Working from the Beach with Unified Communications and Mobility

Businesses are no longer places with employees chained to a desktop waiting by the phone. Today's businesses compete on a global level. This type of competition forces companies to maintain consistent communication across their organization. Staying connected with customers is a critical element of executing a superior customer experience. More companies today allow their employees to work at home or on the road. Smartphones, tablets and mobile devices break down geographic boundaries and expand the footprint of the modern business. Unified Communications and mobility solutions are powering many of today's leading organizations. Here's how you can literally work from the beach this Independence day or any day! 

Mobile and Office Phone Integration

There are many options for end users when  it comes to integrating your cell phone and mobile phone. Here are a few-

1. Call forwarding- the most basic of all, this option will just forward your calls and if you don't answer the caller will get your cell phone or home voice mail.                                                                       
2. Mobile Twinning- this option is a bit more advanced and will allow you to ring your mobile phone and desk phone at the same time, the caller will get your office voice mail if you don't answer.                                 
3. UC Client- The most tightly integrated option. Using an app on your mobile device to mirror your office phone. You can make or take calls from your office number. You can transfer calls or dial an internal member of your team by extension, even use IM and presence like you would in the office. Using the mobile app will allow you to work from anywhere even the beach without anyone knowing shhh......

Remote Phone and PC Integration 

When your business implements a UC solution, it empowers employees with more opportunities to stay in touch and connected to the office. I spoke about the mobile phone integration previously. Smartphone integration is only one of the options. Here are a few additional options UC will provide-

1. Multiple Call Appearances- this option will allow you to have a phone at home that is an exact replica of your office phone, a mobile device, tablet and a PC softphone all built in to your profile.                                                     
2. PC Softphone- this will allow you to run a software application on your PC or laptop as your office phone. With the addition of a headset your laptop is now your office phone. Make and take calls, transfer and call internal extensions or use the IM and presence functions.                                       
3. Instant Messaging and Presence- although many UC systems have their own IM&P application they also have the ability to integrate with messaging applications from Microsoft and Google. IM&P allows you to instant message a user and see presence. Presence allows you to see if someone is on a call or in a meeting at a glance.                                                                                             
4. Anywhere Application- Don't get stuck at your desk on a conference call when you have to run out of the office, just dial into anywhere and press a feature code on your cell grab your call and go. This is only one of the many features anywhere offers, happens to be my favorite.  

Improved  Efficiency with UC

I discussed the many options of connecting your office phone to your mobile devices and PC, instant messaging and presence and anywhere features. These options really keep you connected to your office while at home on the road or at the Beach. There are additional features such as voice mail to email, voice mail transcription and vm 2 text service. These services only enhance your UC experience making you more efficient. Advanced features like Call Center and IVR are additional options that can be added at any time. 

Unified communications allows employees to make well-informed decisions on the go. Access to people and information they need while working remotely. This allows you to be more responsive to customer needs and eliminates wasted time. UC also makes it easier for co-workers and managers to contact you allowing for a consistent communication experience both internally and externally. 

If you would like more information on Unified Communications read our ebook.