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5 Ways Your Current Phone System Can Limit Your Success

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Has your phone system kept pace with the times? More importantly, is it capable of helping you meet tomorrow’s challenges? Here, we outline five attributes you’ll want to consider when you’re thinking about improving your technology.

1. Ability to Add Features and Functionality

Make sure your phone system can keep pace with technological change and has the ability to embrace cloud-based applications and customized solutions as required. Look for these features and attributes:

  • Third-party integrations allow you to take advantage of cloud-based business process applications.
  • Easy & intuitive communications tools that are as simple as consumer apps will speed adoption.
  • Admin portal enables users to make real-time changes to preferences, permissions and groups.
  • Flexible service plans enable users to change service plans in real time as their needs change.

2. Productivity

Is your phone system boosting worker productivity or draining it? Reduce employee frustration and increase productive work time with these features:

  • Find me – Follows employees so they can get the call the first time around, regardless of the device they are using.
  • Presence – Enables employees to see when other co-workers are available, in a meeting, on a call or out of the office.
  • Collaboration tools – Makes it easier to exchange ideas and get work done with video, instant messaging and file and desktop sharing.
  • Application integration – Boosts the power of your CRM by seamlessly integrating calling features, call histories and customer data.

3. Scalability

Nearly every organization can benefit from the agility that comes from aligning its phone system with business needs. Look for these attributes:

  • Plug-and-play – Provides phones that are easy to install without costly upgrades.
  • Flexibility – Easily scales to support both the office and your mobile workforce.
  • Reduced complexity – Avoids complications that add costs and hinder your ability to scale.
  • Intuitive – Supports easy deployment by administrators and enables users to quickly be productive.
  • Simple licensing – Delivers flexible licensing so businesses can scale up or down as their needs change.

4. Mobility

Does your current phone system provide the same easy features and functionality to all staff members, no matter their location or device? If not, consider these capabilities:

  • Mobile applications – Allows personal devices to be integrated with your phone network.
  • Connectivity – Wi-Fi/cellular call handover to stay connected everywhere.
  • Collaboration tools – Provides team and video collaboration, instant messaging, and conferencing to facilitate greater collaboration from anywhere.
  • Security – Delivers features that keep voice and signaling safe, even in public hot spots.

5. Your Budget

Consider whether a CapEx or OpEx budgeting approach makes more sense:

  • Purchasing a standalone system can add complexity and require additional staff and time-consuming administration, resulting in greater costs over time.
  • Consider productivity-boosting options to upgrade your system in an easy-to-manage way that frees up IT resources and saves money.
  • Add new capabilities that seamlessly work with your existing system as your business needs change – without having to pay for features you don’t need.
  • If your system needs a complete overhaul, it may be cheaper to move to the cloud.

Communications are vital to your organization’s success. If your current phone system is holding you back, it’s time to discuss an upgrade. Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Exploring UC as a Service? Questions that Uncover what Your Business Actually Needs

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With constant change, how can you be confident you’re making technology investments that will help your business meet the needs of employees and customers today while also supporting future growth? Unified Communications as a Service certainly makes it easier to scale and add new features as needed, but there’s a bit more to the equation that requires consideration.

1. What Technologies Will You Need To Future-Proof Your Organization?

Shared workspaces, single-click access to real-time audio and video conferencing, and a seamless experience across multiple devices are just a few of the features you may need right now. Unified interfaces and omnichannel communication are other popular features.

But what might you need in three, five or 10 years? You may not know the answer, so partner with a provider with a focus on innovation. TCI’s Mitel-powered solutions have a track record of being one step ahead. Mitel has been a global leader in the move to the cloud, and your local TCI experts have been supporting remote work well before it took over the working world.

2. What Type Of Workforce Do You Need To Support?

In-person, remote, hybrid – chances are your business needs to be able to support them all. Flexibility and scalability are the most important characteristics when it comes to meeting the needs of today’s ever-changing workforce.

What are the most important communications tools your staff needs to thrive no matter where they are? Some of the items that may be top of mind are a mobile-first design and a unified experience across devices.

Depending on your business, however, file sharing, archiving projects by subject or a personal dashboard for task tracking may be what your employees really need. Be certain the solution you select gives your employees a wide array of options when it comes to communicating and collaborating with each other. The system should make it easier to get work done, and employees should find it simple to use – from anywhere and on any device.

3. What UC Provider Qualities Matter Most For Success?

Every business will answer this question slightly differently, but you can’t go wrong by starting with your partner’s history and reputation. What do their customers say about them? What kind of success stories can they share?

And while a strong relationship can take time to develop, there’s still nothing wrong with trusting your gut. In your initial meetings, anyone who tries to push a cookie-cutter solution that doesn’t exactly meet your needs is definite cause for concern.

Does the provider have a history of reliability? How focused are they on security? Do they make you feel confident your business will stay connected no matter what challenges may arise?

It’s critical to properly assess your needs before you make any big technology investments. With TCI you can rest easy knowing your long-term success is just as important to us as it is to you. Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Call Recording… Capture & Archive for Improved Compliance & Customer Service

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Here are just some of the compliance regulations your organization may need to address:

  • SOX: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act
  • HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
  • PCI-DSS: Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
  • Financial Services Authority
  • FDCPA: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

For businesses that need to record voice transactions, service calls and other conversations as part of meeting their compliance obligations, there’s a convenient solution… Simply add a call recording capability to your phone system.

Just some of the benefits…

  • Better customer service
  • Timely training
  • Dispute resolution
  • Tracking down information for customers
  • Isolating critical aspects of each conversation

Today’s call recording solutions support single-site workgroups and multiple locations with advanced features. Monitor all calls, or record on demand. Recordings are stored anywhere you choose. You also have access to several useful features…

  • Search and retrieve calls for playback
  • Attach to email, link to CRM records, and more
  • Assign access rights to individuals and groups
  • View the real-time status of users

Learn more about how call recording solutions can help you organize and improve your business communications.
Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

The TCI Difference: Custom-Designed Solutions. White-glove Deployments. Outstanding Support.

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We are NOT your average Cloud, Hosted Voice or UCaaS Provider

Powered by technology from global leader Mitel, our Hosted “Unified Communications as a Service” solution fills a crucial gap in the DC Region’s fast-moving Cloud Voice market.

Whether you’re a small or large business, we custom design and manage every solution specifically for your unique requirements. Every TCI HOST/UCaaS client is provided a fully-featured, dedicated arrangement that doesn’t share resources with any other customer. Unlike “One Size Fits All” offerings, our solution will not restrict access to features or limit your deployment options.

Flexible Deployment & Acquisition Options

Exploiting the flexibility of IP technology, your virtualized UC platform may be deployed on your premises, in a public or private cloud, or any data center location, including TCI’s. You can Rent, Lease, or Purchase and we offer Fully Managed or Self-Managed support.

We’re Proven & Experienced

  • Providing service and solutions for 40+ years
  • More than 3,000 systems installed – local, nationwide, globally
  • Over 35,000+ lines under service contracts
  • Mitel Certified Voice & Data Technical Engineers
  • 24 x 7 x 365 Live Answer Customer Service

A Seamless, Easy Transition

Unlike other Business VoIP providers, TCI takes care of all the important details for you, from delivering phones to network testing and set-up, feature programming, training, and ongoing support. Ready to simplify and improve your business communications?

Learn more about The TCI Advantage

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

 

Attention Educators, Government, Non-Profits… Overwhelmed by the Bid Process?
Simplify with our Sourcewell Contract

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Your organization needs better technology… now the hard work begins. You face some important decisions:

  • What solution or service are you going to select?
  • How will you evaluate it?
  • How are you going to buy it?

While the bid and procurement process can be complex, time consuming, and overwhelming, your local TCI team helps you tap into Mitel’s national competitively awarded contract with Sourcewell to streamline and simplify purchasing the communication technology solutions your organization needs.

What is Sourcewell and how can the Sourcewell Contract benefit your organization?

Sourcewell – formerly National Joint Powers Alliance – is a service cooperative that provides programs and services to 50,000+ member organizations and agencies.

Sourcewell’s exclusive agreement with Mitel as its telecommunications provider is a multi-year contract allowing the public sector to access better collaboration and communication solutions through contract # 022719-MBS.

Who is eligible?

The contract is available to state, local & tribal government, education agencies including K-12, higher education, public or private, and nonprofits including churches, credit unions, and trade associations.

The advantages of buying through Mitel’s Sourcewell Contract

  • Offers the best value and is competitively bid
  • Streamlines the purchasing process, saving time and money
  • Satisfies the competitive solicitation process
  • Access to volume pricing nationwide

Simplify your procurements and learn more about our Sourcewell co-op purchasing agreement… Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

Migrating to the Cloud in Five Simple Steps

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A future with more features, better reliability and less maintenance awaits you with Cloud Voice services. This simple guide outlines the five steps to activating your new communications system.

Step 1 – Needs Assessment

  • Discuss your unique needs with us so we both understand all requirements you may have or critical systems that need special attention.
  • Review and document any differences between your new cloud service and your current system including updating business processes or workflows that leverage your existing system.

Step 2 – Demonstration

  • Schedule a time with TCI for a Cloud Voice demonstration so you can see the service in action and ask questions.

Step 3 – Migration

  • Review technical requirements and system design that fit the unique needs of your business as determined in the needs assessment.
  • Confirm compatibility with third-party applications and validate integrations.
  • Export user data and configurations from your legacy system.
  • Configure network and firewalls in accordance with best practices.

Step 4 – Number Porting

  • Sign LOA to port DIDs and Toll-Free numbers to your new service.
  • Set up new phones with temporary DIDs for UAT in preparation for cut-over data.

Step 5 – Cut-Over

  • Activate system using ported DIDs.
  • Download and install client communications and collaboration software.

At every step of the way, we’ll be working with you to answer any questions you have and ensure a smooth transition.

Now that you know the five simple steps to migrate to the cloud with TCI, let’s begin the process. Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

How to Improve Customer Service in Your Contact Center

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Until recently, most contact centers looked like a sea of low-walled cubicles with agents speaking into headsets – with all customer transactions occurring at a fixed office location. Today, contact center agents can work just about anywhere: at home, in hired office space, or even on the move from a mobile device. But that’s not the only benefit mobility has on customer service.

Here are five ways you can boost customer service levels using mobility and cloud-based services…

1. Manage resources to maintain service levels

Some ebb and flow in contact volumes are seasonal, while other times volume may be unexpected. Whatever the case, with cloud-based contact center software, additional seats can be ‘spun up’ in virtually no time at all. Staff at other locations can be redeployed to manage customer interactions during busy periods. Agency staff can be online and handling inquiries and home workers can be ready to go at a moment’s notice. When call volumes stabilize, you can return to normal staffing.

2. Improve access to specialist skills anywhere

In some environments, contact center staff may need in-the-moment access to specialists. Rather than put the customer on hold until finding someone available who can help, the agent can use presence to see if the specialist is online and then either dial that person directly or send him or her an instant message while staying on the phone with the customer. Of course, UC tools allow specialists to be contacted on the go too. If a customer has a question that an agent needs a specialist’s opinion on, the agent can quickly communicate with the expert via a mobile device.

3. Attract and retain staff

Traditionally, contact center staff had to be recruited from a specific geographic location to work in the local office. With virtual contact center technology, businesses can now access a much wider employment pool. That means that you can hire exceptional agents, whether they live near your business or not. This is particularly helpful for contact centers that require agents to have specialist skills, such as technical, medical or legal expertise. And once you find stellar employees, offering them the option to work remotely can help retain them.

4. Ensure your business is always available

Single-site contact centers that cope well during normal working hours may struggle to offer the same level of service at other times. It may be difficult for customers to access the right specialist after regular office hours, especially if the expert is required to work in a fixed office location. But mobility tools allow customers to get their problems solved at all hours of the day. Allowing contact center staff to work from home increases the likelihood you’ll find agents willing to work night or even split shifts, making it easier to offer coverage around the clock.

5. Ensure business continuity in the face of disaster

Cloud-based contact center systems offer resiliency and mobility, meaning you can continue to serve your customers with little interruption caused by power outages, public transit strikes, natural disasters and other situations that may leave you without a place for contact center agents to work. If your office gets knocked out, agents can work from another location or even from home. In addition, staff from other departments and in other locations can be drafted to handle contact center functions remotely.

Ready to improve customer service in your contact center? Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Understanding Voice Deployment Options & Selecting the Best Platform for Your Business

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TCI specializes in providing custom solutions designed to meet the precise communication needs of large and small organizations…

A variety of cloud deployments are available to connect your company and every location in your enterprise – dedicated private solutions, shared public services, or hybrid combinations of both.

Here are some considerations that will help determine the best platform or combination for your business…

  • What goes in the cloud? What stays? Start by identifying the applications that really matter and check for redundant functionality across applications; then focus on the key business and technical reasons for moving to the cloud. Use those decisions to shape the specific criteria for determining which applications should move to the cloud.
  • What level of privacy and security do you need? If you’re in government or a highly regulated industry like financial services or healthcare, you may want to consider combining a private, onsite platform with cloud services. A hybrid solution enables you to keep control of your communications infrastructure while still reaping cloud benefits like scalability, resiliency, and cost management. If advanced features, privacy, and control are essential to your business, dedicated private solutions will provide the customized tools and flexibility you need.
  • How important is reliability? If your workforce needs immediate and reliable access to complex data, like large multimedia files, consider storing your data using redundant onsite and offsite storage. If you operate a busy contact center, a dedicated private cloud solution combined with redundant backup can protect you from costly downtime – if you lose your onsite system, the cloud will be there. Likewise, if a network failure hits your cloud provider your in-house infrastructure will be your safety net.
  • Will the communications system grow and flex with you? For many small and mid-sized organizations, the public cloud environment can be very cost-effective. You typically pay on a flat, user-per-month basis. In addition, even though you may connect via a public Internet connection, you can overlay a private network service for added reliability. A hybrid solution gives you added flexibility to scale more broadband when needed, ensures reliability, and allows you to maintain control.

There’s even more to consider… Need help? TCI will help you refine your voice deployment strategy and implement a solution tailored to your specific requirements. Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Hurricane Season is Here… TCI Experts are Ready to Help Prepare Your Business Continuity Plan

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How Business Continuity planning with TCI helps protect your business…

First, our experts perform a thorough gap assessment to identify risks, threats and exposure before it’s too late. Then we recommend solutions and action plans to enable you to mitigate and effectively manage a crisis.

40% of small businesses who experience a disaster never recover…

TCI’s cutting-edge Disaster Recovery solutions are tailored to help protect your entire technology 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.

Make sure your business stays connected when disaster strikes. Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com

 

Simplify Your Technology and Your Life… Get to Know TCI’s Managed Support Plans

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Engaging an experienced, local technology partner brings a large pool of experts and technical resources to your business. TCI can help you take on any IT or Voice Communications challenge that comes your way, including upgrades, migrations, and relocations. We can even polish up and test your business continuity plans, so your organization doesn’t skip a beat during an emergency.

Full-Service Support

At TCI, keeping you connected is our top priority. We utilize best-in-class monitoring products to address any network problems detected. Our customers come first. TCI guarantees a timely response time and includes a primary technical consultant who visits your site multiple times a year, ensuring that your network is functioning at the highest level. TCI offers a comprehensive portfolio of resources necessary to install, integrate or upgrade new and existing communication networks.

Proactive Monitoring… Helping you maintain a healthy network

We take the steps necessary to monitor your networks, making sure they are running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. The steps taken to ensure the best in proactive monitoring include:

  • Monitoring of servers, networks, and pre-approved third-party backup solution/services
  • Guaranteed repair response time
  • Providing a primary technical consultant
  • Providing a business solutions consultant

As Needed, Prepaid Support… Flexibility when you need it most

TCI offers IT support on an as-needed basis with a flexible plan that supports budget control and cost savings. Time purchased through Prepaid Support can be used for any purpose, including project assistance, technology implementation, repairs, consulting, planning, and reviews. Here’s what else you get:

  • Guaranteed timely response time
  • A primary technical consultant
  • First-attempt offsite repair
  • Renewal notification when available time balance falls to 20%

Ad hoc Support…

Our ad hoc support is ideal for businesses and organizations with their own IT staff that may require occasional support to compensate for vacations, sick days, personal days, and unforeseen challenges. This level of support allows you to utilize TCI as often as needed. We offer the best in specialized expertise, project assistance, or development help whenever you need it. Ad hoc services include:

  • Troubleshooting hardware and software problems
  • Changing and/or upgrading hardware and software
  • Moving or adding new site locations
  • Monitoring networks and servers

Expand, upgrade, or integrate new technologies to improve your business and simplify your life… Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.