How mobile is your organization? Does your unified communication and cloud platform support the mobile needs of your employees? More than just the ability to connect from the road, Mobility is about being able to connect from wherever you are. On any network, anywhere, we want to be connected to all our communication tools.
Cloud based Unified Communications (UC), from the enterprise down to the small business isn’t just about an advanced set of tools and features that work when we are plugged into the office. Rather it is about a set of tools that just plain work; regardless of where we are sitting. For instance, (insert your own example if you would like) why should you have to go into the office to join a web conference or a video call? Without the right solution, these seemingly easy tasks can be more difficult than they should be.
Mobility (the ability to utilize your mobile device as part of your UC deployment) for Unified Communications is now widely available and it is something that your business should be looking at implementing. However, before you just buy into one UC system, it is important to know that not all mobility applications are created equal.
Therefore, we thought it might be helpful to have a little insight as to what makes for a truly useful Mobile toolbox. Considering Mobility as part of your Unified Communications Strategy? Here are the top items that should be on your list:
Compatibility
Which platform does the mobile application best support? Given the diverse set of tools running Windows, Android and iOS, does the mobile application support all (or at least the required) platforms?
Ubiquity
People struggle with working with vastly different platforms. Always preferring more consistent experience between their various devices. Just because an application offers mobility, is it user-friendly where learning to use the mobile solution isn’t a “Re-Learning” process but rather an extension of what the user already knows?
Functionality
Does the mobile tool provide similar functionality to the full version? Mobility doesn’t have to mean a great compromise. Tools like Presence and Unity should be available on your mobile application. Further advanced applications like web collaboration and even high definition video should likely be part of the mobile capabilities.
Transferability
Is moving between your “Wired-In” office and your mobile toolbox as easy as it should be? A good mobile application for Unified Communication should allow you to go from your office to your car to the coffee shop seamlessly.
Support
As more applications are running on more devices support becomes more and more important for use. Make sure that the chosen UC platform has a well-supported mobile application. As we all know, mobile applications pop up every day. When running a business, the application needs to work every day, or you have a toy, not a Unified Communication solution.
Real mobility should be one of the keys in choosing your Unified Communication platform. But make sure to pay attention to the details because not all Mobility is created equal. Vistacom is a certified Cisco UC integrator and can help you navigate the cloud and all the applications that can work for your organization.