Unified communications specialist OneCloud Networks (OCN) announced the launch of its All Inclusive Small Business Package, which includes complete voice, collaboration and mobility functionality.
The package features voice, web meeting, chat/instant messaging, audio and videoconferencing and desktop sharing, in addition to traditional phone capabilities such as auto-attendant, music on hold, professional greeting, hunt group and voice mail.
The offering comes complete with unlimited long distance throughout the United States and Canada and comes with an app for computer, mobile device and tablet that integrates with the desktop phone. It also features Outlook integration, Chrome dialer, and full portal management capability.
“The previous generation still looks at the phone as the primary communication tool, and the rest in more of a systems category, such as web meeting, chat or instant messaging and maybe video conferencing, which is still assumed to be very expensive and not part of the daily business process,” Haider Mirjat, chief solutions officer at OneCloud, told eWEEK. “For this reason, if they use the various components of a UC solution, they typically use each piece separately from different vendors. UC from one app or vendor is still making its way into these enterprises.”
However, Millennials are quick to adapt to UC services, Mirjat noted. They appreciate the efficiency of having all their communication tools in one place, and love to click to video.
Another challenge businesses face when trying to deploy a unified communications strategy is network readiness in terms of local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), Mirjat said.
“The LAN needs to configured correctly for real-time applications like voice, video and collaboration,” he said. “On the WAN side, businesses need SLA-based Internet circuits to ensure real application performance.”
In terms of collaboration capabilities, the package offers full HD audio and video conferencing with moderator controls, desktop sharing, guest participation via browser, WebRTC and audio dial-in. What’s more, there is no need for multiple logins and numerous accounts, he said.
“Small businesses are all about mobility, flexibility and rapid response time. UC services, with consistent identity and functionality across all devices—computer, mobile, tablet, desk phone—will help them respond quickly, from anywhere, while consistently retaining their business identity,” Mirjat said. “This increases both efficiency and productivity, plus gives them all the capabilities of big business. Add this with the natural nimbleness of a small business, and they can quickly gain a competitive edge.”