If you are asking the question, “is my company ready for unified communications?”, you have an idea that your company is ready for the next step in becoming a more efficient, productive, and a secure brand. Great job. That is the first step. Now we want to tackle Unified Communications, what it is and how it can help your business grow.

What is Unified Communications?

Unified Communications is the process of connecting all communications, online and offline, into one easy-to-use system that allows companies to manage all of their communications with one application. For example, you could receive your phone messages, office IMs and email all on one device. Communications are done over the company’s existing IP, which means businesses can cut numerous service providers and reduce the number of devices in the office.

Unified Communications integrates data, video and voice all in one. Some of the supported communications include: telephone system, voicemail, instant messaging, email, SMS, video, fax, screen sharing, and inter-office scheduling and collaboration. One of the most common providers is ShoreTel, and it has a system to accommodate your business’s needs, budget and goals.

Questions to Ask Before You Switch

When you are considering making the switch with your company, ask yourself a few questions first.

• What is your budget? Do you plan to integrate overtime or does your company have the capital to revamp the entire communications system?
• Does your company pay for multiple services, such as phone and internet?
• Are you missing important messages and/or communications when you are out of the office?
• Does there appear to be a break in communication among employees? If so, what is your company’s solution to reconnect employees, managers, vendors and clients?
• Is your company improving its global brand, which requires out-of-office activity, remote work, travel and video conferencing?
• Is your company spending more to maintain and service its many devices than the devices and services are actually worth?
• Ask if your network is sufficient enough and ready to handle Unified Communications.
• Determine your business’s needs.

If your company can identify with many of the points and questions we raised here, call Hill Country to discuss Unified Communications. Your company is ready to on Unified Communications. We take the guesswork out of designing, installing and maintaining ShoreTel UC for businesses. We are in it for the long haul with you, because you have a business to run.

Choosing a Unified Communications Provider

Choosing a Unified Communications provider is not easy. Actually, it can be frustrating. It’s a McUC world out there, which means UC providers are a dime-a-dozen, but few stand out. Before you select a UC provider, interview them before you hire. You do that when you hire employees, so why not put as much weight on your UC provider?

• Do your research. Search engines provide a wealth of information. Read reviews, good and bad.
• Ask about business continuity, maintenance and support. How will the company back you if something goes wrong? Do not do business with a company that only installs and leaves you hanging after they make the sale.
• Will the UC provider design a scalable system that adjusts to your company’s needs?
• When you are researching providers, clarify the “nines” of availability.
• Will the company install and manage the infrastructure for you?

Contact Hill Country Tech Guys when you are ready to establish your UC system.