Jennifer M. Cronkhite

This blog was originally published on 5/10/22 and has been updated for relevance. When you hear the term ‘patching’ it usually refers to connecting or ‘bridging’ two people together by phone other than yourself. ‘Patching’ is a term used by call center agents, switchboard operators, virtual receptionists, and after-hours emergency dispatchers.

Ambs Call Center is humbled to accept the exclusive ATSI 2021 Diamond Plus Award of Excellence for best answering service. This annual award is presented by the Association of TeleServices International (ATSI) an industry trade association for telephone answering service providers. Now an 18-time winner overall and 11 consecutive year winner, Ambs Call Center was presented with the award at ATSI’s 2021 conference in Kansas City, MO.

Which is better, using a telephone answering service or a virtual assistant? Well, no one can answer that question except for you. In fact, the real question is, “Which style of support is best for you?” To gain some clarity, you must understand the basics of each style and then determine your needs. Which is why you should continue reading this article. You'll learn about answering services, virtual assistants and call centers. Then we'll walk you through some basic questions to determine your needs. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how to choose the right service for your business.

There are many reasons for business owners to consider hiring a