We live in a society in which we are more connected than ever before. It is only natural that our propensity toward constant communication transforms the way that we work as well. As many companies find themselves with employees and clients in various locations, it is crucial that we can communicate with one another effectively. To streamline communication operations, unified communication (UC) solutions have risen in popularity. Unified communications integrate separate channels into a cloud-based platform to simplify use.
An investment in unified communication solutions will improve your company's operations across the board. The benefits of unified communications are indisputable, from reduced communication costs to improved customer satisfaction and seamless collaboration between team members. Read on to discover the many benefits of unified communication technology for business.
What Are Unified Communications?
Finding the proper way to deliver a message between your business and your clients is critical to success. As technology evolves, the use of unified communications increases — and your company can't afford to be left behind.
Unified communication combines each of your communication channels into one comprehensive connection that is typically cloud-based. For modern companies, this can involve many different channels that require a full suite of technological solutions, from video conferencing to text chat and voice capabilities.
"Bring Your Own Device" business models, remote work, and hybrid schedules have become the driving force behind the increasing demand for unified communications. However, companies should be thoughtful as they build a UC system. While properly implemented unified communications technology has a positive impact on employee productivity and satisfaction, a poorly implemented system can have a negative impact on your overall business processes. For example, low-quality conference calls alone are known to cost companies $34 billion in a year, and 86% of business owners argue that many workplace issues are the direct result of inadequate communications.
Ideally, the installation of unified communication software should be undertaken by experienced audiovisual integrators who can ensure that your UC system is personalized and optimized for peak performance.
The Benefits of Unified Communications
Given the increase in remote work and the digitization of our communication methods, UC will likely continue its steady increase in the years to come. As more and more companies restructure their business models, they are beginning to realize the benefits of UC for both employees and clients.
The single most significant contributing factor towards the increased use of UC in the rapidly growing digital workforce. As we shift from office desktops to laptops and mobile devices, people have adopted the concept of working from wherever, whenever. As you combine this ideology with the development of cloud communications, it only seems natural that people begin to leverage UC technology and unshackle themselves from the restraints of a cubicle.
Increased Efficiency
The foremost beauty of UC lies in its ability to streamline your company's entire communication process. UC solutions provide your staff with a single, integrated platform that connects computers and mobile devices in one place. For example, call optimization features allow you to access your contact information in one place, using a single phone number.
This kind of system simplifies your entire business process and allows employees to stay on task rather than waste time and break their concentration by constantly hopping from one communications channel to another. Furthermore, since all of the cloud-based information regarding unified communications is not stored on your team's individual computers, it allows more storage for critical data.
Tighter Security
As your employees collaborate and share sensitive information, unified communication devices allow every call to be completed using an encrypted internet connection. Naturally, this makes for much safer communication for your business. Plus, the increased security from unified connections provide is available across multiple channels. So as the need for digital security increases, your company can rest assured that its communication system is helping reduce vulnerability to security breaches.
Improved Scalability at a Low Cost
The communication needs for your organization are highly dependent on your goals and the overall size of your business. As such, companies scaling quickly can run into growing pains as they outgrow their communication systems.
Using cloud-based UC software makes it easier to scale your communications in line with your business growth. Rather than paying a set rate, most UC solutions offer the option for you to pay based on the amount of data necessary for your business. This opportunity for customization allows you to choose features that best suit your company. Since all the information is filtered through a singular, cloud-based server, upgrading and maintaining the software is also straightforward and flexible.
Increased Productivity
Unified communication systems can also benefit your company with their ability to reduce time spent chasing down contacts or playing the ever-dreaded "phone tag." Given that all of your devices exist within a single network, you can quickly transfer calls from one device to another. In addition, features like short-number dialing eliminate the need for area codes. Consistent communication and quick responses enable your staff to communicate with one another and clients effectively.
Improved Collaboration
No longer will employees be pulled away from their desks for each meeting. Unified communication devices make it possible for people to communicate simultaneously using group messages and video conferencing technology. Modern unified communication platforms allow you to connect with one another and share information in real-time. These features are especially beneficial if your team includes remote workers in different locations or international clients. With unified communication solutions, employees can communicate effectively at any time or any place.
Better Customer Service
If a customer needs assistance, they would certainly like to contact someone who can help as soon as possible. The integration of unified communication solutions allows your staff to be available at all times via mobile device or desktop. In the event that the first recipient isn't available, the call can be transferred to the next available person. Furthermore, you have the option to set conditions for customer calls. For example, if your sales representatives are unavailable, the call can automatically be redirected to the sales manager.
Streamlined Communication Analytics
When using unified communication, all communications filter through the same platform. As many advanced analytics systems can be integrated with UC technology, this allows companies to perform in-depth analyses of their communication processes. Used strategically, such deeper insights allow companies to improve overall collaboration and business processes.
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