Answering machines: Role in cloud telephony | NFON Knowledgebase [Contact](# "Contact") ![](/web-assets/f/290788/40x40/d98615a3ea/nfon-sales-contact.svg) Sales & General * [Talk to Sales](tel:+498000636624) * [Write to us](/en/request-information) Search * [![Products](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/40x40/539cd331b9/nfon-products.svg) Products](#) Call & Work ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) + [Cloud Telephony](/en/products/cloud-telephony/) + [SIP Trunk](/en/products/enablement/) + [Devices](/en/products/devices) Build & Automate ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) + [Assistants](/en/products/ai/assistants) + [Bots](/en/products/ai/bots) + [AI Agent Studio](/en/products/ai/agent-studio) Engage & Support ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) + [Contact Center](/en/products/customer-contact/) Integrations & Add ons + [Integrations & Add ons](/en/integrations/) * [![Solutions](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/40x40/da156cbbb8/nfon-solutions-industries.svg) Solutions](#) Industries + [Health & Wellness](/en/solutions/health-wellness) + [Retail & E-Commerce](/en/solutions/retail) + [Finance & Legal](/en/solutions/finance-insurance) + [Travel & Hospitality](/en/solutions/hospitality) + [Public Sector](/en/solutions/public-sector) + [Energy](/en/solutions/energy) Success stories + [Customer Stories](/en/customer-stories/) * [![Partnerships](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/36x36/7bd105c67d/nfon-partner.svg) Partnerships](#) Partner with NFON + [Become a partner](/en/partner/become-partner) + [NGAGE](/en/partner/partner-programme) Partner Portal + [Partner Portal](https://partners.nfon.com/) * [![Help Centre](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/40x40/d01fbb4f30/help-nfon.svg) Help Centre](/en/help-center) * [Login](https://start.cloudya.com/ "Login") * International + [International](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/answering-machine) + [Deutschland](/de) + [España](/es) + [France](/fr) + [Italia](/it) + [Österreich](/at) + [Polska](/pl) + [Portugal](/pt) + [United Kingdom](/gb) [![NFON Logo](/assets/logo-nfon.svg)](/en/ "NFON Home") * [Products](#) ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/a9f3ceed6f/nfon-call-work.svg) Call & Work ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Seamless communication ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/d03c61cf40/nfon-build-automate.svg) Build & Automate ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) AI Automation ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/106823b73b/nfon-engage-support.svg) Engage & Support ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Omnichannel support ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/50b60f5411/nfon-integrations-add-ons.svg) Integrations & Add ons Connect Teams & CRMs + [![](/images/products-call-work-cloudteleophny-navbar-int_Fjf8b.webp) ### Cloud Telephony ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Seamless cloud telephony for every device. High-fidelity audio with European-grade security.](/en/products/cloud-telephony/) + [![](/images/products-call-work-siptrunk-navbar-int_ZH5NzW.webp) ### SIP Trunk Secure cloud connectivity for your existing hardware. Scales instantly with your business.](/en/products/enablement/) + [![](/images/products-call-work-devices-navbar-int_Z2dP6.webp) ### Devices Professional telephones and hardware designed for clear calls and all-day comfort.](/en/products/devices) + [![](/images/products-build-automate-assistants-navbar-int_2ghUIJ.webp) ### Assistants ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Pre-configured, plug-and-play digital roles like FrontDesk and Workdesk. Ready to deploy instantly with zero coding required.](/en/products/ai/assistants) + [![](/images/products-build-automate-bots-navbar-int_Z1p57Vm.webp) ### Bots ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Prompt-driven, multi-channel conversational experiences. Automate custom customer journeys across Web Chat, Voice, and Livechat.](/en/products/ai/bots) + [![A chatbot creation interface is shown with a readiness message, build report, agent prompt details, and created tools list, over a gradient background.](/images/products-build-agent-studio-navbar-int_Z1Y88dE.webp) ### AI Agent Studio ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Simply turn your ideas into AI agents for your business. Describe the task, create a working agent, then optimize it in one workspace.](/en/products/ai/agent-studio) + [![](/images/products-engage-support-navbar-int_1xyFBE.webp) ### Contact Center ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp) Omnichannel customer service for modern teams. Manage conversations, automation, AI assistance, and customer context.](/en/products/customer-contact/) + [![](/images/products-integrations-addons-navbar-int_Z1Ka5ea.webp) ### Integrations & Add ons Expand your capabilities and natively connect your everyday business to keep all workflows unified.](/en/integrations/) * [Solutions](#) ![](/web-assets/f/290788/40x40/da156cbbb8/nfon-solutions-industries.svg) Industries Tailored solutions ![](/web-assets/f/290788/40x40/155f2a989d/nfon-success.svg) Success stories 54,000+ trust us + [![](/images/solutions-health-wellness-navbar-int_Z15q3kJ.webp) ### Health & Wellness Secure communication for better patient experiences and care delivery.](/en/solutions/health-wellness) + [![](/images/solutions-retail-ecommerce-navbar-int_zUgjw.webp) ### Retail & E-Commerce Connected communication for modern retail and customer engagement.](/en/solutions/retail) + [![](/images/solutions-finance-legal-navbar-int_1Dy5Ax.webp) ### Finance & Legal Trusted communication for regulated and security-conscious organizations.](/en/solutions/finance-insurance) + [![](/images/solutions-hospitality-travel-navbar-int_17WoBe.webp) ### Travel & Hospitality Seamless communication for exceptional guest experiences and service.](/en/solutions/hospitality) + [![](/images/solutions-publicsector-navbar-int_YyABB.webp) ### Public Sector Reliable communication for responsive public services and citizen support.](/en/solutions/public-sector) + [![](/images/solutions-energy-navbar_FDoix.webp) ### Energy Reliable communication for responsive customer service, even during outages and peak demand.](/en/solutions/energy) + [![](/images/solutions-costumerstroy-navbar-int_Z1MdOsM.webp) ### Customer Stories Real-world impact across every industry. Explore how we solve complex communication challenges for Europe’s leading brands.](/en/customer-stories/) * [Partnerships](#) ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/7bd105c67d/nfon-partner.svg) Partner with NFON Join the NFON network ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/8c5c9a9c78/nfon-partner-portal.svg) Partner Portal Existing partner login + [![](/images/partnerships-partner-navbar-int_ZHYGKx.webp) ### Become a partner From onboarding to co-branded marketing, we provide the tools you need to win.](/en/partner/become-partner) + [![](/images/partnerships-ngage-navbar-int_Zs3yY9.webp) ### NGAGE Discover our tiered rewards system designed to help you scale your business and revenue.](/en/partner/partner-programme) + [![](/images/partnerships-partnerportal-navbar-int_2ki451.webp) ### Partner Portal Access partner tools, deal registration, training resources, and program benefits in one place.](https://partners.nfon.com/) * [Help Centre](/en/help-center) * Search * [Login](https://start.cloudya.com/ "Login") * en + [International](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/answering-machine) + [Deutschland](/de) + [España](/es) + [France](/fr) + [Italia](/it) + [Österreich](/at) + [Polska](/pl) + [Portugal](/pt) + [United Kingdom](/gb) * [Contact](#) [Contact](# "Contact") + ![](/web-assets/f/290788/40x40/d98615a3ea/nfon-sales-contact.svg) Sales & General Get in touch with us. ![](/images/getstarted-talktosales-navbar-int_ZMspQ4.webp) ### Talk to Sales Get a free consultation to see how NFON products can meet your needs. [+49 8000 – 63 66 24](tel:+498000636624 "+49 8000 – 63 66 24
") ![](/images/getstarted-writetous-navbar-int_ZY7MOf.webp) ### Write to us Fill out our request form. Our experts will respond as soon as possible. [Write to us](/en/request-information "Write to us") ### Answering machine [Answering machine within a terminal device](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/answering-machine#section-3) [Answering machine in the telephone network or the cloud](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/answering-machine#section-4) [Special features](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/answering-machine#section-5) An answering machine is able to accept missed calls and greet the caller with a personalised message. After the message is played it provides the option to leave a message which the called person can listen to on their return. The call acceptance by the answering machine can be configured in a number of ways: Answering machines can be set so that they only play a short message, without a subsequent recording option. They can answer every call immediately or after a certain number of rings. They can also be set so that no calls will be accepted. Modern answering machines are also able to store fax calls so that they are available for later retrieval or printing out. The earliest devices were equipped with magnetic audio tape, on which the welcome messages and caller messages were stored. Modern answering machines are almost exclusively equipped with digital storage. ### Answering machine within a terminal device Today, answering machines are often built into a telephone. With many cordless [DECT](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/dect) telephones, the answering machine function is integrated in to the DECT base. For the device to be ready for use, it must be connected to the telephone network and activated. Alternatively, separate answering machines can be connected as external devices between a telephone and the telephone line. ### Answering machine in the telephone network or the cloud Increasingly, the answering machine is no longer a separate physical device, but it is provided as a feature by the telephone network provider. The answering machine stores messages and data on central servers, and can be enabled and configured through the local phone. Messages are listen to via the telephone. This solution offers the advantage that no separate answering machine is required at the customer's home. The function is independent of whether the actual connection is available and can, for example, record messages when there is a local fault on the telephone or line. The modern [Voice over IP telephony](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/voice-over-ip) and cloud [PBX](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/private-branch-exchange-pbx) systems mostly provide answering machine features centrally in the form of a voicemail box as standard. Thanks to the linking of computers and telephones through Internet technology these answering machines can now offer numerous additional functions. ### Special features Central network mailboxes, and also local answering machines, can usually be accessed remotely. By calling the device and entering a secret PIN recorded messages can be retrieved from any telephone. The signalling that messages have been received is done on a local display. Central voicemail systems alert by telephone call, or by an electronic text message. Modern solutions are able to send an audio message as an email attachment to any email address. ### Related Articles ### DECT [DECT](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/dect) [Back](#) ![NFON Logo](/assets/logo-nfon.svg) News * [Events](https://www.nfon.com/en/news/events) * [Press](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/communication/) Customers * [Cloudya Login](https://start.cloudya.com/auth/login) * [Admin Portal](https://admin.nfon.com/) * [NFON Status](https://status.nfon.com/) About NFON * [Corporate](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/) * [Investor Relations](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/investor-relations/ir-at-a-glance/) * [Sustainability & ESG](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/sustainability/) * [Career](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/careers/) Legal * [GTC-SLA](/en/legal/gtc-sla) * [Legal Notice](/en/legal/legal-notice) * [Trust Center](https://www.nfon.com/en/trust-center/) * [Data Protection](/en/legal/data-protection) * [Cookie Settings](javascript:onclick=UC_UI.showSecondLayer()) © 2026 - NFON | All rights reserved.