In the modern world communication is key whether within a business between employees or whether dealing with customers or suppliers. Businesses who fail to modernize and communicate using the latest means as dictated by customers tend to be left behind in favor of progressive businesses.
In recent years many developments have been made in the field of communications, especially with the introduction of broadband Internet networks. These developments have opened up new possibilities and new means of communication that have revolutionized business and now allow for the possibility of unified communications.
Unified communications is the concept of many differing methods of communication being united through a single piece of technology or software. Many businesses choose to communicate using voice over IP systems, video conferencing, email or even instant messaging. All of these means of communications provide a vital function for business communication but they can often be disjointed and all too separate to create an efficient system. However, unified communications allows voice calls, video conferencing, emails and instant messaging to be unified through a single piece of software which manages and enables communication through all of these means.
Unified communications can compliment or replace altogether telephone systems for small business. Systems such as voice over IP can be used to relieve the burden on telephone systems for small business so that they can be utilized for more specific applications. Conversely, voice over IP as part of a unified communications system can be used to replace traditional landlines entirely with a more versatile, reliable and secure alternative. The software used with such a system allows all methods of communication to be centrally managed so that individuals can determined how best to contact another employee, a customer or a supplier. The versatility offered by unified communications in both direct communication and in communications management is considerable.
Telephone systems for small business can also benefit considerably from the use of unified communications in terms of cost. Voice over IP systems generally offer considerable savings when compared to traditional landlines and they can be integrated with a video component and an instant messaging component. Some aspects of unified communications can even be free of charge meaning that emphasis can be shifted toward more cost effective methods of communication if necessary. By reducing both overhead costs and variable costs in the field of communications, businesses can increase profitability considerably.
When considering telephone systems for small business it is important to evaluate the available options rather to simply modernize existing landline systems. By making use of communications through the broadband network businesses can take advantage of a number of significant advantages. Unified communications allow for the integration of voice calls, video conferencing, email and instant messaging, creating a single unified communications solution. Furthermore, unified communications offer improved versatility, reliability and security in voice calls and other methods of communication as well as delivering considerable savings in cost when compared to the alternative traditional landline telephone systems for small business.
About the author: This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Maintel, experts in unified communications and telephone systems for small business.