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Connecting Your Senior Living Community – How TCI Brings Your Residents, Their Families, and Your Staff Together

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When families are evaluating senior living facilities, they are looking for amenities, responsive service and care, convenience, and peace of mind.

TCI supports your goal to deliver these benefits with advanced Communication and Networking solutions that better connect your residents and staff. We bring everything together to make sure your solutions work as one integrated system.

Comprehensive Communication Solutions

  • HIPAA-compliant Voice Communications Platforms and Service – Ensure secure and confidential communication for all healthcare-related matters.
  • Mobile Communications for Caregivers and Staff – Streamline staff communication, while improving efficiency and response times.
  • Facility and campus-wide Wireless & IT Networking Solutions – Provide seamless connectivity throughout your community to enhance resident and staff experiences.
  • Monitoring & Call Response – Implement rapid response systems for resident safety and to expedite resident care.
  • Customized Broadcast & Paging Systems – Deliver targeted notifications to specific groups, ensuring everyone receives relevant alerts.
  • Integration with Nurse Call Systems – Enhance care coordination and response times for resident needs.
  • Compliance Solutions – Ensure emergency services can quickly locate and respond to calls within your facility.
  • Video communications – Help residents and families stay connected to foster a sense of community and reduce isolation.

Enhance Resident Engagement and Family Peace of Mind

Our solutions go beyond basic communication, offering…

  • Digital signage for community updates and event reminders.
  • Family portals for real-time updates on resident activities and care.
  • Personalized resident profiles to improve person-centered care.
  • Voice-activated assistants to promote independence and accessibility.

Unparalleled Support and Service

We back up our customized Senior Living technology solutions with outstanding support:

  • Remote Monitoring and Managed Service & Support: Proactive maintenance and quick issue resolution.
  • Emergency Service and 24×7 On Call Technicians: Round-the-clock support to ensure your systems are always operational.

Why Choose TCI?

TCI is the DC region’s local source for customized Senior Living Community solutions that offer peace of mind to caregivers and families. Our integrated approach ensures:

  • Improved staff efficiency and communication.
  • Enhanced resident safety and well-being.
  • Increased family engagement and satisfaction.
  • Streamlined operations and cost-effectiveness.

By partnering with TCI, you’re not just implementing technology – you’re creating a connected, caring community that stands out in the competitive senior living market.

Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com to learn how we can transform your senior living community with our tailored communication solutions.

 

How Mitel Strengthens Your Existing Microsoft Teams Service

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For customers already utilizing Microsoft Teams for collaboration, Mitel provides a best-in-class integration of calling and voice functionality.

When receiving inbound calls, you can manage the entire call in one view via a pop-up notification. For outbound calls, you can click to dial in a small pop-up window and still maintain all call features without taking up your entire screen.

Use Mitel’s technology and easy-to-use app for integration with business apps where quick calling or pop-up calling functions are required.

Microsoft Teams is great for video meetings and sharing documents, but many business sectors still depend on customized telephony apps from third parties.

  • Schools and universities, for example, rely on mass notification via mobile devices to protect students, staff, and parents during emergencies.
  • Financial services companies must maintain inbound contact centers supporting call recording and other advanced telephony features.
  • Retail businesses need to connect workers on the sales floor to customer service applications via telephone to help customers in real time.
  • Healthcare facilities may use Teams for video collaboration between facilities, but what about emergencies where a doctor or nurse needs to respond when they’re not near a laptop? Telephony services can provide the critical link to life-saving answers in seconds.
  • Hotels may use Teams for internal meetings or drive customer engagement, but telephones still play a critical role in their daily life. Guests rely on in-suite phone services to contact staff and receive messages. Cleaning staff can use those same phones to indicate when a room is clean and available for guests.

Video: Making the Most of Microsoft Teams with Mitel – 1:20 min. Video

Mitel offers tools and apps that seamlessly integrate Mitel’s enterprise-class telephony features with the MS Teams platform.

Integrate your telephony system with Teams through Mitel’s Telephony-only client available in the MiCollab app and enjoy all the robust telephony features that Mitel offers.

Mitel also offers presence integration between Teams and Mitel telephony users, allowing users to see whether a colleague is on a phone call – regardless of platform.

Mitel Assistant is available for free on the Microsoft app store and delivers Mitel softphone capabilities to Teams users’ desktops as a floating app. Mitel Assistant allows you to make and transfer calls, search directories, set speed dials, import contacts, activate 3-way conferencing, and more from your Teams screen.

TCI and Mitel can help your organization improve teamwork in a hybrid world. Contact our Mitel + Teams experts today at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Insider Fraud – A Cautionary Tale and How to Protect Your Business Technology

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Insider fraud often occurs when trusted individuals exploit their IT access for personal gain or revenge.

Recently, the British Museum experienced an unexpected disruption when a former contractor disabled its IT systems. This incident highlighted the risks posed by disgruntled employees and inadequate access management. It also serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of insider fraud, which can have devastating consequences for businesses of all sizes.

In the British Museum’s case, the contractor’s continued access to IT systems after leaving the organization was a critical oversight. This scenario underscores the importance of robust offboarding processes and continuous monitoring of user access.

Mitigation Steps for Businesses

  • Implement Robust Offboarding Processes – Ensure that all access rights are revoked immediately upon an employee’s departure. This includes both physical and system access.
  • Update Access Controls – To prevent unauthorized access, access controls should be reviewed and updated regularly. To detect suspicious activity, use tools like user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA).
  • Adapt Zero Trust Policies – Limit access based on user roles and behaviors, enforcing continuous identity verification.
  • Enhance Employee Training – Educate employees on cybersecurity best practices and the importance of reporting suspicious activities.

By taking these proactive measures, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of insider fraud and protect their critical IT assets.

In today’s interconnected world, where communication systems like UC and VoIP solutions are integral to operations, safeguarding against insider threats is more crucial than ever.

Contact TCI to discuss your business communications security and compliance. We have solutions that can safeguard what counts. Call (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

Fix Dead Zones and Spotty Cell Coverage in Your Building

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Cellular connectivity in your building is no longer a luxury – it is a necessity for operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. With over 80% of mobile calls and data connections occurring indoors, ensuring that your employees and visitors can stay connected in every corner of your facility is critical. Poor signal strength or dead zones not only lead to dropped calls but also hinder productivity and negatively impact customer service.

Why You Need to Act Now

The challenges posed by building materials such as glass, metal, and concrete can significantly obstruct mobile carrier signals, resulting in frustrating experiences for everyone in your building. This lack of reliable connectivity can lead to wasted time, lost opportunities, and diminished morale among staff.

To combat these issues, you need a carrier-neutral, in-building cellular boosting solution that empowers you to take control of your wireless communications. TCI specializes in providing comprehensive coverage solutions tailored to various environments, including:

  • High-rise offices
  • Parking garages
  • Basements
  • Warehouses and manufacturing facilities
  • Arenas and entertainment venues
  • Hospitals
  • Campuses

Tailored Solutions for Every Space

TCI offers flexible cell signal boosting solutions designed to accommodate any space or floor plan. Our team of network infrastructure experts will work closely with you to design, configure, install, and support the latest technology that enhances connectivity with major service providers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

Your dedicated TCI project team will manage every detail – from conducting site surveys to configuring the necessary equipment that brings carrier signals into your building. We will deploy antenna systems and cabling that provide the robust coverage you’ve been missing.

Take action now – your employees and customers deserve reliable, seamless connectivity! Contact us today at (703) 321-3030 or info@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.

 

Connecting Your Business Made Easy… Get to Know TCI’s Infrastructure as a Service

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Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is an IT environment that is provisioned and managed by TCI.

With IaaS, you simplify your life and avoid the complexity of buying and managing your own IT and network infrastructure. Rather than paying a big upfront capital expense, your affordable monthly subscription covers everything you need.

TCI’s experienced experts handle all the details. We design, build, test, certify and support…

  • Structured Cabling – Inside & Outside Plant
  • Managed Wi-Fi
  • LAN/WAN
  • Mobile Devices
  • Endpoints
  • Server Rooms
  • Data Centers
  • UPS
  • Security

We’re flexible. You can own any aspect of your IT environment and subscribe to IaaS for only the elements you’d like us to manage. With your IaaS subscription, TCI performs…

  • End-to-end setup, implementation, and testing
  • Ongoing monitoring and support, including a 24×7 help desk
  • Upgrades that include new equipment as technologies evolve/improve

With 40+ years of certified networking experience, TCI’s trademark craftsmanship offers the expertise and project management you need for today’s technology infrastructure.

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

 

Contact Centers are Changing – Get to Know Our New AI-Assisted Customer Experience (CX) Platform

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TCI now offers Mitel CX, a new AI-assisted customer experience platform, which provides AI-driven agent and supervisor experiences. It also provides operational control, reliability, and security to mitigate business continuity risks.

Contact Centers: From Cost Reduction to Strategic Growth

Decades ago, businesses pursued cost reductions by offshoring customer service. These resource-heavy operations relied on lower-skilled workers to deliver a minimum viable customer experience.

More recently, a wave of transformation has seen businesses adopt Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS), which outsources technology management to third-party providers.

While these strategies achieve cost savings, they often overlook the most critical element: the customer. There’s a better way…

Mitel CX: Redefining the Future of Customer Engagement

Mitel CX offers a holistic approach, enabling organizations to deliver faster, personalized service while boosting employee productivity. This all-in-one platform supports omnichannel, AI-powered interactions with virtual assistants, voice, video, chat, and social media. It also includes a workforce management suite, outbound contact capabilities, advanced analytics, and comprehensive administration tools.

Key Generative AI Capabilities

  • AI Chat Virtual Assistant – Powered by generative AI and large language models (LLMs), Mitel CX Virtual Assistants automate up to 88% of customer queries with accurate, human-like responses.
  • AI-Enhanced Live Chat – Integrated ted directly into Mitel CX clients, this feature boosts agent performance with real-time response suggestions, next-step guidance, and internal-facing virtual assistants.
  • AI Assistant Builder – Enables businesses to create and manage databases for Generative AI to assess customer interactions, analyze company data, and generate precise responses.
  • AI-Driven Transcription and Sentiment Analysis – Automatically transcribes customer interactions for seamless CRM integration and assesses real-time sentiment using keyword and emotional language analysis.
  • AI-Powered Language Translation – Facilitates near real-time multilingual communication, enabling agents to engage customers in their preferred language.
  • AI-Driven Supervisor Tools – Equips supervisors with tools to coach, assess, and manage agent teams effectively, driving optimal customer experiences.
  • AI-Powered Analytics – Delivers deep insights through advanced analytics and reporting, empowering MiContact Center Business and Enterprise users to continually improve CX, operational efficiency, and performance.

Designed for Simplicity and Scalability

Mitel CX’s “single pane of glass” interface allows CX managers to customize user layouts through drop-in widgets. Agents can manage omnichannel interactions, integrate with their preferred meetings platform, and collaborate seamlessly. Supervisors gain additional tools like whisper coaching and barge-in capabilities to support teams in the moment.

Flexible Deployments

Hybrid flexibility makes Mitel CX an ideal alternative for organizations considering a move to CCaaS or perhaps re-evaluating prior CCaaS purchases, providing them with modern CX capabilities while maintaining control over their communication infrastructure.

For customers seeking a CCaaS-like approach, Mitel CX can be deployed in the public cloud with the scalability to support as many tenants as needed. It offers robust features and integrations to drive business success, delivered as a fully managed subscription offering.

Talk to a local TCI CX expert to learn more about this exciting technology… Contact us at (703) 321-3030 or info@tcicomm.com.

 

What is Multimodal Communication & Why Your Workforce Needs It in 2025

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Understanding ‘Multimodal’

Multimodal communication is about seamlessly integrating various communication channels into a unified platform, empowering employees with a toolkit they can use to address customer needs in real-time. Connect with customers via:

  • Phone calls
  • Video meetings
  • Instant messaging
  • Screen sharing
  • And more!

These multimodal options work across a mix of devices – from traditional desktop and mobile devices to industry-specific devices such as DECT phones in hospitality settings or HiMed Bedside Terminals in healthcare organizations.

Think of it as equipping your workforce with a Swiss Army knife of communication tools, each designed for a specific purpose and ready to be used at a moment’s notice.

Why Multimodal Matters

  • Breaking Down Silos: Multimodal communication bridges the gap between teams, knowledge workers, and back-office staff. It enables instant access to experts, information, and support, fostering a more collaborative work environment.
  • Empowerment Through Information: Multimodal tools allow employees to quickly access knowledge bases, product information, and training materials, empowering them to handle inquiries more effectively.
  • Enhanced Customer Experience: Multimodal communication improves customer interaction. Imagine an employee using video chat to demonstrate a product or screen sharing to guide a customer through a complex process.

The Power of Partnership: Humans and Virtual Agents

AI-powered virtual agents can handle routine tasks, answer frequently asked questions, and even triage customer inquiries, freeing employees to focus on more personal issues that require a human touch.

When a virtual agent encounters a situation that requires human intervention, it can seamlessly transfer the interaction to a live agent, along with all relevant context and information.

Implementing for Success

Your local TCI experts make adopting new technology easy. We work with you to design the right communication experiences so you can achieve your business objectives:

  • Choosing the Right Platform: The ideal multimodal platform will meet your customers where they are and integrate with existing business systems. We focus on solutions that provide the resiliency, security, and compliance required to protect your customer data during normal day-to-day operations, and that can adapt during crises.
  • Training and Adoption: It’s essential to equip your employees with the skills and confidence to use new communication tools. TCI gets your team up to speed on our services’ intuitive interfaces, and we provide ongoing support and training sessions to maximize the benefits of multimodal communication.

    • Multimodal communication is more than just a technology upgrade; it’s a strategic investment in employees and customers. By empowering teams with the right tools and information, you can unlock new levels of efficiency, collaboration, and customer satisfaction.

    Reach out to TCI to discuss technology solutions that will help your business get ahead in 2025. Contact us today 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.