Home Brew Music On Hold

I have heard from dozens of businesspeople who have pasted together a home brew music on hold system. Some are using iPod or CD players in repeat mode. Once in a while I hear of a re-purposed PC being used as a music player.

NCH Software makes a program that lets you use a PC with a standard sound card. While they say you can continue to use the PC for other purposes, remember the idea behind music on hold is that it plays continuously. 24-7-365. My question is, "Can you be sure your hold messages are still on?".

The NCH program, called IMS, is nifty for the handyman or woman who likes tech tinkering and might be a fun project. You can still utilize a professional music on hold producer or studio for the best sound.

The system allows real time mixing of messages and music to create an endless presentation. The manufacturer says, "the software is usually used with professionally recorded messages" but the software also allows you to record your own messages directly and simply by plugging in a microphone.

The automatic Internet connection ensures that if you are using a studio to produce your messages regularly, your messages can be uploaded automatically by your production studio.