Exploring the Benefits of Softphone and Mobility Applications

I read the attached blog from one of our Flagship Partners, ShoreTel, and the content is great. Although, I'm still not entirely sure where the title of the article came from, hence my seemingly dry commentary to follow below.

Top 5 Advantages of a Softphone, by Chandler Harris. In my educated opinion, there are definitely many reasons to consider a softphone when looking to upgrade or expand your current phone system. The cost of a softphone is significantly less than a desk phone when you factor in everything involved. The flexibility of a softphone is perfect for people on the move. Now, there are many alternatives that can be chosen from that I would recommend first and foremost, however, a softphone is usually a viable option for clients. My issue with the softphone is the deployment of its applications on PC's that are dated and/or running too many other programs already.

Ever had a Windows update randomly shut down your PC? Now imagine being on an important call with a client or prospect. I love technology, and as I previously mentioned, ShoreTel has a slew of amazing products for clients seeking functionality and flexibility that they're not getting from a desk phone. However, softphones for me, are often deployed in situations where they shouldn't be; causing the advantages to be outweighed by potential issues encountered.

Turning the attention back to ShoreTel's recent blog post. To me, the content didn't completely reflect the advantages of a softphone - as stated in the title. What it did do, was identify some great functionality features that ShoreTel will give to our clients when installed. Each point listed is sensible and should be capitalized on by any organization looking to improve costs and drive efficiency within its workforce.

I do, however, fear that the article will be lost due to its entitled "advantages of a softphone" when softphones have been around for so long that they're somewhat considered "last years solution". Instead, we should be talking about ShoreTel's integrated mobility application that would take your softphone to the next level - yes, there is a next level!

Take a look and see for yourself: https://www.shoretel.com/blog/top-5-advantages-softphones

Using Unified Communications to Improve Your Chain of Command

I normally do not post on these types of topics, but this one I found interesting. About three quarters of the way down the article it talks about how Dr Martens used Unified Communication to improve internal, not external, communication. We often talk (and sometimes struggle) with who and why Unified Communications will benefit an organization. The message is old and stale and almost a ‘been there, done that’ attitude.

Here is a great example of how this successful organization implemented simple technology to improve communication within an organization, better communication between Quality Control and Supply Chain / Manufacturing across the Globe. Not the same old never miss a call as a sales person.

Take a read, I can point to a few of our own clients who have done the same thing, but sometimes it is just nice to look across the pond to see how a client and their needs are very similar no matter where you go.

http://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/analysis/2393025/dr-martens-selects-value-for-money-shoretel-over-cisco-avaya-mytel

Private Cloud Computing: Free vs. Paid

I have been known to say that "you get what you pay for". After years of working with multiple manufacturers, I have gained much insight into the 'real world', a world that consists of pay too little and too much for the products and services your business is run on.

In the included article, point three really stands out to me, mainly because I deal with this each and every day. What's being discussed here is freeware versus paidware (OK that's not a real word, but you get where I'm going with this). Specific to this article, you have a ton of freeware that you can use to run your business, but really?

Freeware comes with the free version of support, yes, the user groups that will cost you twice as much money (versus paid support) in lost salary finding the answer to your problems. That's time that you should have been using improving processes or finding new clients. Not to mention, by the time the new shiny toy has been released, your free support team has moved on - leaving you hanging while your business suffers.

Anyway, enough about the issue of free support - there are many other good points raised in this article, and I encourage you to read more.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/sungardas/2015/05/27/6-things-youve-always-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask-about-private-cloud-computing/

Extending Your Business Over Cellular

I found the article very interesting, I myself have spoken to hundreds of customers about the flexibility and functionality you could get by extending your business over Cellular.  The true mobility, the enhanced redundancy, the ability to have really small offices communicating seamlessly over a cellular device…the possibilities are endless. 

I can’t think of how often I have looked at extending service through the Internet for the offices with one and two employees, here we have a developing technology that will (again) truly revolutionize how businesses expand and roll out into new territories.

Imagine a sales person starting up in a new town, someone who requires voice and data applications that seamlessly integrate into the corporate infrastructure… all from their Smartphone. If their voice communications (IM, Video, and Voice) is on ShoreTel, then let the sales team grow!

https://www.shoretel.com/blog/difference-between-voip-and-volte

ShoreTel Mobility and the Apple Watch

ShoreTel recently announced their new version of ShoreTel Mobility that is designed for the Apple watch. While I think this is pretty cool (I use ShoreTel Mobility on my Android Smartphone today), I like the fact this article spoke about other applications that were relevant to the everyday business user.

Now, I am the first person to wonder why I need an Apple Watch…What will it give me that will make my life easier? This article actually did steer me into the direction of wanting this new gadget.

Why? Well…Being a person that delivers a ton of presentations, and occasionally has brilliant thoughts at random intervals throughout the day, this device has the perfect app for handling both. Read on through to see what I am talking about:

 https://www.shoretel.com/blog/top-business-apps-apple-watch

Top Ways Businesses Should Manage Mobile Workers

When I read articles posted by our partner, ShoreTel, I traditionally think Telecom and Unified Communications - as do many of our clients. However, I read this and I was a little taken aback, but in a good way. In bold is a statistic, "24.7 percent saving on fuel costs". First things first, why is ShoreTel talking about fuel savings?

It's not less time on the road because they saved three minutes per day over fifty users talking 25% less to someone somewhere. It's an app one of their clients deployed and integrated into their mobile application that traditionally was used for eliminating the roaming charges on cell phones.

Really? That's pretty cool. The article also talks about establishing policies, but that's a given. Take a read, and once you are done, call High Tech - because we would love to chat about this to get out of the day-to-day traditional conversations.

https://www.shoretel.com/blog/top-ways-businesses-should-manage-mobile-workers