Businesses around the world have adapted to remote working — and it looks like it’s here to stay. Digitally transforming a business has become the norm, and Unified Communications (UC) is an integral part of this process. This article looks at what Unified Communications is and the key benefits it can bring to your business.
What is Unified Communications?
Unified Communications allows businesses to combine and streamline their communication tools by bringing them under one platform. By using one unified system rather than several independent ones, communication capacity is increased and made more efficient. Crucially, Unified Communications also means you can work from any location — eliminating the need for a communal physical space, like the traditional office.
Examples of Unified Communications include:
- Instant messaging
- Voice and video calls
- Team collaboration applications
- Video conferencing
- File sharing
- Mobile applications, allowing you to extend your Unified Communications capabilities to smartphones and tablets for communication on-the-go
What are the benefits of Unified Communications?
As businesses grow and evolve, they often find themselves with an array of independent systems that aren’t centrally controlled, and that may not be suitable for remote working. Managing business communications through one platform solves this problem as well as offering a range of other valuable benefits, including:
1) Enhanced productivity and convenience
How your employees communicate is vital to the success and smooth running of your business. Unified Communications means that your staff can connect in the way they feel most comfortable, using any device or medium (e.g. voice call, instant message, or video call).
2) Instant communication
Unified Communications enables your business to communicate in real time. Your employees can see if a colleague is free or busy and use instant messaging to obtain responses faster than email allows, avoiding lost or wasted time. This can result in your workforce making faster decisions and acting quicker than they would otherwise.
3) Cost savings
By making calls over an Internet connection, businesses can reduce their costs and avoid up-front fees for fixed-line services. The use of video conferencing and virtual meetings also reduces the need for travel between locations and the associated expenses.
4) Improved collaboration
The use of collaboration tools is essential for effective remote working and can increase team efficiency significantly. Tools such as Microsoft Teams allow users to track the progress of projects and quickly resolve issues so that tasks are carried out quicker.
5) Scalability
In order to stay competitive, businesses of all types need to innovate and stay agile whilst keeping their expenses to a minimum. Your business and its needs will evolve over time and you need to adapt accordingly. Unified Communications systems are hosted in our secure and resilient data center (rather than through third-party providers), meaning your business can expand its communication infrastructure in a straightforward and cost-effective fashion.
At Everyday Communications, we’re great believers in the benefits of Unified Communications, we also provide a range of ‘office in a box’ business communication packages. Contact us today for more information!
