NEW `VOICE MAIL' SERVICE OPENS IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

William R. Vickery of Cape Girardeau has opened a "voice mail" service for the area.

"Voice Mail is a voice-activated system that allows individuals to call a central phone number, enter an identification code, and leave or retrieve their messages," Vickery said. "And for additional flexibility the system can forward message to another local phone number automatically."

He said the system helps reduce "telephone tag," in which callers exchange messages but do not get through to the person being called. "The telephone is a wonderful business tool but its weakness is that it requires both the caller and the person being called to be present at the same time," Vickery said.

"Each member on the system is assigned a voice 'mail box' which is identified by an identification code. The member will give this code along with the central system central phone number to clients, friends, etc. who will now be able to leave him messages 24 hours a day seven days a week."

The system allows anyone to leave a message but only the mail box user to retrieve the messages through use of a confidential password. The service is available on a per month rental basis. Users need a telephone with push button tone capability. Vickery can be reached at 334-4922, option four, or writing P.O. Box 1104, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-1104.

He was formerly vice president of marketing with Colonial Federal Savings and Loan Association of Cape Girardeau.