Editing Receptionist (section)

==Evolution and new technology==
Some small-to-medium-sized business owners hire a live remote receptionist in lieu of a full-time, in-house receptionist, thanks to advances in communications technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/wider-healthcare-team/careers-in-the-wider-healthcare-team/administration/receptionist/ |title=Receptionist |publisher=NHS Careers |access-date=2014-03-02}}</ref> As the phrase itself suggests, a live remote receptionist deals with phone calls for a company in another location using telephony [[Business telephone system|private branch exchange]] (PBX) servers. Most modern receptionist services can take messages, screen and forward calls, answer basic FAQs, and fill out web forms. Many services can also schedule appointments and take credit card orders. Some of the older receptionist services have been around for decades, but these often operate very differently from modern services.<ref name=old-service>{{cite news|last1=Erickson|first1=Charles|title=Longtime Stroudsburg answering service endures with old school approach|url=http://www.poconorecord.com/article/20150510/NEWS/150519965/101138/news|access-date=13 May 2015|publisher=The Pocono Record|date=May 10, 2015}}</ref>

Advances in touch screen and 2-way video technology is changing the way some receptionist work. New types of virtual video receptionist systems now allows for live, in-house or remote receptionists to manage office lobby areas from remote locations. These virtual receptionists not only answer phones but also greet walk-in visitors by utilizing a motion detection camera to "see" visitors as they enter the building. The remote receptionist is then displayed in a video window on a wall-mounted LCD, kiosk or desktop all-in-one computer. The video receptionist and visitors can then communicate via 2-way video, allowing the receptionist to manage one or many office lobby areas from a central location.

The advancement of [[office automation]] has eliminated some receptionists' jobs. For example, a telephone call could be answered by an [[automated attendant]]. However, a receptionist who possesses strong office/technical skills and who is also adept in courtesy, tact and diplomacy is still considered an asset to a company's business image, and is still very much in demand in the business world.