Productivity – it’s a word most managers use to judge the performance of his employees. The focus is always on how to improve it so those in upper management are happy with the results. Now that so many employees have gone mobile and work remotely, how do managers ensure the desired level of productivity is achieved? The answer may just be in phone systems.
For an increasing number of mobile workers – more than 1 billion in the world, 75 percent of those in North America, according to IDC (News - Alert) – the mobile device has become one of the most important tools. Not only is the mobile phone the communications connection to the client, colleague and employer, it also serves as almost a “pocket office” that enhances productivity.
To that end, phone systems put in place must be able to support the mobile employee and the tools she needs to have at the ready. Vonage (News - Alert) recently posted a blog on the five ways businesses using its phone services can empower mobile professionals. One of the best ways, of course, is in support of the smartphone. There are a number of iPhone and Android (News - Alert) apps that allow the mobile professional to operate as if she were sitting at her desk in the physical office.
Voicemail capabilities are also important. Not only does the mobile employee need to ability to capture voicemails, they also need options when it comes to receiving them. Today, the mobile worker should have to call multiple voicemail boxes to retrieve her messages. Supporting voicemail to email integration and voicemail to text transcription allows the mobile employee to determine how she wants to review messages. Such capability is critical when in a meeting and accessing voicemail is not an option.
When the mobile employee is on the road, it’s important to provide access to the Admin Portal so she can manage her account and view real-time status of any coworker’s line. The Portal also allows for setting permissions for Auto Attendants, revising voicemail MP3s, managing extensions, paying bills and more. Plus, she can set the call forwarding option so she never misses a call.
The point is, mobile employees need access to specific tools connected to your phone systems so they can be productive, efficient and get the job done. Without the right supports in place, mobile doesn’t make sense. Now that the technology is at your fingertips, why confine your best people to an office when the next potential client is waiting to be seen? If you’re ready to make the move to support mobility, Vonage can help.
Edited by Stefania Viscusi