2017 is driving a new set of business goals and priorities. Companies of all sizes, from SMEs to Fortune 1000 companies, now realize the need to integrate all their systems. They need to communicate instantly, basically making a traditional phone call the last resort. Businesses now rely on “Big Data and Analytics” reporting as well as mobility management and, of course, data security and integrity have never been more important than today.
So how can you push your systems to integrate quickly and easily while staying on the cutting edge of technology and managing the best possible customer experience?
The answer is UCaaS.
Why UCaaS? Features, integrations, and affordability!
UCaaS, or Unified Communications as a Service, is a platform that many think is simply a VoIP phone call, but it is actually much more than that. The “Unified” in unified communications describes the various ways that people and organizations interact with each other, regardless of where they are. This includes text, chat and video, online collaboration, reporting and analytics, CRM integration, mobility, presence, video on demand and voice call recording, and of course security, both physical and logical. By the way, UCaaS will make you a good call too! Plus, when you put in a low-cost “Contact Center” license, it becomes the equivalent of UCaaS on steroids. All features and services are also fully managed through world-class online portals, making immediate changes instant and painless, completely eliminating all charges for service calls and truck transfers normally. associated with a traditional PBX.
As this technology has become more common, the costs of these services have dropped dramatically. It is no longer necessary to choose an “à la carte” selection to stick to a budget, forgoing one need for another. Some of the best UCaaS services will even integrate with applications like Skype for Business, Salesforce.com, Microsoft Dynamics, and many more. Many will also allow click-to-dial from any web page, even when logged into their mobile devices through the respective UCaaS mobility apps. Most of all these features are included in a typical UCaaS solution!
Are you ready for UCaaS?
Your business likely already has the infrastructure necessary to support an enterprise-wide deployment. A typical installation will be a UCaaS phone placed on a desk, acting as a switch, running on your LAN (usually Cat 5 or better required) and then connecting to your PC (or just keep your PC wireless if you prefer) . Your current high-speed Internet circuit is likely to have more than enough capacity to handle your calls and other needs. Larger customers who want to ensure the highest quality of services on VoIP calls may choose to incorporate an MPLS service or implement a VLAN to segregate voice and data traffic on the LAN, but most of the world is more than satisfied with the current level of VoIP calls, even only over the Internet.
Yes “Customer Experience Management” is a priority for your business this year, the first place you should pay attention to make a positive change is to replace your old phone system with a next-generation UCaaS system. Expecting better results with your 20, 10, 5, or even 3 year phone system is not a strategy for success, but using the UCaaS technologies available today is.