6 Glaring Signs Your Business Needs Cloud Voice Technology

Almost overnight, the number of remote workers has increased dramatically with mandated “work-from-home” policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s no telling when this situation will change.

If your current phone system wasn’t able to easily handle the office exodus, that’s a glaring sign you’re due for a change. The good news… A cloud phone solution can deliver the latest in mobility and ensure your employees can work and collaborate from anywhere.

If you’ve noticed any of the following warning signs, now is the time to make the switch from outdated technology:

  • Traffic – With fewer people working in the office, just about all communications is now handled remotely. Is your current phone system supporting the increased demand? If not, busy signals, dropped calls and low-quality video will impede conversations, frustrating employees and customers.
  • Security – With more employees working from home, protecting sensitive information is a top priority. But if you’re not 100% confident in your communications system, you’ll want to ask vendors some hard questions such as: Do they offer Secure Real-Time Transfer Protocol (SRTP), which ensures voice, web and signaling traffic is encrypted? What cloud platform are they using and what levels of security do they offer?
  • Regulation – If you operate in a regulated industry like healthcare or finance, compliance looms large. Violations are expensive and can tarnish your reputation. However, when you work with a cloud phone provider committed to ensuring high levels of security and protecting sensitive data, you can ease your compliance worries.
  • Rapid Response – The onset of COVID-19 was a classic example of the need to be able to rapidly respond to changing demands and requirements. Ask yourself how difficult it is to add or remove lines, features, and users to your current system. If it requires a call to the vendor every time you need to make a change, then it’s time for a cloud phone solution.
  • Client Expectations – A stellar customer experience is more important than ever, but it can be difficult to deliver when employees need to jump through extra hoops to share documents or discuss issues remotely. When collaboration is built into your communications, it’s easier for your people to exceed customer expectations. When employee collaboration is easy and seamless outside the physical office, customers get answers faster and satisfaction soars.
  • License Management – When you’re trying to run a remote employee workforce and keep customers engaged, you don’t have time to worry about managing multiple licenses for your communications system. With a cloud phone solution, you can mix and match license types on a single plan. Need a contact center? Collaboration tools? It’s simple to add licenses on-demand and manage each user via their own profile.

If any of the signs discussed above are flashing red or yellow in your organization, it’s time to start exploring what cloud phone technology can do for your business. Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Auto-renewals Sneaking Up on You? Let TCI Experts Optimize Your Broadband & Network Services

In this tentative business climate, it’s best to conserve resources. One way to do this is to avoid unnecessary spending on broadband and network services. Whether it’s a Broadband contract, VoIP Services contract, or a Maintenance renewal on a phone system, it’s important to be aware of their upcoming renewal dates.

Don’t Miss Out on the Best Deals for Your Business

If you don’t track your contracts’ anniversary dates, they could auto-renew without you being aware of it. This means you could miss out on opportunities to save money by negotiating better deals or seeking alternative service providers.

When you work with TCI, our team will be your advocate when it comes to uncovering the best service arrangements and deals for your business, especially when it comes to:

  • Business Voice | Unified Communications
  • Carrier & Telecom Services
  • IT Services & Support

You can count on TCI for… 

  • Speedier negotiations and contract execution. No more wasted time comparing apples-to-oranges, trying to deal with one-size-fits-all solutions, or getting locked out of better solutions that become available
  • Improved savings and ROI through negotiated price reductions and/or quantity discounts
  • Reduced miscommunication and disputes with suppliers and service providers by leveraging Performance Guarantees and SLAs
  • Ongoing consultation to keep Network and carrier services in line with your business objectives

When it comes to getting better deals on your technology services, we’ve got you covered. Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Tips and Best Practices for Running Your Next Virtual Event

When social distancing brought in-person events and conferences to a screeching halt in early March, meeting organizers needed an alternate solution for the long term. Virtual events became the obvious choice, and many companies reworked their calendars and plans to launch digital conferences, workshops and meetings.

3 Essential Elements for a Successful Virtual Event…

  • Content – Plan to offer a variety of sessions that appeal to all levels of your audience. Some attendees may want to hear about the company strategy and attend roadmap sessions, while others want to talk to product experts. Some want to focus on expanding their skill set through training classes. Your content should be broad and deep enough to appeal to all types of attendees.
  • Balance – The second element is striking the right balance between static content and live engagement. You want to create a sense of energy, even though the event is virtual. Announcements and notifications of what’s coming up next keep traffic flowing and attendees engaged.
  • Planning – Most importantly, you need a strong project manager. With the exception of live sessions, almost everything is pre-loaded in a virtual environment. This means it’s critical to hit deadlines and the project manager plays a vital role in ensuring that everything loads on time.

Successful virtual events also need sufficient bandwidth and adaptable online collaboration tools to get – and keep – everyone connected. Your technology needs to support the different types of media, messaging and engagement options you’ll want to offer in order to maintain your attendees’ focus and interest.

Ensure your broadband and collaboration tools can support the virtual events in your future. Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

Home Office Upgrade… Get to Know Mitel’s MiVoice 6900 Premium Series

Mitel’s MiVoice 6900 series family of desk phones enables office and home mobility with one-touch Bluetooth pairing and seamless integration with your mobile phone.

Not only can you stay productive by easily switching calls between your desk phone and your mobile phone, you can have mobile and desktop contacts automatically sync between your devices.

6900 Series Video Introduction [44 sec.]

Mobile phone users can leverage the exceptional HD audio and comfortable ergonomics of the 6900 series phones for both IP and cellphone calls. The 6900 phones deliver crystal clear audio through a unique corded or cordless voice-optimized handset and high performance hands-free speakerphone.

More MiVoice 6900 Series Phone Features…

  • High resolution color displays: 3.5” (320×240) LCD, 4.3” (480×272) LCD, and 7” (800×480) Touchscreen LCD
  • Support for Mitel Teleworker, ACD agent and supervisor, hot desking, MiCollab Client and more
  • Secure encrypted voice communication, IEEE 802.1x authentication support
  • Quality of Service support – IEEE 802.1 p/Q VLAN and priority tagging
  • Dual 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports (LAN/PC), powered USB 2.0 Host port, sidecar expansion port, dedicated 4-pin modular headset port convertible to DHSG/EHS capable
  • Bluetooth 4.1 wireless interface

The 6900 series also offer a broad array of add-on user installable accessories that enable the phones to be tailored to specific user needs.

Get the convenience and productivity that come from adding mobility to your desk phones…Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Wi-Fi 6 Delivers More Range & Speed for More Devices

Whether you need improved Wi-Fi in a new building, across your campus or to support a growing number of mobile workers, TCI’s experienced network infrastructure team has the know-how to get the job done right. Give your staff and visitors the freedom to work on-the-go with a fast, flexible and secure Wireless Network.

Must-Have Technology

Also known as 802.11ax, Wi-Fi 6 nearly quadruples the speed offered by the previous standard 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), while delivering more efficient operation, tighter security, better ease of use, self-deployment, and long-term compatibility. Wi-Fi 6 also provides a more reliable user experience in areas of high demand.

Benefits of Wi-Fi 6

  • Consistent data throughput in dense environments
  • Wider coverage range
  • Increased reliability and reduced disconnections
  • Additional frequency spectrum for IoT and other monitoring devices
  • Power savings for wireless devices
  • Improved outdoor performance

With the advent of the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, wireless technology has taken a huge leap in performance. It’s ideal for connecting your current and emerging business applications, along with more devices and users.

Wi-Fi 6 is a must-have technology for today’s fast-paced businesses. Our experts manage all the details. Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

 

Work Arrangements for Reopening… Supporting Hybrid Workers at-Home and in-Office with UC

COVID-19 has become a global orientation session for remote working and opened the eyes of many to the productivity advantages of working from home.

As some employees start returning to the office while others remain at home – some permanently – it’s time to consider the best technology solutions for supporting this new hybrid work arrangement.

Unified Communications (UC) delivered from the Cloud offers a straightforward way to bridge your home and office workers. The cloud makes it easier to access company resources, like documents and spreadsheets, as well as meet and collaborate using built-in audio and video conferencing and messaging tools.

Mitel CMO David Silke sits down with Zeus Kerravala, founder and principal analyst of ZK Research, to explore the technologies and practices that will support the emerging hybrid work environments many businesses will adopt…

Watch the 27-minute Video

When it comes to customizing technology for your business or non-profit, we can map out the best mix of cloud, on-premises and hybrid deployments to connect your workforce at the office, in the field and at home.

Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

What’s Driving Adoption of Hybrid & Cloud Computing?

IT systems and data networks should move a business forward, not hold it back. That’s why companies in every industry are looking to the cloud. By using a network of remote servers to store, manage and process data, rather than the traditional local servers they might have on-site today, businesses can reap the advantages of high performance, reliability, affordable prices, easy collaboration, and secure data access.

And that’s not all… Hybrid and cloud arrangements offer a number of practical bottom-line benefits:

  • Deliver secure remote access to employees: Ensure your employees receive a consistent, high-quality user experience to rely on for secure access to the apps and data they need – no matter what type of network connection they use.
  • Provide employees with flexibility to work anytime, anywhere: Work is no longer a place – it’s something you enable with the greatest security and flexibility. Use app and desktop virtualization to embrace workforce mobility and empower your employees to work anywhere, anytime, on any device.
  • Empower mobile users without compromising security: Having sensitive business data stored on employee devices increases vulnerability. By virtualizing your apps and desktops to keep data secure in your datacenter or the cloud you don’t have to worry about lost or stolen devices.
  • Make managing desktops easier and more efficient: Implement app and desktop virtualization to automate and centralize management. You can stop patching and updating your employees’ desktops on an individual, manual basis – saving you time, money and frustration.
  • Get new employees up and running in minutes: Use any available devices – aging legacy PCs, thin clients, laptops or mobile devices – and reduce new employee time to productivity.
  • Keep employees productive during business disruptions: Empower your employees to work remotely during business disruptions – anywhere, anytime, on any device – with secure access to the apps and data they depend on.
  • Reduce IT costs: App and desktop virtualization significantly reduce your IT costs, management time, and complexity compared to traditional desktop management.

Many businesses are still under the impression that the Cloud is a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why having a trusted technology partner who can work with you to develop a cloud roadmap and strategy is so important.

Have questions about what IT platform and cloud deployment option is best for your business? Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Adjusting to Work at Home… Small Changes Can Help

Many of your employees and managers are still adjusting to the new challenges they face while working at home. These are unchartered waters for everyone.

Some of the folks you lead may have little or no experience working remotely.

Add in some young children who can’t go to school or daycare, or the need to provide care for an elderly parent, and you can begin to appreciate the stress of trying to balance work and family responsibilities.

Whether you are a manager or an employee, we are all called to be more patient and flexible. We’re all looking for ways to manage our converging responsibilities at home. With that in mind, here are some strategies that can make life easier.

  • Keep the focus on getting the work done as opposed to number of hours worked.
  • Take more breaks to relieve stress, improve your health, and maintain a better work-life balance.
  • Get outside and move… You’ll give yourself an energy boost so you can be more creative, productive, and responsive.
  • Consider extending the workday (or week) – start earlier or end later – so you have more time for family matters, chores, and catching up with friends.
  • Resist the urge to watch TV, view social media or shop online – before you know it you can waste a good part of your day.
  • Dress properly… You never know when you’ll receive a request to join a video call with a client or colleague.

Of course, it will take more than changing our behavior to overcome the challenges of working at home. Also essential are having the right technologies, connections, and apps in place to enable work to be performed efficiently and effectively. This is where TCI comes in.

We have proven remote workforce solutions for any size organization. Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

6 Ways to Organize a More Productive Home Office 

For some of us, remote working is nothing new, but COVID-19 has changed working from home from novelty to necessity. These tips on how to organize a home office for productivity will help your teams make the most out of their home office.

Tip 1: Select Your Office Space Carefully 

When selecting a space, keep in mind the amount of daily foot traffic and noise in that area. You want to minimize distractions. Being able to shut the door can be a big help. If you can’t get a separate room, you can alleviate some issues by purchasing noise-cancelling headphones and a standing, foldable screen that separates you from the rest of the family’s movements.

Tip 2: Natural Light

Try to set up your workspace in a room that has a few windows. Studies show access to natural light can have an impact on your overall work performance, mood and wellness.

Tip 3: Invest in Seating 

Investing in a chair that offers adequate back support may well be worth the investment. Since this is where you will be spending most of your day, you don’t want to end up with a bad back.

Tip 4: Decluttered Workspace And Storage

You’ll want all the items you need for work within arms’ reach. Keeping those items properly stored is key to minimizing distractions. If your desk doesn’t have drawers, invest in a rolling filing cabinet to store documents and miscellaneous objects that would otherwise clutter your workspace.

Tip 5: Computer Screen Configuration

Many people use multiple screens at their office for daily work. If this is the setup you’re used to, it’s best to mimic it at home. You can purchase monitors and mounts online that are easy to configure. And, be conscious of what people see in your background when video conferencing.

Tip 6: Customize Your Space 

There are an endless number of ways you can customize your home office for your personal productivity – choose what’s right for you. Printer, shredder, mouse or track pad, external keyboard or built-in keyboard – arrange everything you need to get the job done.

Remember, working from home takes getting used to, but following these tips can help put you on the right track. Providing the communications technology to keep you connected is our job.

Contact TCI today at ( 703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Re-Opening Reality Check… Getting to Know the Public’s Preferences for Getting Back to ‘Normal’

The conversation about the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted from shutting down non-essential businesses to how we can get back to ‘business as usual.’ But until a viable vaccine or effective treatment is widely available, you should expect many customers to remain wary. Based on our conversations, many leaders are privately planning for the possibility of working from home for months or longer. Others will need to come back in some kind of Hybrid mode.

State of the Nation polling reflects a very cautious public [PDF]

We’re in this for the long haul 

The public and private sectors will, of course, continue to adapt to serve their customers and constituents, and how you approach your workforce infrastructure will play a big role in how well you can respond to challenges and opportunities in the months ahead.

TCI can help your business stay connected

We’ve been supporting the DC region with customized remote workforce and business continuity solutions for 40 years. When it comes to customizing technology for your business or non-profit, we can map out the best mix of cloud, on-premises and hybrid deployments to connect your customers and workforce at the office, in the field and at home.

Hosted Voice, Unified Communications & Teleworking 

MiCollab & MiTeam Meetings for remote workers

Customer Contact Center 

Google Cloud AI-powered Virtual Agent and Agent Assist

Let’s talk about the technology you need to keep your workforce and customers connected. Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.