Everything you need to know about Direct Inward Dialing (DID)

If a phone service provider links multiple phone numbers to your business’s Private Branch Exchange, this process is known as Direct Inward Dialing (DID).

Companies can set up virtual numbers that can dial straight to a particular desk extension or collection of extensions in the place of the main reception lines. Also, local, premium-rate, and even toll-free numbers can all be utilized with DID.

The features of direct dial numbers are also termed direct dials and direct dial-ins. The conveyable meaning of DID is to call you at your direct number. There is one more option in relative comparison to DID is DOD (Direct Outward Calling). In general, it is used to make outgoing calls from your office phone system.

What does a DID number do?

These direct-dial numbers appear to be like any other regular phone number to anyone. But DID, in contrast, is a Virtual number that is capable of connecting the call directly to a location or extension within your business. These direct dial numbers are able to route incoming calls to the phone system of a company. And, this direct number serves the purpose of forwarding callers to a certain user. The business phone solution is in charge of managing this particular call routing.

Functions of DID Numbers:

Direct Inward Dialing (DID) is not a new service for businesses. In the old days, DID operate through PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) lines or, in some cases VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). 

DID with PSTN:

Direct dial feature in the earlier times of telephone systems was completely based on analog circuitry to work. 

For the phones in the system to function, there is a need for low-voltage signals to be from the customer’s equipment. 

The Central Office of the telephone company would assess and find if the line was working and shut down the circuit if it wasn’t terminating correctly.

For call routing and signaling, the CO is the only option for these analog lines to rely on. DID service trunks are unidirectional. Therefore, it is to understand that combining the trunks with DOD is not a new thing. 

This makes sure that the direct dial line can make outgoing calls and simultaneously be recognized by its particular DID phone number. With time, DID has been made accessible through PRI circuits by conventional phone carriers. 

For this to be done, there is a need for sufficient trunk lines rented from the phone company for these.

DID with Cloud Telephony:

With the help of SIP trunking, cloud telephony is the most cutting-edge and forgiving method of using virtual direct-dial numbers. The trunk line connections are made accessible through SIP on the requirement. These create virtual links over the broadband that are used on the necessity and are not actual lines.

There is an internal set-up of the virtual links, linked by the respective software, that binds the numbers to your extensions. Then, you can do it yourself, or you can contact your cloud service provider to handle it.

But, it was different in the old days as it used to take weeks to set this up. Additionally, this set is quite expensive. 

As a business leader or a manager, it is essential to understand that business phone services have many capabilities that take time to become familiar with but you can easily know them while using them. Fortunately, the majority of business phone providers can give onboarding and assistance with good knowledge. This can offer more than what customary service suppliers provide you.

Direct Inward Dialing Uses:

Assume you have previously burned through a specific measure of cash on a gathering framework. Now, consider whether it is truly the most practical strategy for managing incoming calls. In the past, you might want a potential customer to contact your sales department right away rather than using the phone menu or the receptionist.

Consider directing corporate customers in a different direction from small business customers. In case you have separate lines for customer service and other departments, using DID can present you with the best benefits. This is especially true when a business phone solution with a lot of features is used.

However, DID might not be the best option for your business in some situations. Your choice of DID may also be influenced by limited employee availability. Also, it is important to be aware that your business needs to decide how important it is for clients, vendors, and customers to contact departments directly.

Ten benefits of using direct dialing

Benefits of Direct Dialing: 

Affordability: 

Using DID, you can connect your company’s network with fewer trunk lines.

You can also forward DIDs to multiple continents using a VoIP system to avoid paying long-distance fees.

Saves time: 

By routing calls directly to the individual, as opposed to a receptionist or phone menu.

Clients are more likely to follow up with an agent when they have a single number.

Customer Satisfaction: 

When customers require assistance, it is simple for them to get in touch with staff.

That might be exceptional in terms of the customer experience.

Team Interaction: 

Through a designated extension, members of the team can still communicate with one another, even if they are located in different buildings, cities, or even countries.

Local numbers: 

The majority of people prefer to call local numbers. An example of this is for customers in those markets, a large-scale company with resources can set up a phone line in desired hubs.

Existing Hardware: 

You won’t necessarily need to purchase and install new hardware because cloud telephony direct dial-ins take place via a digital network.

Automated call forwarding: 

Without the consumer being aware of the secret numbers, it is possible to set up the direct dial line so that it can automatically forward incoming calls to registered mobile phones or other numbers.

Flexibility: 

With DID, you can choose your operations from anywhere, anytime more freely. Remember that today’s business world needs a flexible calling solution that is necessary for a mobile workforce. Factually, you can create a more effective business phone service by combining the benefits of cloud telephony, DID, and SIP Trunking with mobile devices, document sharing, and texting.

Time Setting:

You can automatically forward the calls to other numbers at predetermined times using the time settings. 

Particularly for international teams, this is impressive for after-hours help for various time zones.

Marketing: 

You may accurately track the performance of every marketing campaign. For this, you must allocate various numbers.

Conclusion: 

Summarizing this discussion about the Direct Dialing feature, it is always preferable to give your clients and suppliers a Direct Inward Dialing phone number. Because it enables them to contact specific employees and divisions inside your business as per their requirements. Besides, DID can make the incoming callers not wait in the call queues.

Getting one or, if needed, a few business phone numbers should be the first step. Any existing phone numbers can be transferred using the porting. It can be done through the administrator dashboard if you want to assign phone numbers to the agents.

For more information about the business phone services or to subscribe to our affordable and personalized plans.

Vitel Global India promises the highest uptime simple system administration and quick addition of new members from anywhere in the world. Additionally, all of your staff can connect easily regardless of the devices they each use. Why not request a demo today?