Businesses of all sizes and industries—from manufacturing to service and hospitality—are challenged to provide superior service and products. Customer expectations include accessibility and quick response to their needs.
With the growing trend toward mobile workforces and the need for greater efficiency and reduced cost, companies are continuously looking to technology for a strategic advantage in business processes.
Current Communication Trends
Communications companies are providing many options for all types of businesses that facilitate remote learning, video conferencing, and staying up to date with customers and employees.
Mobile Phones
Nearly everyone is armed with technology in the way of a smartphone—maybe even more than one. With the ever expanding plethora of mobile apps, there are thousands of tools available to maintain calendars, participate in video conferences, text/chat, and make phone calls. Mobile optimization increases efficiency in reaching remote employees whether at home, on the road, or at customer sites.
Video Calls
The number of applications providing video calling capabilities is constantly increasing. Where travel may have been required in the past to close a sales agreement or discuss proposals, customers and sales teams can meet face-to-face using mobile devices. This technology trend is also extremely valuable in providing IT support for remote workers or clients. Popular services like Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and Hangouts, Zoom, Skype and others are part of a crowded field of advanced remote communication services.
Chatbots
Many customers are taking advantage of website chat functionality. Having access to an online representative that can answer many basic questions demonstrates concern for the customer’s time over waiting on hold with a traditional call center line.
Chat is an efficient way to manage customer service with limited resources. Many customer questions or problems can be resolved quickly and efficiently by properly trained chat resources.
Video Conferencing
Many communication providers are now offering real-time high-quality video to keep in touch with project teams, marketing groups, and customers. Even product demonstrations can be provided without leaving the office.
Remote learning and online education are utilizing video conferencing technology to provide complete courses that can be presented and attended via video conferencing platforms. Pricing for such services has become much more affordable in recent years, and providers continue to improve video quality and ease of use.
Social Media
There seems to be no end in sight for consumers’ engagement with social media. Business presence on social platforms—such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and others—attracts potential customers and offers insight into company values and initiatives. Businesses will continue to invest in online visibility through these popular social media outlets and others that are sure to materialize.
Wearable Technology
It may have started with watches that track health and activity attributes, but technology in the use of wearable devices is soaring, and will continue to provide additional features and functions.
Watches can already tether to smartphones for communications without the need to open apps or even pick up the phone. As apps are developed to utilize wearable communication devices, this technology trend will become even more useful for travelers, remote workers, and industry employees who are constantly on the move.
Business and Home Automation
Home automation has been a growing market in recent years, and it is taking on additional features with integration for controlling appliances, lighting, entertainment systems, and voice response units. As technology matures, businesses with a focus on this market can expect continuing opportunities for sales and service of automation devices and the applications that enable them.
Moving to the Cloud
Cloud computing and managed IT services allow businesses to pay for only what they need in computing power, leaving the infrastructure, support, and IT resources to the service provider. Even the largest enterprises are now turning to the cloud for its flexibility and to control overall computing expenses.
Making Technology Trends Work for Business
Paying attention to emerging communications technologies and their benefits will allow businesses to:
- Increase productivity
- Reduce costs
- Improve customer service
- Increase collaboration among employees
Selecting the right business partner to move forward with new technology is critical to maintaining a strategic business advantage.
CDS Office Technologies helps our customers navigate the changing communications environment to get the most from their investment in technology, including:
- Managed IT Services
- Communication technologies
- Video conferencing
- Cloud data storage
- Network and server management
Contact the technology pros at CDS today for a complete solution on managed IT and network services, document management, and all your technology needs.
