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Connecting DC-Area Schools & Higher Ed with AI-Enabled Mitel CX Communications

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As education in the DC region evolves amidst new challenges, school and campus leaders are under increasing pressure to modernize communications, enhance security, and create exceptional experiences for students and staff. Today’s education leaders face:

  • Escalating cyber threats targeting sensitive information.
  • Ever-changing privacy and legislative requirements.
  • The demand for seamless, real-time communication – especially during emergencies.
  • The need to deliver personalized student experiences in a digital-first world.

Institutions no longer have the luxury to address these needs piecemeal. Instead, a comprehensive solution is needed – one that bolsters security, enhances daily operations, and makes student lives easier.

Introducing Mitel CX for Education

  • All-in-One platform – Mitel CX is a complete customer and employee engagement platform that minimizes the pain and frustration of having to integrate solutions from multiple vendors.
  • Single Pane of Glass – Built on Mitel’s Common Communications Framework, Mitel CX’s fully-converged, single pane of glass experience for agents and staff boosts employee engagement and optimizes first-contact resolution.
  • Powered by Generative AI – GenAI-powered virtual agents that provide intelligent automation of repetitive tasks and repeated problem resolution, leaving complex inquiries to human agents assisted by GenAI knowledge bases for optimal CX and cost effectiveness.

The TCI team will design, deploy, and support your CX service using a tailored approach that ensures seamless integration with your current systems. You’ll appreciate our expert guidance through every transition stage. And our clients especially appreciate our ongoing support to keep their operations resilient and connected.

Mitel CX is redefining school and campus operations with key benefits that include:

  • Security and Compliance – Protects sensitive student and staff data with advanced safeguards; supports compliance with standards like FERPA, Kari’s Law, and Ray BAUM’s Act. Features such as voice biometrics and AI-driven compliance controls help reduce fraud and regulatory risk.
  • Operational Efficiency – Integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure, allowing modernization without costly overhauls. Enhanced workflows and self-service functionality let IT and administrative teams do more with less.
  • Reliable Emergency Communication – Combines with mass notification tools (e.g., Mitel Revolution) to deliver urgent alerts or advisories across campus groups in real time, ensuring everyone is informed and protected during unexpected events.
  • Enhanced Student Experience – GenAI virtual agents resolve common inquiries instantly, freeing staff for complex issues. Multichannel access – from phone to chat – keeps students connected to support services, academic advisors, and administrators.

Empower your institution for tomorrow’s challenges. Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.

 

Why DC-Region Decision Makers Connect Their Organizations with TCI Host Cloud Voice Service

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Communications built for the real world of work—secure, resilient, and ready for constant change.

In the Washington, DC region, decision makers are turning to TCI Host Cloud Voice—a customized, Mitel-powered service deployed by TCI—to transform how their organizations communicate, collaborate, and thrive. Here’s why TCI Host Cloud Voice stands out as the communications solution of choice for forward-thinking enterprises across the DC metro area.

Built for Real-World Demands

TCI Host Cloud Voice is designed to move with your teams, supporting productivity whether employees are in the office, remote, or on the go. The platform delivers secure, specialized, and workflow-ready tools that empower your staff to connect and collaborate seamlessly—no matter where work happens.

Security and Resilience at the Core

Security and business continuity are non-negotiable, especially in sectors like government, education, healthcare, and financial services. TCI Host Cloud Voice leverages Mitel’s proven, enterprise-grade security architecture, ensuring your communications remain protected and compliant. With TCI Host, you gain the confidence that your sensitive data and conversations are shielded from evolving threats, supporting both regulatory requirements and internal controls.

Flexible Solutions for Every Industry

From educational institutions prioritizing student safety and hybrid learning, to healthcare providers demanding HIPAA-compliant communications, to financial firms balancing regulatory compliance with customer service—TCI Host Cloud Voice adapts to your unique needs. Our hybrid, cloud, and on-premises deployment options allow you to modernize at your own pace, extend the value of existing investments, and scale as your organization grows.

Hybrid Communication: Strategic, Not Just Technical

Enterprises aren’t choosing hybrid solutions for simplicity—they’re doing it to balance legacy investments, support diverse communication needs, and modernize on their own terms. TCI Host Cloud Voice enables you to:

  • Enhance collaboration across teams and locations
  • Strengthen data control and security
  • Scale consistently across platforms
  • Unlock advanced features without overspending
  • Maximize investment protection while transitioning to the cloud

Deployment Flexibility and Local Expertise

TCI Communications brings four decades of regional expertise to every deployment, ensuring your organization’s unique requirements are met with tailored solutions. Whether you need a private, public, or hybrid cloud approach, TCI’s local team delivers minimal disruption and maximum impact, allowing you to adopt new technology at your own pace and focus internal resources on strategic initiatives.

Empowering the Modern Workforce

With TCI Host Cloud Voice, your teams and customers are equipped with the right tools to connect, collaborate, and succeed. The platform supports:

  • Unified communications: voice, video, chat, and screen sharing
  • Mobile-first experiences for productivity anywhere
  • Easy integration with existing workflows and applications
  • End-to-end managed services for ongoing support

Trusted by Leading Organizations

Leading DC-area enterprises across industries trust customized UCaaS solutions deployed and supported by TCI for their reliability and flexibility—all backed by our commitment to helping you achieve your business outcomes.

Choose TCI Host Cloud Voice—where security, flexibility, and local expertise meet to propel your organization forward. Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com

 

Weather Any Storm with a Resilient Communication Infrastructure

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In today’s always-on business environment, communication is more than just a necessity – it’s the backbone of your organization’s success. Any disruption, whether from cyber threats, natural disasters, or system failures, can quickly escalate from a minor inconvenience to a major crisis.

A resilient communication infrastructure can help safeguard your brand, ensure business continuity, and maintain your competitive edge. No matter the circumstances, you want your organization to function and thrive, so what do you need to focus on?

  • Resilience – Disruptions are inevitable. A resilient communication infrastructure ensures operational continuity and rapid recovery.
  • Cybersecurity – Comprehensive cybersecurity measures are essential to protect your data, operations, and reputation from network attacks, ransomware, phishing, and social engineering.
  • Compliance – Meeting and exceeding industry standards for data privacy and security isn’t just about avoiding penalties; it’s about building trust with your customers and partners. Ensuring you meet local, state, and federal regulations is non-negotiable.

True resilience comes from never resting, always evolving, optimizing, and fortifying the infrastructure that keeps your organization connected and secure.

Meet Today’s Challenges and Stay Ahead of Tomorrow’s

At TCI, we understand the unique challenges facing modern enterprises in the DC region. Distributed workforces, rising customer expectations, and an ever-changing threat landscape demand communications that are both robust and agile. We deliver and support…

  • Hybrid Infrastructure – Our hybrid cloud solutions offer the flexibility and control you need. With built-in redundancies, geo-separated deployments, and seamless failover capabilities, we minimize downtime and maximize resilience.
  • Security by Design – From vulnerability intelligence to secure application development and advanced encryption, our Mitel-powered solutions meet the latest security standards, ensuring end-to-end protection.
  • Uncompromising Compliance – Our solutions comply with leading standards such as DoD JITC, DORA, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, and ISO 27001.
  • Sovereignty Built-In – We provide flexible deployment options to meet data residency requirements and compliance mandates, giving you full control over your data and operations.

Flexible Deployment Options for Every Need

  • Cloud Deployments – Scale effortlessly and respond to changing demands with our secure public and private cloud options.
  • Premises Deployments – For organizations needing on-site control and customization, our premises solutions deliver unmatched reliability and flexibility.

Global events, such as the CrowdStrike outage, have exposed the vulnerabilities in even the most advanced systems. TCI’s clients remained unaffected, a testament to our commitment to resilient communications. Whether you’re ensuring compliance with regulations like Alyssa’s Law in education or supporting mission-critical financial operations, TCI delivers tailored industry solutions that help protect your business.

Invest in Your Future

Building resilience is a strategic investment in your organization’s future. TCI provides the expertise and technology to build, manage, and future-proof your communication infrastructure, ensuring your organization can weather any storm.

Ready to safeguard your organization?

Let us help you build a resilient, secure, and future-ready communication foundation.

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

 

Evolving Threats Require a Multi-Layered Cybersecurity Strategy that Includes Your UC

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The cyber threat landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by AI, increasing connectivity, sophisticated adversaries, and the widespread adoption of cloud and remote work environments.

New vulnerabilities are rising. Ransomware remains the top concern, while cyber-enabled fraud, including phishing and business email compromise, is the second most significant threat. Supply chain attacks and AI-powered intrusions are also escalating, exploiting weak third-party defenses and leveraging automation to bypass traditional security measures.

Fueling these threats is AI, which cybercriminals use to craft highly convincing phishing campaigns and automate attacks. The expansion of connected devices and cloud migration increases attack surfaces, making endpoint protection and cloud security paramount. Human factors remain critical, as social engineering exploits employee vulnerabilities.

To mitigate these risks, business leaders should adopt a multi-layered cybersecurity strategy:

  • Implement Zero Trust Architecture to continuously verify every user and device accessing network resources, minimizing lateral movement within systems.
  • Leverage AI-driven threat detection for real-time anomaly identification and proactive defense.
  • Enforce robust cloud security practices, including encryption, identity and access management, and continuous monitoring.
  • Prioritize employee cybersecurity training to strengthen the human firewall against phishing and social engineering.
  • Maintain regular backups and disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity in case of ransomware or data loss.
  • Conduct ongoing vendor risk assessments to secure the supply chain.
  • Ensure compliance with evolving industry regulations to avoid penalties and build customer trust.

We understand the complexity of today’s cyber threats. Work with TCI to ensure your UC services are safeguarding your business communications.

Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com

 

UC Your Way – Leveraging the Power of Hybrid Communications with TCI

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Resilient, flexible, and secure communications with deep integrations into your most valued business applications – it’s UC your way.

TCI powers connections tailored to your organization’s needs. Whether you’re pursuing growth or improving customer experiences, building culture or reducing costs, TCI’s hybrid communication solutions deliver unmatched flexibility and control to help you achieve your goals.

With over 200 app integrations, our Mitel-powered solutions not only enable better connections but also allow you to scale efficiently while ensuring business continuity, compliance, and security.

The flexibility of our UC platforms seamlessly ties everything together. Whether you choose to maintain on-premises infrastructure or adopt a blend of private-hosted and partner-hosted models, we enable you to adapt with precision and confidence.

  • Common Experiences with Deep Integrations – Our hybrid cloud approach delivers seamless experiences across customer and employee touchpoints with deep integrations into UC and industry-specific solutions. The results mean support for diverse knowledge and frontline worker needs.
  • Simplicity at Scale – TCI offers scalable solutions that support up to 10,000+ users with secure cloud options, and we provide a path to the cloud at your pace, using existing investments and supporting your business continuity.
  • Control & Security – Our focus on secure, resilient, and tailored communication solutions means the highest performance and flexibility for your organization while you maintain control.
  • UC Integrations with Vertical Apps – Our vertical communication solutions, in conjunction with 200+ applications, seamlessly blend on-premises and cloud technologies. We work closely with you to connect your unique workflows.
  • Single Integrated Experience – Through a common user experience across UC and Contact Center applications, we can tailor your communications to improve employee engagement and productivity regardless of location or job function.

TCI’s customized approach to hybrid communications will fit your organization today and keep up with your goals for tomorrow.

For UC your way, contact us at (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.

 

Why Desk Phones Remain Essential in Today’s Workplace

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The tools we use to communicate and collaborate are constantly evolving. With the rise of soft clients for chat, video conferencing and mobile devices, it’s natural to wonder if traditional desk phones still have a place. However, despite these advancements, desk phones continue to offer unique benefits that make them indispensable for many businesses.

The Limitations of Alternative Communication Tools

While soft clients and mobile devices have become integral parts of our communication ecosystem, they also come with limitations. These tools can suffer from poor voice quality, reduced reliability, and security risks. For instance, mobile devices can run out of power or experience poor signal quality, which can disrupt critical business calls. Additionally, soft clients may not provide the same level of security and privacy as dedicated desk phones.

The Value Proposition of Desk Phones

Desk phones offer several key advantages that make them a valuable companion to other communication tools:

  • Reliability and Quality – Desk phones provide clear and uninterrupted voice communication, which is crucial for professional settings. They are less prone to signal issues or battery drain, ensuring that important calls are not disrupted.
  • Security and Privacy – Desk phones offer secure and private lines of communication, which are essential for sensitive business discussions.
  • Ease of Use – Desk phones are straightforward to operate, requiring no special training, unlike some soft clients that may need setup and configuration.

Choosing the Right Tool for the Job

When deciding between desk phones and soft clients, consider the following:

  • Connection Reliability – Do you need a connection that won’t drop or degrade during critical calls?
  • Device Availability – Can you afford to have a device run out of battery during an important conversation?
  • Security Needs – Do you require secure communication lines?
  • Audio Quality – Is high-quality audio essential for your business interactions?
  • Emergency Preparedness – Does your business need a resilient phone system for emergency communications?

If these factors are important, desk phones are the better choice.

The Future of Desk Phones

As technology continues to evolve, desk phones are poised to become even more versatile. With integrations into the Internet of Things (IoT) and connections to your key systems, they can provide additional functionalities beyond person-to-person communication, such as sharing office utilization data or security information.

While new technologies are exciting, the enduring capabilities of desk phones make them a vital part of any business communication system. They offer reliability, quality, and security that are hard to match with other tools.

Your local team of TCI experts can brief you on the latest devices. They’re designed to meet the needs of everyone in your organization. Contact us at (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.

 

TCI Makes Access Control Easy – Improve Your Building Security from Your Phone

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While data security is crucial, protecting customers and employees from physical threats is equally important. Security cameras have become standard equipment in schools, hospitals, hotels, and businesses, serving as a front line of defense.

However, integrating these video feeds into a broader unified communications (UC) platform can be challenging. TCI offers a solution that simplifies this process which allows you to manage building access right from your phone.

Advanced Access Control Solution

TCI’s cutting-edge Access Control solution integrates seamlessly with your existing communications infrastructure, offering:

  • Live video display on your videophone when someone approaches your doors
  • Real-time audio feed for communication with visitors
  • Pop-up buttons on your phone to lock or unlock doors
  • Ability to send notifications to employees, students, or emergency services in case of an incident

This customized solution from TCI combines various technologies to create a unique solution to specific security challenges.

How It Works

  • A visitor arrives and rings the video doorbell camera.
  • This triggers a call to the receptionist’s IP phone.
  • The phone’s video screen displays a real-time video feed, indicating which door is the source.
  • After a brief conversation, the receptionist can open the door via an on-screen button.
  • In case of a potential threat, they can select an “evacuate” button to notify security or emergency services.

Stay Ahead of Potential Threats

TCI’s Access Control solution extends the functionality of existing products by integrating them with third-party solutions and services. It combines:

  • Voice, video, and messaging capabilities
  • IP phones supporting real-time video feeds and touch-activated prompts
  • Text-based messaging for emergency and non-emergency situations
  • Third-party products like video cameras, screen-capture software, SIP-enabled remote access control systems, and local alarm services

By tying everything together, TCI can transform your IP phone into a security command center that controls communication, identification, and notification.

Experience the future of facility security with TCI’s innovative Access Control solution. Contact your local TCI team at (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.

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.

 

How a Hybrid Cloud Approach Maximizes Your Communications Flexibility

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Organizational processes, culture, and goals are constantly changing, and your communication landscape must adapt to keep pace. With over 40 years of UC experience, TCI understands the critical elements a communication landscape needs to drive organizational success.

Increasingly, organizations are finding that a hybrid cloud approach to communications is the key to achieving this flexibility. Here’s why:

  • Alignment with Organization Growth: Your communication tools should directly support your core organization goals. This includes boosting productivity, enhancing customer experiences, and improving employee efficiency. For many organizations, this means effectively serving frontline workers who are crucial to operational success.
  • Data Control and Security: Maintaining control of your organization’s data is paramount, especially with the rise of generative AI and varying international data regulations. A hybrid cloud approach allows you to keep sensitive data within your control, ensuring compliance and mitigating security risks.
  • Integration with Legacy Systems: Many organizations rely on legacy systems that can’t be easily moved to the cloud, such as specialized equipment or industry-specific applications. A hybrid cloud model lets you embrace new technologies while seamlessly integrating with these essential existing systems.

Beyond these core reasons, a hybrid cloud communication solution also offers:

  • Organizational Flexibility: Adapt to changing market dynamics and organizational needs without being locked into a single solution.
  • Workplace Diversity: Support a diverse workforce with communication tools that cater to various roles, work styles, and locations.
  • Elevated User Expectations: Meet the demands of today’s users who expect seamless communication across their preferred devices and channels.

A hybrid cloud approach empowers your organization to navigate the evolving communication landscape and achieve sustainable growth.

Let’s explore how integrating hybrid services can help grow your business. Contact TCI today 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.