There are many types of message on hold equipment available on the market. This article is a brief overview on equipment history and what may suit your business.  On Hold Magic have both messages on hold equipment available for both purchase and rental depending on your messages update preferences.

When considering what type of Messages On Hold (MOH) solution you need, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the type of phone system that you have. This allows you to understand the best options available for your telephony needs.

Types of messages on hold equipment. Where Did It All Start?

On Hold Music Systems has come a long way since the use of the clunky cassette tape machines to the much more simplified and smaller digital audio players such as Digital Audio Delivery Systems (DADS) and a USB Flash Drive Player.

In the past, businesses started out using cassette players to record their audio into digital format to play their messages.

On Hold Tape Player

On hold messages were later then recorded onto CDs and CD players like Sony’s portable Walkman were used.

But the problem with that was that portable CD for  players weren’t able to run 24/7 because it ran the risk of the audio track skipping or the batteries would run out.

VoIP Systems (Voice Over Internet Protocol)

Many new VoIP systems don’t need external messages on hold equipment connected. Most have an internal media storage area. The audio file is then uploaded to the internal storage area.  The disadvantage with some VoIP messages is that sometimes you don’t have direct access to update the message when you want. It can mean you become reliant on the telephony provider to do this for you. (sometimes at a charge). In this case it is worth asking how to self change the audio file or if an external message on hold player can be installed. The other disadvantage is there can be some file size and audio quality limitations. Often VoIP systems won’t allow the message to “loop” and the hold message starts from the same point every time a caller is placed on hold. The audio production on solid state messages on hold equipment can run for over four minutes and a caller can “come in” at any section of that recording when placed on hold. This keeps the production fresher for repeat callers and ads more diversity to a callers marketing offers.

Solid State Digital Audio Delivery Systems

At present, most businesses use solid state digital audio delivery systems. This can either be using compact flash cards or USB on hold message players, why is this?

Simply because it’s easy to set up and it delivers high quality audio without fail. Both of these types of equipment run well 24/7 without fail and switching to a new audio track requires minimal effort.

All that is required is for you to download your new audio track and transfer it into either a USB stick (USB Flash Drive Player) or a Flash Card (Digital Audio Delivery System) and sticking it into your audio equipment.

Digital Audio Delivery Systems (DADS)

Compact Flash On Hold Player

USB Flash Drive Player

messages on hold equipment

Both Digital Audio Delivery System and the USB Flash Drive Player are available for rental or purchase when you get your audio production done at On Hold Magic. If you do want to purchase a Digital Audio Delivery System, we sell them. Click here for details.

However, if you require two or more audio productions a year we highly recommend our more cost effective no contract rental options. This includes message on hold equipment along with regular update reminders to better emulate your marketing. For more info on our rental options feel free to contact our friendly sales team on 1300 100 333.