When considering transitioning to a Unified Communications System, companies often consider the positive impact such a system will have on workforce collaboration and productivity. The benefits of implementing a solution that unifies all the main in-house communication channels such as Voice, Messaging, Desktop Sharing, Voicemail, Chat, Fax, Conferencing, Video conferencing and Interactive voice response are quite obvious. By facilitating smoother interactions within the workforce, companies help employees better manage their time, work more effectively and deliver more valuable work. Plus, by integrating other tools like email, web applications, CRM systems and consumer support software, just to name a few, companies can even maximize their external communication efforts.
In the end, it all comes down to a great return on investment. However, this is not to say that employees do not benefit from using a unified communications system. By supporting a smooth communication flow within the company, UC solutions help employees manage their day-to-day tasks in a less stressful fashion, enabling them to prioritize important projects they feel passionate about, instead of going from platform to platform in an effort to reach out to their peers. There are plenty of automation options that can help ease the workload, and most UC systems offer presence options, so colleagues can know when someone is available for a helpful chat. And, if they are available, a simple click is all it takes to contact them and ask for assistance.
More collaboration. Better Productivity. Less stress. Unified communications seem to provide a win-win situation for both employees and stakeholders. But are all employees happy about transitioning to a UC system? After all, implementing change can be stressful especially for those who have to deal with all the technicalities and details of switching to a new system, while integrating existing hardware and applications. So, are the system admins excited about the transition? We definitely think they should be. And here are the reasons why.
1. A smooth transition thanks to the interconnectivity
The beginning of the transition is not all fun and games, but neither is upgrading an analog system or switching to a digital one. System admins are often required to stick to a limited budget while trying to come up with a solution that meets all the important company goals. However, UC systems are known to support interoperability between the new system and the previous one. This flexibility can make for a smoother, more gradual transition, that gives system administrators enough time to adjust their perspective and find the best solutions.
2. Easy integration for APIs
One of the most challenging tasks when implementing a new communications system is integrating different types of software that were not originally meant to work together. That’s why the state of the art UC solutions provide powerful APIs that enable system admins to flawlessly integrate different business tools into the system.
3. Reduced workload
Unified communications systems enable admins to easily create custom call rules, tailored to a specific company’s workflow. So, for instance, the whole process of configuring ring groups becomes much more intuitive and straight-forward. Plus, the system seems intuitive to the entire workforce, not just to IT professionals. All employees can easily start using the friendly UC interface without any rigorous training or assistance, cutting back on the hours the IT team needs to spend making sure everyone can use the new system.
Since UC solutions provide countless process automation possibilities, it’s only natural for Cloud-based solutions to also provide automated updates for the system itself. In this case, the system is always up to date, leaving the system admin to tackle more important tasks.
4. Enhanced mobility
Unified Communication systems would not be so popular if they did not foster mobility. Mobility is actually considered essential for improved productivity by younger members of the workforce. In fact, according to a study by Bentley University, 39% of millennials say that the ability to work remotely would help increase their productivity. But system admins also stand to benefit from this increased mobility. UC solutions also offer apps that can be installed on an employee’s personal device, so there is no longer a need for configuring countless business devices. Even when it comes to more traditional phones, system admins have less work on their hands. By using plug-and-play IP Phones, instead of devices that require an actual line, switching offices does not mean changing existing configurations. Consequently, the system admin does not need to worry anymore about making sure each phone keeps its extension.
5. Faster troubleshooting
Remote access and desktop sharing are a system admin’s best friends, especially when it comes to troubleshooting errors within a large organization, particularly if there are more locations. Plus, with the workforce becoming more and more mobile, the ability to fix issues regardless of their physical location is becoming non-negotiable. And rightfully so. All employees deserve access to technical support, regardless if they are currently working at HQ or at home. However, this does not mean that system admins can’t leave the office and offer on-site support. UC solutions enable them to do just that while staying connected to their peers. Thanks to mobile apps, the system admin can keep working even when they are on their way to a different company location.
To sum up, system admins who embrace change and unified communications systems stand to benefit from their versatility. Thanks to the countless integration and automation opportunities, these new unified solutions offer admins the chance to enable other employees to work more effectively and to start working smarter themselves. However, before jumping on board of the Unified Communication bandwagon, you should take into consideration the company’s needs and see how these match up against what UC providers are offering. So, feel free to do some more research on the Totalconnect site or simply request an offer to get a more accurate description of what features and functions are recommended for your business.