Technology and communication have developed and advanced exponentially in the past decade, opening-up new avenues of achieving efficient communication between individuals and businesses. Long gone are the days where communication options were restricted to landline phones. Advancements in technology have made more efficient and portable communication devices available, and more and more service providers are using wireless systems and data packages to their advantage. (Information credit: http://www.oxbowsa.co.za/xerox-cape-town/)
The importance of an effective and responsive communication system to a business cannot be overstressed. As well as offering convenience, installation, maintenance and organisations, these communications systems ensure that the workflow is never interrupted. They also become the most cost effective option, lowering phone bills while raising productivity.
Qualities of a Good Telecommunications System
Picking the right communication system is crucial for the success of any business, allowing seamless connectivity to aid business activities. The qualities of the ideal telecommunications system are listed below:
1. Reliable: The ideal telecommunications service will have the necessary resources to identify any problem and provide a solution. They should have a competent customer service team for effective troubleshooting.
2. Customized services: As no two businesses are identical, their individual requirements may vary as well. A good service provider will have customised solutions for each kind of business. For example, a good service provider will always have plans that cater to a big corporate setting as well as a small business like a hotel or nursing home.
3. SLA: SLA’s or service level agreements should be made with the service provider after installation. Any malfunction that results in a loss of communication can affect the business both externally and internally. Customers are unable to get through to the business and the staff cannot function properly if the internal connection is down. Thus SLA’s ensure that a reasonable turnaround time is maintained, which should not affect the business’s productivity, revenue and profit.
4. Integrated devices: Many service providers use different providers for each individual product or service. The problem occurs if they are not properly compatible or integrated with each other in a centralised system. By choosing a competent service provider, a suitable combination of compatible devices is delivered. This saves the management a lot of time and energy, not to mention a substantial amount of money.
In conclusion, it can be said that the effectiveness of a communications platform depends on the level of service provided. With the emergence of so many telecommunications service providers, it can be a confusing task to select the right service. The best way to do this is to define the business’s telecomm requirements and act accordingly. Some businesses might require self-hosting VoIP systems, while others may need a simple VoIP system. No matter what decision has been taken though, it should always be ensured that a safe, reliable and consistent service provider is chosen. After all, responsive communication with clients and internal members are the prerequisites of a successful business.