Help & FAQ

What is MapleReceptionist and how does it answer my calls?

MapleReceptionist is an AI receptionist that answers your business phone 24/7. It greets every caller by name, understands what they need, screens out spam, and routes the call to the right person by schedule, skill, or priority — so you never miss another call.

Can the AI receptionist book appointments?

Yes. The AI checks your availability in real time, books the slot, and sends an SMS or email confirmation. It syncs with Google Calendar and Outlook/365, so your calendar stays up to date automatically.

How does spam and robocall blocking work?

The AI analyzes caller intent and reputation in real time. Known robocalls and telemarketers are blocked instantly, and suspicious callers must answer a verification question before they get through. You stop losing time to junk calls.

Does it also handle text messages (SMS) and web chat?

Yes. Beyond calls, MapleReceptionist automatically answers text messages and chat on your website. It collects contact details, answers frequently asked questions, and escalates to your team when needed — on whichever channel the customer chose.

Can it transfer a call to a real person, and can callers still reach someone?

Absolutely. The AI handles routine calls and hands complex ones to your team with a warm transfer: the person receiving the call already knows the caller's name, the reason, and any info collected before they pick up. You can route to any phone number, a cell, a landline, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom.

Do I get call transcripts and summaries?

Yes. Every call is logged with a summary, the caller's details, their intent, and next steps. When a call goes to voicemail, the transcript is delivered to you instantly by SMS or email — no more digging through recordings.

How can I track calls and missed calls?

Your online dashboard shows call volumes, answer rate, spam blocked, appointments booked, and lead conversions. If a call is not completed, the AI captures the contact and triggers an automatic missed-call follow-up by SMS or email so the lead is not lost.

Does it integrate with my calendar and CRM?

Yes. MapleReceptionist connects to Google Calendar, Outlook/365, and MapleWorkSuite, and drops call notes and summaries straight into your CRM or helpdesk. Webhooks and an API are also available to connect your own tools.

Can it handle multiple phone numbers or locations?

Yes. Each location or department can have its own Canadian phone number, greeting, hours, and routing rules, all managed from one dashboard. Ideal for multi-location and multi-team businesses.

Can I also make outbound calls from the browser?

Yes, on higher plans. A built-in browser-based dialer (WebRTC) lets you make and take business calls right from your dashboard, with no extra phone hardware.

What happens after hours?

The AI keeps answering 24/7. After you close, it takes messages, books appointments for the next business day, provides basic information, and offers the emergency escalation paths you define. You capture revenue you used to lose in the evenings and on weekends.

Is it really bilingual (English and French)?

Yes. The AI greets and converses in both English and French and switches automatically based on the caller. You customize the greeting, tone, and terminology for each language independently — a real Canadian advantage.

How long does setup take?

Most businesses are live within a few hours. We handle the configuration of your greeting, routing rules, and calendar integrations. You just forward your number.

Is there a free trial or a way to try it for free?

Yes. You can talk to the AI receptionist for free right now using the live demo on this page — no credit card required. You can also request a 3-day free trial with your own business number. Creating a MapleWorkSuite account to explore the dashboard is free; you only pay once you put your AI receptionist live.

Is MapleReceptionist Canadian, and does my data stay in Canada?

Yes. MapleReceptionist is built, owned, and operated in Canada by Joel & Nanz Inc. (New Brunswick), hosted on Canadian servers, and PIPEDA-compliant. Support and billing are Canadian, and your data and your callers' data stay in Canada — never sold or shared with third parties.

How much does it cost, and what are the plans?

There are four plans, all in Canadian dollars: Solo at $25/mo, Starter at $60/mo, Business at $99/mo, and Team-Pro at $199/mo. Every plan includes bilingual EN/FR, Canadian hosting, and PIPEDA compliance — no hidden add-ons. Pricing and exactly what each plan includes are public on the pricing page.

How many call minutes are included in my plan?

Each plan includes a monthly allotment of AI talk-time minutes that scales up with the plan. Most small businesses stay comfortably within their plan's allotment. Your dashboard shows usage in real time, and if you approach the limit you can move up a plan in one click — no bill-shock surprises.

What happens if I go over my included minutes?

You are never cut off mid-call. If you exceed your allotment, extra minutes are billed at a clear per-minute rate, or you can simply move up to a higher plan if you regularly go over. Everything is shown up front in the dashboard — no hidden fees.

Can I port my existing business number?

Yes. You can keep your existing business number two ways: port it over to us (porting typically takes a few days to two weeks depending on your current carrier), or simply forward your calls to MapleReceptionist in minutes without changing anything at your carrier. Most customers start with call forwarding and port the number later if they want to.

I'm switching from another answering service or virtual receptionist — is it hard?

No. The switch is designed to be painless: you keep your number (by forwarding or porting), we recreate your greeting script and routing rules, and you can run both in parallel for a few days to validate before cutting over fully. There is no long-term contract, so there is no risk in trying it.

How are emergencies and urgent calls handled?

You define what counts as an emergency for your business. The AI recognizes those situations, follows your escalation tree (for example, transfer immediately to the on-call person, send an alert SMS, or ring an emergency number), and reassures the caller that help is coming. Ideal for garages with towing, after-hours HVAC, and clinics.

Are calls recorded, and is that compliant with Canadian law?

Recordings and transcripts are optional and under your control. When enabled, callers receive the appropriate notice in line with PIPEDA, and all data stays hosted in Canada. You decide what is kept, for how long, and nothing is ever sold or shared with third parties.

Does it sound robotic, or like a real person?

The AI receptionist speaks in a natural, conversational voice, pauses like a person, and understands plain language — not a "press 1" menu. You choose the voice, tone, and style, and the best way to judge is to try it: use the live demo on this page to hear it yourself, free.

Can I customize what the receptionist says and tailor it to my industry?

Yes. You fully customize the greeting, qualifying questions, FAQ answers, and routing rules — in both languages. We provide ready-made templates for dental, garage/auto, law, HVAC, property management, and home services that you can adjust to exactly how your business works.