The traditional office phone, once a large and stationary fixture on every desk, is becoming a relic of the past. Modern business communication has evolved into a dynamic and multifaceted process, incorporating instant messaging, online collaboration tools, file sharing, and web-based applications alongside traditional voice calls and conferencing. This evolution begs the question: are conventional PBX systems still equipped to handle the demands of today’s business environment?
As outdated phone systems increasingly hinder productivity, many companies are turning to cloud-based solutions for a more modern approach. Smoothstone IP Communications, a leading innovator in cloud-based business communications, offers its VoiceMaxx platform as a comprehensive solution that transcends traditional fixed-mobile convergence. VoiceMaxx unifies various communication methods, including text and voice, and enhances them with cloud-based awareness.
Smoothstone’s Awareness, Messaging, and Presence (AMP) system leverages the cloud to connect colleagues through a platform that provides real-time status updates for every user. This eliminates the guesswork of determining a colleague’s availability and renders outdated practices like phone tag obsolete. AMP instantly displays the status of each user, such as “free to chat,” “online,” or “away.” It also indicates if someone is “on the phone” or has activated a “do not disturb” status.
While AMP’s features might resemble popular instant messaging and social networking applications, it’s important to note that those public platforms lack the robust security and governance features essential for corporate environments. Smoothstone addresses this by integrating a secure, private version of these popular tools within its VoiceMaxx cloud. AMP incorporates directory integration, encryption, chat logging, and virus protection, making it suitable for company-wide deployment.
Modern smartphones have transcended their initial function as mobile phones and evolved into portable computing devices. Limiting their use to basic calls and voicemail access overlooks their potential to significantly enhance productivity. The ideal scenario integrates voice and data communication seamlessly, regardless of location.
Until recently, professionals relied on carrying both a cell phone and a laptop to access their work environment and business phone system. BlackBerry pioneered the integration of voice and messaging into a single device, and now iPhone and Android platforms have taken this concept even further. These platforms prioritize applications, particularly cloud-based ones, as a means of unifying mobile and office-based tools.
We are currently transitioning from a collection of isolated solutions to a fully integrated system that seamlessly combines all necessary tools. This integrated approach, inherently more efficient than relying on temporary fixes, operates naturally within a cloud-based environment due to the increasingly mobile nature of work. Smoothstone’s VoiceMaxx is at the forefront of this movement, offering a glimpse into the future of business communication.
If your business has outgrown its once-sufficient but now outdated PBX system, it’s wise to explore cloud communication solutions before investing in a costly upgrade to a larger, more complex system. Cloud-based options may provide a more suitable and cost-effective approach to meet your company’s evolving communication needs.
