A Reliable Unified Communications Platform Platform Doesn’t Have to be Expensive
Unified Communications Combines Multiple Channels
As a business owner, you need to be reachable by your customers. This usually means that you have multiple channels. This could be email, telephone, web chat, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or any other of the myriad of technologies that are available in the 21st century. Luckily, many of these can be combined into what is often called Unified Communications.
It sounds a lot fancier than it really is. It basically means using one system to manage multiple communication channels. In a lot of ways this should be a no brainer but traditionally each communication channel was managed on it’s own. You would use your phone for calls, Outlook for email, Facebook Messenger to chat, etc.
Now, we can combine many of these into one system that can give you a central location to handle multiple types of messages within one platform.
What I do Here at Southwest Tech Solutions
I have set up a system called 3CX to manage my calls, web chat, and Facebook Messenger. I can also do video conferencing (aka Zoom style calls) right in my 3CX system and I can manage most of it from the 3CX app on my android phone (they have one for iOS as well). If you take a look at the bottom right corner of our main page you can see a chat icon. This is just a simple WordPress plugin that interfaces with my 3CX system and alerts me when someone sends a chat from the website. I can then respond and chat with them from my PC or phone.
With the proliferation of cloud based phone / communication systems you have many options. You can use what is called a “soft phone” on your PC (software based phone) with a USB or Bluetooth headset, you can use an app on your mobile phone, or you can set up a physical phone on your desk(s).
Modern Unified Communications Platforms can be Very Affordable
With all of that said, the basic features of most systems are very affordable. 3CX offers a hosted system (in the cloud) where you can have up to 10 users completely free. The only thing you need are phone numbers. These can be procured very cheaply with low monthly recurring fees based on how much you use it. On the other hand, you can build just about anything like a call center, auto attendant, IVR, etc. so long as you pay for the features you need to use.
I realize that all that can sound very complicated if you are not into the tech side of things. With over 15 years experience in telecom this is where Southwest Tech Solutions can help.
It doesn’t cost anything to get in touch to discuss solutions to any questions, concerns, issues you have!
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