A report recently published by Mitel Solutions asserts that, “We are on the tipping point of a workplace revolution that will signal a model for a dynamic, adaptive and smarter business that is focused around the human cloud workforce.”
Flexibility. Virtualization. Bring Your Own Device. These are all things that characterize a new era of business technology that Mitel and the tech-world call “Work 3.0.” It has the potential to provide businesses with more skilled talent, happier employees, and in turn, huge gains in productivity.
But what is this transition to Work 3.0 all about, and what does it mean for small business?
While it’s no secret that business technology and culture has become increasingly reliant on virtual communication thanks to rapid technological innovation, many companies who felt the sting of the recent recession found the cost-saving merit of making a complete switch to virtual voice and data technology through use of cloud computing and unified communications (UC).
With UC, companies can provide their employees the ability to work from anywhere, be it their home office, the coffee shop down the street, or on a plane.
Working remotely is admittedly not a new concept, but UC’s emphasis on mobile capability transcends anything we’ve seen prior. It allows workers to make their job a seamless part of their “on-the-go” lifestyle. Imagine doing your entire job from a smartphone. Unified communications technology makes this possible.
It also makes expansive physical office spaces a little less relevant. In fact, there are quite a few companies who have harnessed the power of UC and gotten rid of their offices altogether in favor of virtual communication between employees.
Since these voice and data innovations have made collaboration and communication as easy as a click of a mouse, companies have access to a larger talent pool that isn’t constrained by location or ability to commute. This means that businesses can hire people on other coasts and in other countries who are truly best-suited for open positions, with a lot less overhead.
The essence of Work 3.0 is facilitating a work environment that interacts seamlessly with the lives of employees. They choose (in part, at least) when they want to work, where they want to work, and how they want to work. It used to be that one’s office was the only place to find the technology needed to get work done. Now, with the ubiquity of smartphones, tablets, advanced laptops and cloud computing, people are just as capable of getting work done at home as they are at the office, if not more so. For a growing number of companies, small and large alike, the days of the 9 to 5 workday are coming to an end.
Your business can harness the power of Work 3.0 without getting rid of your office space or regular business hours. As a Mitel partner, BCS Voice and Data Solutions leads the way for advanced voice and data technology in Hampton Roads. Among other things, we provide desktop and mobile integrated phone systems, wireless networking solutions, and high level teleconferencing equipment that can help your company stay on the cutting edge of innovative communication and increase overall productivity and ROI. Call us at 757-497-3100. We can help.
Source: Mitel 3.0 Whitepaper
Work 3.0
/in Uncategorized /by BCS Voice & DataA report recently published by Mitel Solutions asserts that, “We are on the tipping point of a workplace revolution that will signal a model for a dynamic, adaptive and smarter business that is focused around the human cloud workforce.”
Flexibility. Virtualization. Bring Your Own Device. These are all things that characterize a new era of business technology that Mitel and the tech-world call “Work 3.0.” It has the potential to provide businesses with more skilled talent, happier employees, and in turn, huge gains in productivity.
But what is this transition to Work 3.0 all about, and what does it mean for small business?
While it’s no secret that business technology and culture has become increasingly reliant on virtual communication thanks to rapid technological innovation, many companies who felt the sting of the recent recession found the cost-saving merit of making a complete switch to virtual voice and data technology through use of cloud computing and unified communications (UC).
With UC, companies can provide their employees the ability to work from anywhere, be it their home office, the coffee shop down the street, or on a plane.
Working remotely is admittedly not a new concept, but UC’s emphasis on mobile capability transcends anything we’ve seen prior. It allows workers to make their job a seamless part of their “on-the-go” lifestyle. Imagine doing your entire job from a smartphone. Unified communications technology makes this possible.
It also makes expansive physical office spaces a little less relevant. In fact, there are quite a few companies who have harnessed the power of UC and gotten rid of their offices altogether in favor of virtual communication between employees.
Since these voice and data innovations have made collaboration and communication as easy as a click of a mouse, companies have access to a larger talent pool that isn’t constrained by location or ability to commute. This means that businesses can hire people on other coasts and in other countries who are truly best-suited for open positions, with a lot less overhead.
The essence of Work 3.0 is facilitating a work environment that interacts seamlessly with the lives of employees. They choose (in part, at least) when they want to work, where they want to work, and how they want to work. It used to be that one’s office was the only place to find the technology needed to get work done. Now, with the ubiquity of smartphones, tablets, advanced laptops and cloud computing, people are just as capable of getting work done at home as they are at the office, if not more so. For a growing number of companies, small and large alike, the days of the 9 to 5 workday are coming to an end.
Your business can harness the power of Work 3.0 without getting rid of your office space or regular business hours. As a Mitel partner, BCS Voice and Data Solutions leads the way for advanced voice and data technology in Hampton Roads. Among other things, we provide desktop and mobile integrated phone systems, wireless networking solutions, and high level teleconferencing equipment that can help your company stay on the cutting edge of innovative communication and increase overall productivity and ROI. Call us at 757-497-3100. We can help.
Source: Mitel 3.0 Whitepaper
VoIP Helps Hotels Provide Better Customer Service for Guests
/in BCS News /by BCS Voice & DataDue to the popularity of mobile phones, many hotel managers may be concerned over the plummeting hotel telephone service revenue.
The best way to compensate for this loss in revenue is to take advantage of Voice-Over-IP Telephony (VoIP). It puts phones on the bottom line, and offers guests a lower cost than they can get from their own mobile phone operator.
As technology has developed, charging for long distance calls has become an old business model and the prices are now considered excessive. VoIP allows hotels to provide guests with a phone service for free. It provides better customer service and happier guests at a very low cost for the hotels.
One hotel chain has taken it a few steps further. Hotel 1000 in Seattle used a unified communication system and a series of VoIP applications to create a superior hotel experience.
The converged network provides a single infrastructure for data, voice, video and security communication. Among the unique applications is a video valet system, an automated system that gathers room ambience preferences and sets them prior to the guests entering their rooms, and a hotel entry application that sends video of a visitor to the hotel guest’s phone.
Anything IP-addressable can be put on the system–from security cameras to intelligent thermostats and minibar applications to phone management systems.
As an integral part of any business infrastructure, IP telephone systems can maximize the flexibility and functionality of your business communications. If you’re interested in learning more about what VoIP can do for your business, give BCS Voice & Data a call today at 757-497-3100.
Source: eweek.com
Protect Your Company’s Data from Disaster. Create an IT Disaster Recovery Plan Today.
/in Uncategorized /by BCS Voice & DataModern businesses handle huge volumes of electronic data every day. It is easy, convenient, and environmentally conscious to store records electronically, use technologies like VoIP and digital signage in lieu of traditional mediums, and depend on teleconferencing to keep business going strong. Since some kind of computing is necessary to complete most tasks these days, data and data equipment needs to be secure in the event of a natural disaster. Is your company prepared for the worst?
In the wake of the Hurricane Sandy, all business owners should step back and evaluate the security of their company’s technology. When a natural disaster hits, be it a flood, a hurricane, a tornado, or an earthquake, your electronic information and technical components can be particularly vulnerable. What steps can you take to protect your data before calamity strikes? First, establish a protocol. FEMA recommends that all businesses create an IT disaster recovery plan by following a few smart steps:
The kind of protocol you establish for your company and the type of business insurance you purchase are contingent upon the natural disasters likely to happen in your area. If your business is located on a hill in a high-altitude region, you probably don’t need extensive flood insurance. But if located in an area prone to flooding, buy that insurance and make it company policy to place IT equipment above even aggressive estimated flood levels.
You can prevent many of the stressful and costly effects of natural disasters on your business and the technology that helps it run with careful forethought and some practical preparation. Keep your data safe and secure by taking the time to back it up in a way that makes sense and minimizes risk. Review your company’s existing insurance policies and make sure that they cover your critical IT components. Last but not least, depend on IT professionals with sharp expertise to help you develop the best protocol for protecting your data and data equipment. Call BCS Voice and Data Solutions today at 757-497-3100 to schedule an IT needs analysis with one of our professionals. We will help you prepare your vital data and technology for any emergency and advise you as to best IT practices for your business. Let us provide you with intelligent solutions.
If Hurricane Sandy hurt your small business, refer to this article from Forbes.com for details on where you can find assistance to get your company back on its feet.
BCS Named 2012 Platinum Mitel Channel Partner
/in BCS News /by BCS Voice & DataBCS Voice & Data Solutions has been named a Mitel Platinum Business Channel Partner by Phil Keenan, Executive Vice President of North American operations for Mitel. The recognition of superior business performance, technical expertise and customer satisfaction is awarded to only a few Mitel partners each year.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your extraordinary effort and value that your organization brings to Mitel,” writes Keenan in the award letter. “You exemplify the expertise, behaviors and customer care qualities that reinforce your status as a trusted advisor in the market.”
Founded in 1973, Mitel (Nasdaq: MITL) is a global provider of business communications and collaboration software and services. The company operates in more than 90 countries and has more than 1,600 partners, serving more than 100,000 customers worldwide.