There have been many instances when we have sold a company on the Cloud and on Votacall only to have the customer ask if we could certify certain phones to integrate with our platform. Our canned response is, "we tested and continue to test many phones on the platform to truly deliver the best of breed products to our customers and it is our opinion that the Polycom Phones lead to the best customer experience." Now, just for kicks, we always ask "why are they interested in X phone?". The following are the typical responses we receive; I like the way they look, I see them on TV and Jack Bauer was my hero and because 24 went off the air, I need something to keep me connected to the show etc etc...okay, maybe I have not heard those exact words when presenting Votacall, but I know some customers are thinking it or something like it. It truly displays the power of marketing and product placement. It is so powerful that customers tend to forget the Votacall message:
The Cloud Experience cannot be dictated by a device or in this case a "sexy" phone.
Listen, the phones in question (I wont mention the brand name), look great, I have to admit it. But it cannot derail the conversation about the Cloud. It is a service that if delivered appropriately, will enhance the customer experience and allow them to grow in ways that were impossible years ago. That limitless potential has nothing to do with the look of the phone and everything to do with the platform architecture and infrastructure, deployment, implementation, training and support. Remember, not even jack Bauer can save you from a bad customer experience in the Cloud, trust me.
Andy DeAngelis
Vice President of Sales
All Business Communications
