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The Essential Role of Hybrid Unified Communications in Healthcare

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Improving patient outcomes with better UC technology

Hospitals and healthcare clinics are among the most complex technological ecosystems to manage. Staff and patients demand timely, secure, and dependable communication, while administrators often face shrinking budgets and increased regulatory oversight.

Hybrid unified communication (UC) platforms are now designed to address these challenges. They allow healthcare organizations to optimize their infrastructure and investments while maintaining data security. The latest UC features offer valuable integrations that streamline workflows, support frontline workers, and empower collaboration across dispersed teams. Let’s take a closer look…

Maintain Greater Control and Dependability with On-Premises UC

If there are reasons why 37.5% of healthcare organizations report exclusively using on-site deployments and another 12.5% relying on single-tenant private hosted cloud solutions, they are security and dependability.

For healthcare leaders, the top priorities are protecting sensitive data from hackers and ensuring mission-critical communications systems are always running.

During last year’s CloudStrike incident, hospitals and health systems across the country were adversely impacted, with the American Hospital Association (AHA) reporting clinical procedure delays, diversions, and cancellations.

On-premises UC solutions allow healthcare organizations to maintain greater control of their data. By hosting the infrastructure within their physical environment, they have complete oversight of their patients’ electronic health records (EHRs), financial data, and other confidential details.

Hybrid Cloud Solutions: Balancing Modernity and Security in Healthcare

We commonly hear the argument that on-site UC platforms lack the flexibility of cloud-based unified communications as a service (UCaaS), but that oversimplifies the diagnosis. Healthcare tech stacks are complicated. They often depend on legacy systems connected to custom integrations that support everything from EHR management and patient communications to specialized equipment and digital monitors.

In these complex ecosystems, there must be a delicate balance between leveraging modern solutions and maintaining data oversight.

This has healthcare leaders increasingly looking at integrated private or hybrid cloud solutions that provide agility with end-to-end encryption. This tailored approach allows organizations to identify where it makes sense to move to the cloud or stay on-prem. For example, the core on-site platform can remain intact at a central location. At the same time, new clinics or mobile units can utilize an integrated hybrid cloud solution that keeps providers securely connected with their patients and colleagues no matter where they are.

Hybrid Cloud ensures the control of on-premises UC while delivering the go-anywhere scalability of UCaaS. For this reason, it is no surprise that Frost & Sullivan projects hybrid deployments to dominate the UC market – 80% by 2026.

Support and Safety for Frontline Workers

Frontline workers are integral to our healthcare system, and their communication needs are unique. Most doctors, nurses, and support staff are constantly on the go, which means they need access to adaptable and versatile solutions that lead to a positive patient experience and streamlined workflows that make knowledge sharing more efficient.

Security is also a concern. Healthcare workers know challenging situations, but increasingly, they face situations where personal safety could be at risk. Last year, 81% of US nurses experienced workplace violence, including physical abuse and verbal threats.

That sobering statistic is why there is a further focus on the security of healthcare professionals in the workplace. While this requires multiple layers, technology does play an important role. Versatile and fully integrated multi-modal UC solutions like DECT handsets have built-in security features that provide dependable and responsive communication in threatening situations. Critical communications and notification systems can be vital in keeping everyone safe, informed, and connected during emergencies.

Adapting to Regulatory Changes

Healthcare is one of the most highly regulated industries worldwide, and for good reason. Trust between medical professionals and patients is integral to ensuring proper care, which is why strict controls over sensitive patient information exist. Several regulations, including HIPAA, GDPR, and Kari’s Law, are in place to ensure data is safeguarded and the public has direct access to emergency services.

Laws and regulations are constantly evolving and can be specific to certain states and regions, so technology needs to be able to adapt when required. Because on-prem and private cloud solutions are custom-built, updates can be deployed quickly to ensure compliance with changing regulations or legislation.

Enhancing Healthcare Communications through Tailored UC Solutions

UC solutions can create exceptional patient and provider experiences tailored to your healthcare organization’s objectives. Of course, you’ll also need to stay focused on ensuring reliability, security, and compliance.

With so many factors at play when optimizing your legacy solution or moving to the cloud, you’ll want the support and expertise of a trusted, local UC provider.

TCI has been supporting the DC region for 40+ years. We design, deploy, and support the UC technologies that bring healthcare providers and patients together.

Connect with TCI’s local team of healthcare UC experts at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Power More Connections: How TCI Helps Our Customers Grow with the Latest UCC Solutions

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The business landscape demands more than basic communication tools. TCI has evolved to meet today’s hybrid workplace demands.

We design, deploy, and support sophisticated unified communications and collaboration (UCC) solutions that drive real business value and strengthen connections…

  • Hybrid Workplace Solutions – A hybrid cloud approach combines on-premises security with cloud flexibility, enabling organizations to maintain control while scaling operations efficiently. This infrastructure supports AI integration and rapid service deployment, ensuring businesses stay competitive.
  • Enhanced Security and Control – Our hybrid architecture provides enterprise-grade security and data control, essential for modern business operations. Our clients can confidently manage sensitive communications while maintaining compliance standards.
  • Vertical-Specific Optimization – Industry-tailored solutions integrate seamlessly with existing technology stacks, maximizing ROI and operational efficiency. From healthcare to finance, each solution addresses sector-specific challenges and requirements.

Future-Ready Communication

Modern UCC is a strategic asset that drives competitive advantage in today’s business environment. TCI’s solutions empower organizations to:

  • Adapt quickly to changing business needs
  • Enable seamless collaboration across locations
  • Support mission-critical communications
  • Leverage new AI capabilities

For UCC solutions that drive business growth and innovation, contact TCI: (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

TCI Powers Business Connections & Control with Tailored Hybrid Communications

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TCI implements hybrid unified communications systems that combine the best of cloud-based managed services with an on-premises deployment.

Whether you’re pursuing growth, improving customer experiences, building culture, or reducing costs, TCI’s hybrid communication solutions can help you achieve your goals.

We’re ready to support your on-premises infrastructure and help you adopt the right blend of public, private, or partner hosting. Leveraging the flexibility of Mitel’s Common Communications Framework, our local experts seamlessly tie the right mix of solutions together for every client.

  • Common Experiences – Our hybrid cloud approach delivers consistency across your location, customer, and employee touchpoints
  • Integrating your UC and industry-specific solutions – With over 200 integrations, our Mitel-powered solutions enable value-driven connections with the business apps you use every day.
  • Control & Security – TCI’s focus on secure, resilient, and tailored communication solutions means you can depend on the highest performance and flexibility for your organization, all while maintaining local control.
  • Simplicity at Scale – Our platforms also allow you to scale with your embedded investments as you grow – up to 10,000+ users – and ensure operational continuity, compliance, and security.

TCI empowers you to adapt your communications with precision and confidence.

Get the planning conversation started… Call (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

2025 Budget Season is Here – Schedule Your TCI Technology & Business Review Today!

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Improving Operations with Better Technology Starts with Your 2025 Planning Session

With budget season here and 2025 just around the corner, now is a great time to start evaluating your office technologies and setting strategic goals.

A TCI Technology & Business Review gets you prepared for the new year, whether you’re looking to simplify your technology, connect your Hybrid Workforce, or thinking about Faster Broadband, Online Collaboration, Disaster Recovery, Cloud, or Managed Voice Services.

Not familiar with the latest innovations or apps?

We’ll get you up to speed so your business can connect more easily and become more productive than ever.

Schedule your 2025 planning session with TCI today. Call (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Zoom & Mitel Announce AI Hybrid Communications & Collaboration Solution

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A big announcement from Zoom and Mitel is putting the spotlight on their upcoming hybrid service bringing together best-of-both-worlds collaboration, advanced AI and voice capabilities.

Press Release here

Their unified communications and collaboration (UCC) solution combines the versatility of Zoom’s cloud-delivered services with the customer control of Mitel’s privately hosted and on-premises solutions.

Together, Zoom and Mitel will deliver security and control for your mission-critical communications, integrated with seamless collaboration that can improve your business continuity posture and boost your team’s productivity.

Taking Hybrid Experience to the Next Level

Zoom Workplace and Mitel’s Common Communication Framework support deep integration with your most valued business and vertical applications. Get the most out of your communication solutions with application integrations for your frontline and knowledge workers.

Business Continuity and Resiliency

Enjoy peace of mind knowing you have outstanding security protecting your best-in-class meeting experience. Seamlessly access Zoom Phone and Workplace, while taking advantage of your existing Mitel investments. Leverage the latest technologies with the Powerful Zoom AI Companion.

Deeply Integrated Workspace Meeting Experience

Enjoy a fully embedded, feature-rich UC and mobile app experience with no add-ons or plug-ins. You can use Zoom Phone with embedded support for Mitel’s Business platforms – deployed on-premises or hosted in the cloud.

If your organization needs a way to bring Zoom and Mitel together, let’s get the conversation started. Contact us at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Take Your CU to the Next Level and Amaze Your Members with the Latest Communication Solutions

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TCI and Mitel customize Financial Services solutions that deliver amazing digital experiences for both your valued members and your staff…

Check out how this can work for your CU – Video 2:50 minutes

Local Credit Unions Trust TCI

Regardless of where your employees work (branch, head office, contact center, home) and which department they work in (Accounts, Loans, Investments, Cards, Mobile/Online, Services), TCI has the desk phones, mobile devices, voice/messaging/video apps, contact center solutions, compliance recording tools, and emergency notification applications they need to be effective, productive, and engaged.

Elevate Customer Satisfaction to New Heights

Our suite of customer experience management and workforce optimization solutions can provide your clients with automated self-service as well as personalized, human-assisted services that increase Customer Satisfaction scores by removing friction from the customer experience.

Digital Transformation on Your Terms

  • Retain and Attract Members – TCI’s omnichannel CX solutions improve First-Contact Resolution (FCR), Customer Satisfaction (CSAT), and Net Promoter Scores (NPS) by improving the digital experience. Members can interact with you on their preferred channel (phone, email, SMS, Web chat, Virtual Assistant, social media, etc.) in both self-service and human-assisted service modes.
  • Increase Profitability – Steer routine customer interactions to low-cost, AI-powered, self-service virtual assistants and allow human agents to deliver more personalized client care. Reduce operating costs and improve margins with flexible deployment and payment options from TCI that allow you to choose the most cost-effective UC service option for your credit union.
  • Integration – Regardless of where you are on your digital transformation journey, TCI and Mitel’s Financial Services Solutions’ open APIs allow you to integrate seamlessly with your FinTech partners through an extensive Developer Program for custom applications and integrations. You can improve identity management with speech biometrics, mitigate fraud risk with speech analytics, and more.

Flexible, Reliable, and Easy to Use

  • Phone Systems – Take advantage of an exceptionally feature-rich unified communications platform that can be deployed on-premises, in the private/public cloud, or in a hybrid model with desk phones and soft phone options for employees working in the main office, branches, contact center, or remotely from home.
  • Contact Centers – Get everything you need to operate a world-class customer experience center including built-in workflow designer, speech IVR, AI-powered voice/chatbots and agent assist, historical reporting, and real-time dashboards.
  • Workforce Optimization – Empower your employees with interaction recording, quality management, coaching and learning, speech analytics, and workforce management solutions that are proven to increase both the efficiency of your organization and the quality of your customer experience.

Our team of experts is ready to help you design, deploy and support a customized solution that’s right for your credit union. Contact us today: (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

TCI Host Cloud Voice Connects Your Mobile Workers and Makes Managing Technology Easier

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In today’s remote working world, it is essential for your team to be connected seamlessly no matter what device they are using. If you are exploring ways to improve how your team communicates, TCI’s Host provides a locally supported, customized service with all-in-one collaboration and mobility tools, so your business won’t miss a beat.

Here are all the ways TCI Host helps you keep your employees connected – wherever they are – and how it makes your job easier…

1. Never Lose Your Place with One Stop for Communication.

How much time do you waste by losing the thread of a conversation? TCI Host makes all your communications available from a single hub on your desktop. It’s always there but never in the way. Keep an eye on every call and message and never lose sight of important details.

2. Work from Anywhere, Together.

Gone are the days when teams worked in close proximity and shared a simple project document. In paper, no less. Nowadays, though, team members can be anywhere – at home, on the road, in another country. To stay connected, multi-party videoconferencing, desktop sharing and audio conferencing are key. Everyone on the team can collaborate in real-time.

3. Take the Conversation Smoothly from Text to Voice with Ad-Hoc Meetings.

Big deal on the table? Need fast thinking and even faster decision making? TCI Host helps you connect with the one person who has the information you need to close the deal – at the precise moment you need their help. With one click, start a meeting and keep the conversation going.

4. Respond to Important Messages Faster with Visual Voicemail.

Nothing ushers in a greater sense of urgency – and stress – than checking your voicemail after a long morning of meetings. With our Outlook voicemail integration, messages are sent to email so you can scan and prioritize who to call back first.

5. Get to The Right Person at the Right Time.

The flexibility to work anywhere is a benefit – except when an answer is needed fast. With presence, employees make their whereabouts known to everyone in the organization. So, when a customer calls asking a question only a subject matter expert can answer, everyone knows where and how to reach them.

6. Be as Productive on the Road as in the Office.

Working outside the office is often frustrating because employees don’t have access to the tools they have in the office. But TCI Host transforms this experience. With its mobile app, employees take the office everywhere and get the same experience on the road as they do at their desks. Whether in the office or on the road, they can join a meeting with a single click, without the need to enter those cumbersome participant codes. It’s that easy.

7. Live in Your CRM…

Which does your sales team love more? Their phone or their CRM? Please, don’t make them choose! When you integrate your phones with your CRM application, salespeople never have to switch between the two. They stay in the CRM to make and receive phone calls. Plus, it saves them from the dreaded task of data entry. Just by answering their phone, items are automatically added to their to-do lists.

8. …Or in Outlook or G Suite.

Sales teams shouldn’t be the only ones who have all the fun. TCI Host also integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook and G Suite, easing the adoption of your new phone system throughout your business.

9. Do More, Spend Less.

Here’s one last thing you might not know, and it may be the best part… You can have a seamless and reliable communications and collaboration tool without breaking the bank. TCI Host offers everything as an affordable monthly subscription.

Our project team handles all the transition details to get it all going for you! Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Overloaded with Too Many Apps & Communications Tools? Here’s 5 Ways to Streamline

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The average employee uses 17 different cloud apps, 3 content-sharing services and 3 collaboration tools.

If this sounds familiar, it might be a good time to consider a unified communication system like Mitel-powered TCI Host, which includes collaborative tools that allow team members to assign tasks, share documents, schedule calls, chat and conduct audio and video conferences at the push of a button.

Consider these pointers for re-energizing and remaking your approach to collaboration and communications.

1. Identify the purpose and value of each communications tool

Start by identifying what frustrates people, where necessities fall through the cracks, or how customers could be better served. Then evaluate your current tools in terms of:

  • Does the technology help or hinder productivity?
  • Do your communications tools keep your team’s conversations seamless no matter what device is used – be it smartphone, desktop or laptop?
  • Do they create a common space where team members can easily communicate, share documents and set up meetings?
  • Can employees respond quickly and efficiently to customers?

2. Analyze the costs vs. benefits of your communications software

The goal of any communications system is to aid productivity and bring value to the business. The problem is technology – especially when it’s the newest thing. You have to ask yourself: Is the time spent using that latest app really achieving the outcomes you need?

Spend more time assessing the costs of your existing communications tools, from time wasted swapping between business apps to the monthly costs of separate collaboration tools. If you’re not getting results, use this as an opportunity to find more cost-effective, all-in-one communications tools.

3. Reduce distraction and optimize attention capital

Step back from the whirl of digital life by identifying what’s most important to you, then add / keep the technology that will support your priorities. In business, that means finding solutions to increase productivity by automating simple tasks like setting up meetings and improving workflows.

Start by automating and controlling who can reach you, and when. Need some time to tackle a major project? Use presence technology to tell coworkers you’re not available, or you’re only available via a specific channel, like text.

4. Focus on the customer experience

As you’re evaluating your communications tools, consider how your communications software impacts your customer’s experience with your business. Does your current solution enable seamless communications both internally and externally? Does it easily integrate with other essential systems, like CRMs? Can your contact center agents quickly access the information and internal resources they need, when they need it? The answers to these questions directly impact your responsiveness to customers.

5. Make it convenient to work anywhere

With more team members working remotely – on the road, from a home office or in the field – reach out to them and find out what headaches they’re experiencing. Do your collaboration tools enable them to easily communicate and respond quickly to customers? Can they access information and people easily from their smartphone? Look for a communications solution like TCI Host, TCI’s Cloud Voice Service that allows your staff to access everything they need via a web portal.

Take a fresh look at your communication solutions to ensure you’re offering the best user experience. Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.
 

The Best of Cloud & On-Prem – 3 Big Advantages of Hybrid UC Deployments

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For years, the focus of IT and telecom decision-makers has been on moving communications to the cloud. Many accepted the idea that all communications would eventually be handled as a cloud-based service.

However, the notion of a “cloud utopia” starts to break down when you consider the significant investments that many organizations have made in on-premises solutions. There’s also a common perception that business communications are too important to relinquish total control.

As a business leader, you may be faced with the decision of whether to go all-in on the cloud or maintain an on-premises communications infrastructure. The good news is that there’s a third option that can provide the best of both worlds: a hybrid approach.

A hybrid solution allows you to leverage the benefits of cloud-based communications while still retaining control and customization over your on-premises systems.

3 Advantages of a Hybrid Solution for Business Leaders

1. Innovate Today, Migrate Tomorrow – The key benefit of a hybrid approach is that you can deliver enhanced communications capabilities, like video conferencing, mobility, and team collaboration, from the cloud while retaining your existing on-premises platform for telephony services. This allows you to manage your growth by deploying new UC and contact center (CC) solutions in the cloud with a flexible, OpEx-based model, while still leveraging your previous on-premises investments for long-term ROI. Additionally, you can expand communications to frontline workers using a serverless, cloud-based approach that integrates with your on-premises UC system, providing a consistent user experience.

2. Different Needs, One Platform – As a business with diverse locations and user requirements, the challenge of going “all-in” on cloud or on-premises is accommodating the exceptions. A hybrid architecture allows you to tailor your communications solution to meet the specific needs of your organization. For example, you can keep telephony on-premises at locations that require it for regulatory reasons or internet redundancy, while deploying cloud-based UCaaS at smaller remote sites. This mix-and-match approach ensures you can meet the unique requirements of your multi-location business.

3. Everything Has Its Place – Unified communications is often a suite of loosely integrated applications, which creates an opportunity for a hybrid approach. You can continue to deploy mission-critical call control on-premises while moving less critical applications to the cloud. Additionally, you can integrate cloud-based UC services, such as mobility and collaboration with your on-premises telephony to optimize virtual team meetings, enable remote access, and even allow for programmable communications through cloud-based APIs.

A hybrid communications approach can provide the flexibility, scalability, and control you need to meet your evolving communications requirements. By leveraging the strengths of both cloud and on-premises solutions, you can innovate today while maintaining your existing investments for the long-term.

Connect with our UC experts to discover new ways to customize communications that will future-proof your enterprise. Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.
 

DC Region’s Extreme Weather & Stronger Storms… Protect Your Business with Cloud & Business Continuity Planning

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TCI’s cutting-edge Disaster Recovery solutions are tailored to help protect your entire IT environment – from data and applications to office computers, mobile devices, networks, and phone systems.

Will your business continue to operate when disaster strikes?

Here are just some of the ways TCI’s comprehensive approach helps you safeguard what counts:

  • Determine appropriate risk reduction strategies, remedies, and alternatives for critical systems and networks, including affordable ways to address voice and data protection measures like off-grid power sourcing and secure off-site storage.
  • Enable a remote work program that can keep your business open when your office is shut down during an emergency.
  • Avoid critical data loss or recovery delays dealing with missing databases, disrupted systems, networks, and more.

And if you’re considering moving to the cloud, remember you don’t have to do it all at once.

Create a plan. Identify what should stay in-house and what should go to the cloud. Focus on what you’d need to operate if a major interruption or disaster occurred. Determine the connectivity your employees need to do their jobs remotely. Also, work toward consistent and seamless end-to-end communications. TCI can help you build a hybrid or full cloud solution that meets your business needs.

The cloud gives your company the agility it needs to respond to any disruption, be it a natural disaster, pandemic, security breach, or a failure of your network or hardware.

Schedule your Business Continuity planning session today. Contact TCI at (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.