There has been a marked increase in the use of virtualization and other virtual services, because it has become apparent that they help businesses maximize their resources. With an ever-evolving and tightly competitive business landscape, business owners are always compelled to seek solutions that will help them get a step ahead of the competition.
Here are some useful virtual office tools to consider:
Virtual answering services
Virtual answering services are round-the-clock communication attendants, similar to a call or phone-in center where attendants are perpetually available to respond to queries regarding products or services. This allows businesses to provide customer support at any given time.
A simple chat-type virtual answering service can suffice for many virtual offices, especially for low-volume or low-urgency call types. Call-based virtual answering are best for business processes that require details or urgency, or both. Efficiency can be improved further by using this service with the next tool on this list, VoIP.
VoIP
VoIP refers to voice over internet protocol, a method for converting analog audio signals into digital data that can be transmitted over the internet. With VoIP, you no longer have to spend on a separate phone bill, and you definitely will no longer pay extra for calls made to out-of-state or out-of-country numbers.
All you need to worry about is your internet and software usage, which is typically a one-time purchase. Some managed services providers (MSPs) offer subscription plans for IT services like VoIP. This involves maintenance, updates, and integration support so that your VoIP experience can be as seamless and robust as possible.
Cloud storage
Cloud storage can serve either as a main storage location or a backup storage location for your business’s data. Nowadays, it is more common for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to have a fully cloud-based storage setup because it is cheaper to run compared to physical on-site servers. The cloud provides both storage and business agility that SMBs now need more than ever.
Business agility means an enterprise is able to adapt to business conditions as they manifest. A cloud storage service typically allows businesses to acquire service add-ons such as legacy plans, business continuity, and disaster and recovery management (DRM) solutions with ease.
Collaboration solutions
Collaboration solutions are essentially virtual project management platforms that allow users to participate and provide input in a collaborative manner. Collaborative solutions bring project teams closer together, as they provide channels for organized interactions and media sharing. You only need to get one kind of software for your entire business, and you can be sure that your business processes are well-documented at every stage.
Collaborative solutions often include unified communications (UC), media hosting, and even virtual boardrooms. These features allow for a seamless team experience, even if members of your team are in different buildings or even spread across the world.
Social media management
Social media management tools are very similar to UC tools and are sometimes integrated into more powerful iterations of UC platforms. They are designed to hold your social media credentials in one app, so that you can develop content, schedule them for posting, and optimize them to maximize reach potentials across different social media platforms.
This tool improves your business processes by providing as much automation as needed, so that you can focus your time and resources in your core operations.
Arnet Technologies is Columbus’ go-to IT solutions provider. We offer a plethora of IT solutions, from virtualization to cloud computing to VoIP, all at budget-friendly rates. Contact us today for your free assessment!
