4 Features Every Unified Communications Platform Should Include
To some, unified communications simply means that everything is connected, installed, and set up properly. However, things should go a step further than that.
At the end of the day, the ultimate goal of unified communications is to make sure that everything connects seamlessly and promotes simple, yet modern communication. But what exactly is this “everything?” In other words, what features should your communication platform include and why?
Here are 4 communication features every 21st-century business should have.
A solid phone system
Your communication platform will always begin with a phone. You simply can’t go very far without a quality connection and a desktop phone full of features. For many businesses, this means transitioning to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
With VoIP, you work on an internet connection. This means that wherever there is an internet connection, you can make and receive calls … which goes above and beyond the phone sitting on top of your desk. You can transfer office calls to a cell phone or laptop and even forward voicemails to your inbox. However, mobility isn’t the only thing VoIP is good for.
Typically, VoIP works to reduce communication costs (and drastically). Not only is it less expensive to set up and scale, but you’ll pay significantly less for long-distance calling and modern call features (like conferencing and voicemail-to-email).
An intelligent email platform
Everyone has an inbox full of emails. That’s nothing special. But what is special is an inbox that can be full of emails and still promote productive communication. For this to happen, you need an email platform that filters emails regularly, sorts and separates messages automatically and searches through hundreds of emails with ease.
But to achieve an inbox with those abilities, you’ll need the right combination of product and service. In other words:
- The platform itself should be modern and capable of growing with your business.
- You’ll need someone who can manage and customize this platform.
Quick and easy instant messaging
Sure, email is good for business … but sometimes, it can get to be a little much. And at a certain point, your inbox can actually slow down communication – which is one major reason many companies have now adopted internal instant messaging.
With services like Slack and Skype, coworkers can communicate with each other quickly, openly, and with little hassle. Within an instant message, ideas and thoughts can be shared; questions can be asked and answered, and files can be sent and received. As a result, the inbox can be saved for larger, more important matters, and it can once again become something that is scalable with your business.
User-friendly video conferencing
Back in the day, video conferencing was something only large companies had access to. And even then, it wasn’t a technology smaller companies really even needed; they could get by just fine with a phone and an inbox. But these days, expectations are a bit higher, teams are larger, and turnarounds and budgets are smaller.
Video conferencing isn’t a luxury tool saved for Fortune 500 companies. Not at all. Heck, anyone with a phone and a Facebook account can hold a quick video conference. And because this is the new normal, consumers expect more.
Your company should have the ability to handle anything from a one-on-one video call to a 10-person video conference. Some services (like Facebook Messenger) are free, but if you’re shooting for something more professional (like Slack), then you’ll have to pay for it. But typically, it’s worth every penny.
If you want to learn more about Unified Communications or if you’d like to improve your company’s communication, then reach out today.
We would love to chat and help you with any needs or questions you might have. We can provide you with professional IT services, solutions and other managed communication services.
