful than when you try to call someone at Microsoft. By the way, at both companies all you need is someone’s name. Yeah, calling Bill Gates or Eric Schmidt probably won’t prove fruitful, but try someone deep down in the bowels of the company and you’ll probably get right through."

We dogfooded the system and slowly it became as good a system as it is today. It is strange to hear the automated 'Bill Gates' answering your call to reach someone inside the company. I do really like the system now and don't even try to memorize any internal phone numbers anymore.

Robert also has a podcast site now.

Comments

  • Last updated on