We adopt technology thoughtfully, using it to improve efficiency while keeping our services personal and accessible. We call this “the humane use of technology.” Our management team has participated in National Amtelco Equipment Owners (NAEO), helped establish one of the industry’s first user groups, and chaired an early industry strategic planning session in 1991.

Our commitment to reliable, cost-effective service is reflected in long-term client relationships. On average, customers stay with our call center for more than 11 years.

Business Centers began on September 15, 1975, as a daytime answering service for sales representatives and businesses operating during regular office hours.

As more businesses moved toward around-the-clock service, we acquired All Brand Answering Service in 1981, establishing the foundation for 24/7 operations. That same year, we became one of the first companies to adopt a paperless answering system. Electronic messages reduced problems with lost records, illegible handwriting, and missed follow-ups. Paperless systems were the first of three major advances that improved the accuracy and efficiency of our services.

In the 1990s, we became the second answering service in the country to incorporate a Dictaphone call logger into its operations. Call recording was the second major advance in our service quality.

Call recording quickly became a valuable tool for our operators and clients. Recordings helped verify message accuracy, resolve questions, and provide clear documentation of customer conversations.

In 1997, we installed a system supporting caller ID, caller name display, and telephone-company call transfers. These capabilities reduced errors caused by transposed digits or incorrect callback numbers, marking the third major advance in our service accuracy.

In 2002, we upgraded our system to give operators access to SQL databases containing client notes and account information. Internet access also enabled additional services and more efficient workflows.

After two major storms affected St. Louis in 2006, we planned a building engineered to remain usable after a major storm or earthquake. We equipped it with an automatic-start propane generator capable of running critical equipment and air conditioning for approximately two weeks without refueling.

The building has two separate cable routes and an isolated concrete equipment room that supports remote operators if evacuation is necessary. Although no facility is disaster-proof, these features help us maintain dependable service during disruptions.

We are developing speech-to-text applications for use alongside our call center and as standalone services for specialized needs. This work supports our goal of providing an integrated set of call management services.