IVR System: What Unified Communication Can Do for You

Among the differences between small and larger companies wrestle with is which phone system is the best fit. Smaller businesses made up of only a few individuals should prove okay with a standard phone system, as it offers the usual hold and call waiting buttons and caller ID. If the business is small it most likely is not as mobile as larger companies, and therefore would not need a UC (Unified Communications (News - Alert)) system.

Big businesses cannot afford to miss out on using a UC system, however, as it is more necessary for mobile and global companies. If you have a large number of employees, or a small number of employees who travel, and especially if you have a large number of employees who travel, you need a UC system.

Unified Communication will solve problems unique to large companies, which the little guys can luckily ignore – if they plan to stay little, that is. This includes the need for video conferencing, mass data sharing, and instant messaging. The larger a company is the more advantage a UC system will offer. Other features are integrated voicemail, e-mail, SMS and fax, telephony (including IP), presence information, speech recognition and call control. This is real-time communication, and businesses become big businesses by tapping into this style of communication.

UC offers a single system with multiple tools including IVR which can help grow smaller companies, and make larger ones more efficient. In order to measure up in today’s business market you have to appear large, competitive, and able – all of which can be accomplished with a UC system.

Digium has helped us compile a list of five important considerations when shopping for a phone system, all of which are addressed by UC. The first is you must select a phone system that lets you do more with less. Secondly, mobility features are a must. The third is obvious – finding the best savings. The fourth consideration is that the customer is the most important factor in this decision, and the fifth states that the two F’s – flexibility and functionality – are paramount for any company no matter what size.

UC not only integrates mobile apps for the iPhone, Android (News - Alert) and Blackberry with its phone system, but also allows calling from a mobile device as if it were your office phone, granting access to company phone directories. With UC you can stay in touch with your staff no matter where you are, and conferencing is possible at all times and from all places.

UC is also careful not to bombard you with sneaky fees and ‘optional’ features, saving you money and time. If you anticipate your business’s growth and future success, you will need to use a UC system in order to prepare for those needs. There are many factors involved in choosing which phone system will work best, but it is important to have an eye for the future and not just focus on the here and now when making your decision.

Keeping the five important considerations I mentioned in mind, think how UC could make sense for your company and any needs you may experience as your business grows.

Edited by Juliana Kenny