The field of business communications is continually being transformed as new solutions are developed. Most of these new business applications transform existing technologies, so that organizations can save money and get more value from the paid services they already subscribe to.
These are the five major communications tools that business today use:- • Telephone
- • Instant messaging
- • Conferencing
- • Apps for team collaboration
Let’s take a quick look at developments in using these business technology tools and how they can help businesses to boost their profits.
Telephony
It’s hard to imagine business without the telephone. Where would customers be if they couldn’t speak to someone when they need to? Of course, everyone can do without the annoying cold callers trying to sell stuff just when you’re sitting down for dinner, or sitting on hold for attention, but the humble telephone is undeniably an essential business tool.
Traditionally, telephone services depended on telephone companies. Today, many people have cable providers supplying their phone service. For a phone service with additional features, but with no actual need for cable, this can be an expensive option for businesses.
The alternative is VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol. This enterprise telephone service uses your organization’s existing bandwidth to make and receive calls using the internet. It has most of the features that businesses need, and at a fraction of the cost. You’ll find a variety of VoIP plans and packages available. The friendly consultants at Quikteks Tech Support can help you find a VoIP plan that’s right for you, so you can save money while still enjoying a reliable telephone service.
It may be much younger than the telephone, but anyone with a computer probably uses email just as regularly. In the workplace, email is an essential tool. It’s how people receive information, set up accounts and communicate both with one another and with clients. It’s often integrated with other business applications, like customer resource management (CRM) software, so that nobody misses any updates or scheduled operations.
Email now is more intuitive and service-laden than it was. It’s an extremely valuable tool but can take up time and be targeted by hackers and cybercriminals. Email is the principal vehicle for phishing scams that trap people into revealing confidential details or visiting sites that can infect an IT system with viruses or malware.
For businesses, the big bonus of email is the way it can be integrated into productivity software. That means that employees don’t have to wrestle with multiple business applications, but can receive all the information they need via email alone.
Instant Messaging (IM)
Instant messaging is a popular and speedy way to communicate that will be familiar to users of social media. It’s not just for fun though. Most business applications now have a chat program, either as a forum-based interface or so that one-on-one chat is possible.
The downside of IM for businesses is that it’s often built into another program, such as Facebook Messenger, with the potential for staff to get distracted and do stuff that has nothing do with work. Although some of the programs available offer versions designed for business, but it’s not easy to find one with the right features for your business. Features might include reporting and media-sharing tools, and security is another important concern. At Quikteks Tech Support, our consultants can help you select the right platform for you.
Conferencing
Collaboration can be fundamental for business operations, and technology is a great enabler of this. Virtual meetings and remote connectivity are important elements in the way an organization communicates with co-workers and industry partners. Tech innovations in conferencing take meetings out of the boardroom and into the chatroom. Among the conferencing and communication options that can be very helpful to businesses are various information-sharing tools, including screen-sharing, video presentations and the ability to communicate face-to-face.
Conferencing software often either comes as part of, or can be integrated into, a VoIP system. This is another thing that the consultants at Quikteks can help with. We’ll carry out an assessment and formulate a communications strategy, including catering for the needs of remote workers, that matches your requirements.
Apps for Team Collaboration
In project management, collaboration and coordination are essential. The development of applications to facilitate these are a growing area in business communications technology. The app developers have taken the best parts of network collaboration tools and re-imagined them for project management and collaborative working.
There are two major applications currently available: Slack and Microsoft Teams. They work by means of an interface that is very similar to email, doing all the things that email users are familiar with, but with extra features. Apps like these also permit real-time messaging and can be integrated with other applications. They are like the online forums that users might already be familiar with. Anyone can have a start a conversation with someone else and a drag-and-drop feature allows easy information-sharing.
Quikteks can help you select a team collaboration application that’s suitable for your business. Innovative business solutions can help you become the best business you can be, but implementing new technology can be challenging. To take your organization’s business communications to the next level, call Quikteks Tech Support today at (973) 882-4644.