6 Unified Communications Features Your Business Can't Survive Without

Need a new unified communications solution but struggling to compare providers? We get it. 
When you’re checking out vendors’ websites, it’s hard to tell what differentiates them, with price points, features, and proposed benefits often being much the same. But dig a little deeper and you’ll soon discover that leading providers are still missing core unified communications features. 

And those that have them, often charge you extra for the privilege. 

​UC helps teams communicate more efficiently, boosts productivity, and makes collaboration effortless. It’s a game-changer if you’re used to relying on your business phone system or a multitude of collaboration apps to cover the bases. But this only applies if the platform you choose includes all of the features your business needs.

In this post, we’re sharing the 6 must-have features for any new unified communications system. And no, add-ons don’t count! These are the functions that should make up the base of your UCaaS solution and be included in the initial quotation. Don’t settle for less. 

1. Browser-Based Softphone 

Forget installing Windows and Mac clients on your desktop. Modern UC tools include browser-based softphones at no additional cost. They’re ideal for remote workers and for organisations looking to leverage the power of the cloud to lighten the load on their internal infrastructure. 

Your softphone is the hub of your communications system, so when comparing providers, make sure that the browser version provides access to your entire suite of collaboration tools and is accessible from leading browsers like Chrome and Safari. ​

2. Native Mobile Apps
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Most unified communications platforms include mobile applications that enable remote and roaming employees (like account managers and engineers) to call from their office extension on the go. 

However, some vendors rely on white-labelled third-party apps that aren’t designed by the in-house team. Too often, these apps suffer from development lags, which result in poor call quality, reduced functionality and ultimately, prevent you from utilising your UC tools to their full capacity. The last thing you want to do is miss important calls due to poor synchronisation between your softphone and mobile app. 

Look for a solution that includes native (made by the manufacturer) mobile applications for both iOS and Android. This will ensure your communication tools work in unison. Also remember that in the age of remote working, mobile capabilities are not a ‘nice-to-have’ add-on for your UC provider, they’re a must-have. They should be included as standard, as is the case with our managed 3CX communications solutions.

3. Presence 
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Ever felt like you’ve spent all day trying to get hold of your co-workers without actually reaching any of them? Not only is it frustrating but it wastes precious time that could be spent on more productive, revenue-enhancing activities. 

Presence solves this issue by giving you a quick way to check the status of your colleagues before you call. Our 3CX solution, for example, has an easy traffic light system that highlights colleagues’ status in a single glance. Green and they’re good to go, amber and they’re away, red and they’re offline. Simple! 

Depending on your settings, you can even see who’s on the phone (yellow in case you were wondering), who they’re talking too and set custom status messages to let your team know when you’ll be free. ​

4. Sharing & Group Collaboration Tools

These days we’re relying on our UCaaS tools more than ever. But it’s difficult to replicate in-person brainstorming sessions and team meetings via a conference. Until now

The best unified communications systems include collaboration-enhancing tools to facilitate group work. As a minimum look for: 

• Screen sharing
• Remote access (team viewing)
• File sharing
• Whiteboards
• Polling

Features like file sharing make presenting and editing work online just as easy as in-person. Not only can you and your team edit work simultaneously but you can more easily ask for clarification or visualise ideas on a document being shared with integrated screen sharing and drawing features.

The same applies to clients. Take, for example, a customer who is having trouble navigating your product. It’s often difficult for them to describe their situation in a way that you understand. In this case, screen sharing can you find a solution immediately, rather than committing all parties to a support request email chain. ​

5. International Access 

Rapid digitalisation has broken down geographic barriers. Nowadays you grow your business overseas and recruit globally to ensure you’re hiring the best talent for the organisation. Yet in a survey by UC today, 86% of respondents said they’re still relying on their phone to connect with global colleagues and customers.  

Whether you’re catching up with your offshore developers or competing for tenders overseas it’s essential that your unified communications solution supports overseas’s calling. The Technology Group’s 3CX solution goes one step further, by enabling all internal users to call for free, regardless of location.

6. Video Conferencing

Our final non-negotiable feature has been fundamental to the survival of many businesses this year. You got it- it’s powerful audio and video conferencing capabilities. 

After a 2020 filled with work VCs, zoom scandals, and even late-night quizzes with the family on Facebook messenger, most of us are familiar with conference calling. However, not all conferencing solutions are created equally. And sometimes you’ll be charged extra, on top of your standard UC package. ​

Look for a conferencing package that your clients and colleagues enjoy using. 3CX Video Conferencing, for example, includes tools like meeting recording, classroom settings, and an in-conference chat to appeal to a broad spectrum of user requirements. ​​

Make These Features A Must-Have For Your Unified Communications Solution 

So there you have it! The 6 features we’ve listed above are the building blocks of your unified communications platform. Without them, you won’t have the tools you need to efficiently connect and collaborate online. 

At The Technology Group, we believe that today’s business communication needs go way beyond these essential features. That’s why our Unified Communications as Service Solutions include additional capabilities, like Live Chat and SMS for business. Get in touch with our team to discover the full feature set.