| When it comes to PC's and IT equipment for business | | | | unwilling to call a mobile number due to either the cost |
| we're often very good at upgrading to the latest | | | | of the call or they feel it is an invasion of privacy. By |
| technology to ensure we can run the best programs | | | | twinning your mobile with your direct landline number |
| at the fastest speed and gain a competitive edge | | | | you avoid these problems and protect your mobile |
| over Fred in the shed down the road. | | | | number. |
| Phone systems on the other hand are often seen as | | | | There are also cost saving benefits of mobile twinning. |
| a tool that simply provides dial tone to the desk and | | | | Some manufacturers offer an application that can be |
| therefore doesn't need upgrading until it goes wrong. | | | | run on most new mobile phones which means all calls |
| However when it does go wrong it can be extremely | | | | made from the mobile devise are routed through the |
| costly. Henley Management Institute discovered that | | | | phone system. As calls to the office number are |
| 60% of companies that experienced a loss of normal | | | | normally free this can reduce the number of bundled |
| telecoms for a period of 10 days, ceased trading within | | | | minutes required on a mobile contract. |
| a year. | | | | Remote Working |
| Extensive research and development has meant that | | | | Remote working is becoming more popular as it offers |
| technology that was previously only available to large | | | | flexible hours and saves money spent on office space. |
| enterprise businesses is now available to the small or | | | | Using an IP Phone allows remote workers to connect |
| medium business. The price tag for this technology has | | | | back to the office phone system over their broadband |
| also fallen as the big players start to enter the SMB | | | | connection. They have an extension number like any |
| market space. Features such as mobile twinning, video | | | | other office based worker and can be contacted on |
| conferencing, VoIP and text to speech are all | | | | their office direct dial number. |
| accessible. | | | | IP based remote working means an end to phone |
| This may all sound like overkill for a small organisation | | | | expenses claims and customers calling workers on |
| but as customers become more demanding, business | | | | their home numbers. Now you can work from home |
| needs to evolve to meet their expectations. If you | | | | or in a branch office with the same extension features |
| haven't considered making improvements to your | | | | and number as you have at head quarters. |
| communications systems then your competitors will | | | | Unified Communications |
| have. | | | | The world of communications is changing and the |
| So what can a new phone system do that your old | | | | ways we communicate are broadening. Our friends, |
| system can't and how will this benefit you and your | | | | colleagues and customers are now able to reach us |
| customers? | | | | by phone, mobile, email, instant messenger and other |
| Mobile Twinning | | | | methods. The best way to be contacted depends on |
| This feature has proved extremely popular. It bridges | | | | what we are doing, how urgent the communication is |
| the gap between your phone system and your | | | | and the type of communication required. |
| company mobile phones. Most of us have at least two | | | | Unified communications is the concept that by using |
| numbers that our customers can contact us on often | | | | standards based protocols multiple platforms can |
| with two different voicemails. This can be a little | | | | provide an aligned, presence based communication |
| frustrating for customers as important messages may | | | | method. Your telephone systemis just one cog in the |
| be missed. | | | | machine of unified communications but it's the most |
| Research has shown that some customers are | | | | important cog. |