Communication in business enterprises accounts for the majority of productivity. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems are enabling businesses around the world to streamline their communications systems. With just a broadband internet connection, a computer and a traditional phone and adapter (or specialized VoIP phone), businesses are able to bundle their internet/phone costs and save a significant amount of money. In addition, VoIP enables businesses to not only increase the functionality and range of their phone services, but also streamline their internal and external business communications.

Here’s a rundown on the latest and greatest trends and features in VoIP technologies, and how you can leverage them to run your business more effectively.

Hosted Cloud PBX Boxes 

While one of the advantages of VoIP is its simplicity (you can activate VoIP immediately merely with a specialized phone or adaptor), if you really want to get the most bang for your buck it’s worthwhile to invest in a cloud-based hosted private branch exchange (PBX) system. This is basically an enterprise system that takes VoIP out of the hands of your phone service or internet provider, and provides customized hosting and management for your system. A PBX system manages the entire network of lines for its business clients, and provides features such as advanced call management, call routing, call recording and voice mail notifications, as well as a wealth of Unified Communications (UC) services. The host system manages all maintenance, and convenient cloud storage provides immediate access to numbers and contacts without taking up valuable system storage. Cloud-based VoIP host centers can also save an average of 27 percent in company costs by helping to provide an improved customer experience.

VoIP/UC Collaboration

Thanks to open-source technology (WebRTC) developed by the World Wide Web Consortium, VoIP and UC services can now be merged into viable apps that can be used instead of email. These apps can utilize VoIP and UC features to provide chat and instant messaging, and can also be implemented into video conferencing. The platform runs through browsers with specially embedded coding, and Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera and Microsoft Edge are already on board with this new technology. These apps are especially beneficial for internal company communications, and will help eliminate the daily cyber-chain of email messages.

VoIP Integration with Other Cloud-Based Management Tools

Today’s business management tools must be capable of multi-tasking and integrating with other platforms, and VoIP is no exception. Thanks to cloud-based platforms, tools and products that utilize Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), VoIP can be integrated with accounting systems, help desk programs, company contact centers and customer relationship management software. This will further streamline company/client communications, and can also increase the speed of response times in dealing with customer support.
VoIP Integration with the Internet of Things

It’s more than just a new catchphrase: The Internet of Things is rapidly becoming a way of life, not just in business, but also in the home.According to research by Siemens, it’s possible that 26 billion things will be connected to the internet by 2020. From a business perspective, this means that VoIP technology can be integrated to perform a multitude of remote-controlled tasks, from powering up your computer to switching on your office lights. More importantly, if you’re operating from a virtual office or on a business trip, VoIP can be used to remotely set up your computer monitor and other office equipment, reserve and customize your workspace and transfer your business phone numbers — all with the touch of a button on your tablet or Smartphone.

As VoIP technologies continue to develop, it’s clear that this platform will expand into other capabilities far beyond its original functions. Thanks to these advancements, VoIP has become an exciting business tool with amazing, far-reaching potential.

source:it.toolbox.com

 

You’ve spent all this money on a digital signage system, and put in many hours of work to craft attractive, succinct and informative messages. So how do you know that your efforts are working? If you haven’t been using digital signage for corporate communications, think about doing so – it saves time and money, and makes everything run smoother.

Avoid Confusion

Just ask around – if your employees seem to be unclear about your company’s mission, policies and procedures, then something isn’t right. Make sure you have messages on your displays that clarify and explain these things. If you already have some of these messages, maybe they need to be re-tooled to be clearer. Or maybe your messages are fantastic, but people just aren’t retaining the information. Think about finding memorable ways to present what you need them to know.

Humor is often a good way to get things lodged in people’s memories. Instead of simply saying what a policy is, show the pitfalls of not following it in a funny way. Storytelling also helps with retention – having a long-tail campaign involving a character who constantly gets into difficulties because he or she doesn’t follow the procedures (with some sort of tag line, like “Don’t be a Marvin – do X instead”) would certainly get people interested and help them remember what they’re supposed to do.

Cut Paper Waste

One of the reasons you bought a digital signage system was to save paper – not just the cost of the material and ink, but the time spent printing, distributing, and later removing and disposing of flyers and memos. Look at your paper and printing costs – if they haven’t gone down, then something needs to change. Think of how you can craft messages for your digital displays that convey the same information as your printed materials so you can replace them, not duplicate them. It can sometimes be a challenge to get older managers to think in terms of digital signage. Take these folks on a short tour, showing them the possibilities that digital signage offers. Let them talk to employees who enjoy this method of information dispersal. If they see that people like digital signage, and that it works, they will be more likely to adopt it.

Increase Participation

You promote the office holiday party or latest blood drive, but then almost no one shows up. That sort of defeats the purpose of team events. If you aren’t promoting events on your digital signs, start doing it. You will get far more message saturation with your displays than with emails (that are most likely either never read, or looked at once and then forgotten). And seriously think about your designs for these promotional messages. Make sure they stand out and are different from the purely informational messages. Choose brighter backgrounds, or different layouts from your usual corporate communications. This will draw people in, even if they have become used to simply “phasing out” the regular messages on display.

Recognize Employees

Do your employees feel appreciated? Survey them to find out. If not, their work quality will suffer, and employee turnover can become a real problem. Use your digital screens to let them know that their work is being noticed. Display leaderboards and shout outs for landing a big contract, or for going above and beyond the call of duty. Mark work anniversaries, and spotlight employees so everyone gets to know one another. When there’s a new hire, make them feel part of the team with welcome messages. Anything you can do to motivate and recognize your teams will result in higher morale and bottom-line results.

Relieve HR Teams

Check in with your Human Resources department – how are things going? Are they completely overwhelmed with issues and problems? If so, your digital signage can take some of the burden off of them. If there are many instances of the same issue – complaint, questions, accidents, etc. – post message on your displays addressing these concerns. Often an employee feels like they are the only ones with a problem – but when they see the solution on all the screens, they know that they aren’t, and that management is paying attention and taking steps to help.This is especially true in organizations that have multiple locations. And if your company has overseas facilities, you’ll probably have things come up that are unique to that facility. HR can post answers and advice specific to that location, culture and language on localized playlists, no matter where their department is located. Localizing your communications with different designs will again show that management is taking a keen interest.

There is almost no medium- or large-scale issue that cannot be efficiently addressed using digital signage. You can reach more people than with any other communication medium, and can respond to issues instantly. Increase employee satisfaction and motivation, get more people to come to your events, save money and waste, and make sure that everyone is playing from the same rulebook. That’s the power of good digital signage.

Source: http://www.digitalsignagetoday.com