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Entries by Richard Reiffer

10 REASONS COMPANIES ARE MOVING COMMUNICATIONS TO THE CLOUD

There’s a lot of buzz around the cloud these days and cloud communications is no exception. But buzz isn’t always an indicator of a business case for technology purchases. Smart businesses are asking what’s driving the rush to the cloud—and they’re getting solid answers. So why are so many businesses moving communications to the cloud today? Here are 10 real-world reasons:

Cost

Predictable monthly costs. This may seem like old news, but many companies don’t realize just how much they can save by moving their communications to the cloud. By hosting a phone system over the Internet, businesses are charged on an “as needed” basis, paying only for what they use. That makes cloud-based communication systems especially cost-effective for small businesses—eliminating the need to pay for the installation and maintenance of a traditional phone system.

 

Management

Outsource IT support to the provider. The management of an on-site solution can be very expensive. Because of the complexity of today’s communications systems, it can often take an entire IT department to manage. Cloud-based communications can help alleviate the burden by eliminating maintenance, IT work load and some of the more costly internal infrastructure, including servers and storage systems.

 

Scalability

Scale up or down based on users. Anyone who has moved or expanded an on-site phone system knows just how difficult it can be. Whether a business is growing, moving or sizing down, the cloud provides the flexibility and scalability the business needs now and in the …

ANSWERS TO YOUR TOP 7 QUESTIONS ABOUT MIGRATING FROM SHORETEL TO MITEL CONNECT

When you tell me that ShoreTel has reached the end-of-life, what does that really mean?

Mitel acquired ShoreTel in 2017. The Connect platform changed in brand name only. With ShoreTel technology underpinning the Mitel Connect platform, it is now called Mitel MiVoice Connect. Mitel announced the end-of-life of the ShoreTel 14.2 software and all previous software releases.  All future bug fixes will be rolled into Connect release, while ShoreTel 14.2 continues to be supported through December 2019. Support for software updates/bug fixes will no longer be provided for ShoreTel 14.2 beginning 2020.

 

What are the requirements for us to upgrade to Connect?

While there are not many “requirements” for upgrading to Connect, there are some infrastructure requirements that should be noted:

Must be on ShoreTel version 14.x
If you are using Enterprise Contact Center, you will need the 8.x or 9.x versions to upgrade to Connect Contact Center
Mobility needs to be on 8.x
64bit Windows is required
VMWare ESXi 6 or 6.5 is needed if you are looking to utilize any of the virtual switches and appliances
30 GB HDD available is a minimum

 

Will we be able to use the same desktop handsets?

Connect Premise will continue to support all handsets.  On the other hand, the Connect Cloud supports only the 400 series handset. With Connect, the EdgeGateway will replace the VPN Concentrator. The phones from the VPN concentrator will not work with the EdgeGateway.  Also, only the …

IMPROVE EMPLOYEE RETENTION WITH UPGRADED COMMUNICATIONS

Personnel costs are a considerable portion of any company’s budget, and high churn rates make that percentage skyrocket. Companies looking to reduce costs by improving employee retention need to take a proactive approach. Waiting until the exit interview to investigate why an employee decided to move on means the business missed out on the golden opportunity of identifying the obstacles and challenges its employees face.

Employees are the lifeblood of an organization, which is why having a strong team is critical. But we all know the battle to attract top talent can be ruthless. It’s easy for businesses to be ensnared in the vicious cycle of investing valuable resources in training and developing an employee only to lose them to a competitor. When this happens, it leaves administrators in the organization ripe with confusion and asking the question of, “why?” After all, they seemed content and satisfied in their position.

With low retention, looking at just the surface-level problems will guide you to the wrong answer and ultimately the wrong solution. In today’s competitive market, wasting precious time and resources can be a business’s undoing. However, approaching employee retention doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Often, a few key changes can yield significant results. A common cause for employees to leave is communication problems. We’ll look at how improved communications helps keep employees satisfied and productive.

 
Access to Information
Older business communication systems can make finding the right information difficult and frustrating. …

FOUR WAYS UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS IMPROVES THE CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE

With online reviews being so easy to create and share, improving customer service is more important than ever before. In fact, it’s quickly become a top priority for 72 percent of businesses. Many call centers and service departments have switched to VoIP for cost savings, but integrating other unified communications can improve the experience even more.

Unified communication provides a high level of customers service. By combining UC tools like instant messaging, email, and phone employees can communicate simultaneously, thereby getting to the root of the problem faster. If you’re on the fence about implementing UC, here are four ways it can enhance the customer service experience.

 
1. Answer customers’ questions more quickly.
With UC, clients are able to choose their preferred method of communication, which means the time it takes to process a request is dramatically reduced. UC works by integrating a variety of real-time communication tools, with the goal of improving internal communication. Collaboration between customer service representatives and experts becomes faster and more efficient. Telephone features, like click to dial with desktop-based communications, instant messaging, web conferencing, and video conferencing are ways UC can seamlessly connect an organization. This way, you can avoid putting anyone on hold and answer questions more accurately.

 
2. Help customers find the right product.
Have you ever been working with a seemingly strong lead only to have them suddenly vanish never to be heard from again? If that story sounds familiar know you’re not alone; businesses are experiencing …

BUSINESS PHONE SYSTEMS: HOW OLD IS TOO OLD?

A business’s phone system acts as the primary method for communicating with clients. Uprooting the current system and replacing it with a new one is a delicate matter, so it’s tempting to go with the old adage—if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. However, just because something still works doesn’t mean it’s doing what it needs to be doing. Old phone systems may be draining more money out of your business than they’re generating.
Telecommunications technology is ever evolving, but what remains the same is a business’s need for a reliable communication tool. Yet when it comes to upgrading that 10-year-old push-button phone sitting on the desk, people tend to hesitate. Knowing when or if you should upgrade your phone system can be a complicated decision. Here are some signs that it’s time for an upgrade.

 
Adding or Moving Locations
If your business is moving to or opening a new location, installing an older phone system can be detrimental to your finances. The costs of uninstalling, transporting and reinstalling an older communication system can be significantly more expensive than the price of a brand new system. For this reason, alternatives to POTs (plain old telephones) are becoming more popular.

Experts say there will be over 27 million VoIP users by the year 2020, which means that a universal upgrading is practically inevitable. Alternative communication systems, like VoIP, are attractive because they offer substantial cost-saving incentives for business. You’ll find a single installation of VoIP across …

IMPROVE YOUR COMPANY CULTURE WITH SECURE UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS

The importance of having strong and supportive company culture can never be underestimated. You want to build one that allows your workforce to thrive, but you’re not sure what steps to take to get there. What if we told you that small business Unified Communications (UC) is not only great for improving business operations, but also improving your company culture?

When you develop a system of communication within your organization that encourages creativity and communication, and rewards efficiency, you have the groundwork laid out for a fantastic workplace environment.

In this post, we are going to explain exactly how you can use Unified Communications to make your company culture better.

 
1. Practice transparency
Transparency not only has a positive impact on employees, but the effects of a transparent culture influence an entire organization and the customers it serves. With key UC tools like unified messaging, video conferencing, and collaboration apps, employees have an easier way to connect and share crucial information with one another.

Outdated communication tools can post to be a barrier to transparency, leading to frustration and misunderstanding among your workforce.

 
2. Easier and more efficient collaboration
No company in the world ever succeeded without having efficient teams that work day and night to make the organization’s vision come to life. Unified communications can be the point where operations, strategy, and production meet.

The advanced tools allow stakeholders, managers, and employees to collaborate in real-time and better respond to competitive and environmental changes. Challenges in implementing new strategies are reduced …

ENSURING YOUR PHONE SYSTEM IS A BUSINESS ENABLER

Many have taken to cloud-based UC platforms as a way to achieve this higher level of connectivity. UC systems work by integrating applications into a single, seamless interface, which make it ideal for unifying communication efforts. Not to mention, they have also been recognized for their ability to ability to boost business productivity and growth opportunities.
Your business communications system needs to ensure you have the best tools that will help you do a better job with your customer…today and tomorrow. Below are two ways an onsite phone system can improve the customer experience by improving flexibility and enhancing reachability.

 
Improving flexibility through work groups
When a customer or prospect calls your company and the phone rings endlessly without being picked up, or it goes to a general voicemail box, they may question how capable your business is. Since today’s customers have higher expectations than ever before, you want to give the impression to current and potential customers that you can serve them the way they want to be served, regardless of whether your employees are in the office or working remotely.

A Mitel Connect ONSITE phone system allows you to improve your business’s flexibility by routing calls using the power of work groups. Here’s how…

Work groups can be created to respond to what’s happening in your business. For example, you might have a new advertising campaign and you need more people ready to answer the phone. Perhaps there are changing weather conditions and …

4 REASONS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BYOD

Before the days of smartphones and laptops, the idea of asking an employee to bring their own devices would be considered laughable. Can you imagine, employees hauling bulky desktops and towers to work each day? BYOD has made what was impossible, possible.

The evolution of technology has been rapid. At this point, BYOD is old news. However, the buzz surrounding it hasn’t quieted down. Its popularity is expected to grow. Companies aren’t asking if they need BOYD, but rather what is the best practice for implementation. It’s quickly taken its place as a part of our modern business culture.

That being said, some organizations are still hesitant to adopt a BYOD policy. Here are a few reasons why it’s beneficial.

 
Productivity
One of the most significant benefits of BYOD is the boost in productivity seen in all departments of an organization. Employees are using devices they are familiar with making it easier to take full advantage of device features. IT Technicians are using tools they already understand, requiring less training. Organizations can maximize revenue through productivity.

 
Cost
If you’re a business owner, you know the costs of technology can be substantial. Supplying an entire company with devices can add up quickly. BYOD programs shift costs to the individual user. Businesses have noticed as employees use their smartphones and tablets maintenance and service fees are drastically reduced. Additionally, employees who use their own devices are more likely to have the latest technology, meaning you don’t have to …

DOES YOUR NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT CLOUD COMMUNICATIONS?

The telecom industry has gone through a number of transformations in recent years. The impact of this innovation has revolutionized how businesses approach communication. However, what hasn’t changed is the need for excellent communication and collaboration tools. The concept of hyperconnectivity has been eagerly adopted by businesses as a way to stay competitive.

Many have taken to cloud-based UC platforms as a way to achieve this higher level of connectivity. UC systems work by integrating applications into a single, seamless interface, which make it ideal for unifying communication efforts. Not to mention, they have also been recognized for their ability to ability to boost business productivity and growth opportunities.

If you’re looking at your current system and feeling underwhelmed by its functionality, consider a UC system. It’s not hard to switch, but one thing you do need is a fast connection and secure network. Make sure to consider if your network is sufficient to support a new UC system. If not, we’ll offer some ways to optimize it.

 
Tools.
The quality of your UC platform communication relies heavily on bandwidth speed. Many major internet providers have free speed tests available. You can find them on websites or even apps. Here are  tools you can use to measure your internets speed:

https://fitsmallbusiness.com/voip-speed-test/
https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/

 
Bandwidth. 
Network congestion is unavoidable for most business, especially with employees downloading and transferring files. The real challenge isn’t how to eliminate network congestion, but rather how to minimize its effects. One of …

Should You Use a Toll-Free Number?

Everyone has at least a passing familiarity with toll-free numbers. From jingles to billboards to commercials, businesses offer up toll-free numbers to try to entice people to call. Unless you’ve looked into them before, however, you might not be aware of exactly how they work, and why a business might use one. Here are the basics.
What is a Toll-Free Number?
When a person calls a toll-free number from a landline phone or other service that doesn’t charge per minute of airtime, they don’t incur any charge regardless of distance. This can be helpful for companies that do a significant amount of business outside of their local area, such as national and international organizations, because it removes the cost barrier that might prevent customers, prospects, and partners from calling.

Toll-free numbers always begin with one of a few codes, the most recognizable being 1-800. More codes have been added over the years to include 888, 877, 866, 855, and 844, opening up a wealth of phone numbers–including vanity numbers–and reducing the cost of purchasing a toll-free number.

So considering the low cost, should your business be using a toll-free number? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
The Pros
Create or reinforce a corporate image.

No matter how much money you put into marketing and training, branding is ultimately about public perception. A toll-free number is immediately recognizable as a business contact line, and can immediately position your company as large and corporate. For companies who …

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Millennia Technologies is a full-service voice and data solutions company for midsize to enterprise customers. Specializing in UCaaS , CCaaS , Cybersecurity , IoT , Voice , Cloud , and more. Our passion is firmly rooted in showing clients how well-designed data solutions can significantly accelerate business operations, and then celebrating their goal-shattering successes.