The benefits and popularity of remote working have been tested and proven over the last year. However, despite its benefits, being in the office has its very own advantages. We all love a fresh coffee, a dedicated workspace and of course seeing all your colleagues face to face!
So, with the desire to blend remote and office work, we are now entering the age of the best of both worlds, called hybrid working. A recent report from Accenture highlighted the staggering popularity of a hybrid approach to work.
Workers prefer a hybrid model 83% of the time. – Accenture.
Although a preferred method, it is still a relatively new one for many businesses. The 2021 report from Spiceworks Ziff Davis highlights 76% of companies are planning long-term changes to their IT infrastructure to support workers through hybrid processes (State of IT Report).
One of the most prominent changes and allocated business spending is upgrades and infrastructure supporting cloud services, phones and unified communications.
Cloud Computing Industry to Grow from $371.4 Billion in 2020 to $832.1 Billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 17.5% – Research and Markets
So, why is Cloud Phone Communications the fastest growing technology emerging since 2019. Also how will it support your business and teams through hybrid working?
Cloud Cuts Clutter and Costs
Hybrid is all about movement, from home to office and on the road. This movement and blended working style can often be slowed down or made stressful with un-mobile hardware, tricky lines and cabling needs.
IP voice solutions (business VoIP) means you can cut line rental. Cloud communications is powered through your internet. Additionally, you are combating those nasty and no need costs by cutting out line rental and cabling.
Making Old New
Fax to Email allows you to scrap GIGANTIC fax machines without losing the medium’s steadfast security and compliance features. No need to be in the office.
Depending on how often your employees move from home to office. Or indeed, your hardware budget, teams can continue to make business calls through BYOD. Therefore, no need to pack up your desk phone for the next commute to the office.
UCaas Offers More Ways to Communicate
As we mentioned, deskphones and PBXs aren’t made to be portable. Blueface, A Comcast Business Company UC offers more ways to communicate and collaborate. Enjoy the convenience of connecting your teams with intuitive cloud phones whether your business works from home or in the office using enterprise business phone system.
Blueface Desktop Phone App: Desktop Phone App allows you to carry all your communication needs on your Windows or Mac laptop. Enjoy the ease of use with clever call routing, IVR and all the rest. Additionally, you have simple click to call and answer through your laptop or desktop device.
Blueface Softphone Mobile App: The clue is in the name! The Softphone adds a business landline number to your mobile phone. Delivering the same in depth features like call recording*, on-net calls, forwarding and much more, all in one handy portable device.
More Ways to Meet
Imagine, 2-years ago, you would have never said you could close big deals, onboard new team members and even host your business Christmas party without being in the same country, never mind in the office.
Call Conferencing (International Bridges): Call conferencing offers an easy and secure way to speak with team members and external parties. Blueface provides unlimited local and international audio conferencing with up to 100-endpoints per room and Global Bridge Numbers from 60+ countries.
Video Conferencing: With the hybrid approach, all staff won’t be in the office on the same dedicated day. However, maintaining collaboration and connection across teams is vital. Visual and engaging meetings can still happen! Screen share will boost company culture and productivity too (it’s less easy to lose concentration on video calls.)
Hybrid Connect Every Number to Any Device
Hybrid working shouldn’t be a time-waster, spending an hour each morning and evening connecting your hardware, numbers and devices all over again. So the question is, what phone or device or even number will ring once you move from home to office or office to home.
Answer: Any phone or device you want!
With the visual UC Portal, you have complete control over all your devices, softphone, desktop app and all your numbers and lines. This enables you to simply switch your line to whatever device you need. Whether it’s your desk phone in the office or your softphone when you’re on the go.
Additionally, you can set up customised Ring Strategies and intelligent Call Routing. This means your team’s calls can be set up according to who is in the office or working remotely. Set up differing ring strategies, so your teams are connected, even when working apart.
Professional Front Desk (Anywhere)
Your front of house can now literally be from any place you choose. A receptionist is no longer tied to a physical desk space with the help of smart calling features.
Interactive Virtual Receptionist – IVR (included in every hosted package) allows your customers to be greeted by your virtual receptionist, no matter what line they call. Automate your greeting and guide your customers to the correct agent, whether at home or in the office.
Other CX enhancing features that ensure your customers get answered and your business gets represented no matter what is our handy Time of Day feature, which routes calls depending on the time or day.
Likewise, our Custom Music on Hold greets your customers with office hours, company updates and more. Both features can be added to any lines or devices. Whether your team is sitting beside you or at their kitchen table from home.
Are you ready for the Hybrid Working Revolution?
Ready or not, hybrid working is here and is one of the most popular working styles for employees. Your competitors are switching back to the office permanently (with no hybrid!). So, as we know – failure to prepare is preparing to fail!
41% of employees are considering leaving their current employer this year and 46% say they’re likely to move because they can now work remotely. – The Work Trend Index Survey.
Cloud Phone Systems from Blueface, A Comcast Business Company can dramatically lower costs, remove clutter and make migration from office to home and back easy and seamless.