Use your phone for digital-era communication

Today, consumer expectations have evolved, and they expect businesses to be available on a 24x7 basis. Driven by the digital era, any business, regardless of its size or type, needs robust telephony and communication services to offer an omnichannel experience to its customers.

It is estimated that 60% of customers still prefer to contact small businesses via phone calls. Therefore, SOHOs and startups require telecommunications solutions that can provide them with the much-needed mobility to be always accessible to customers via phone.

Communication challenges that SOHOs and startups face

With limited resources, small businesses face challenges in deploying effective communication tools. Some of these include:

• A multitude of single fixed-line phones: Although budget-friendly, single fixed-line phones are restricted to one-person use and can lead to a proliferation in the number of such phones with an increase in the number of team members.
• Lack of mobility: Single fixed-line phones mandate operating from the office, which restricts mobility.
• Lean team setup, usually comprising 1-3 people: SOHOs and startups have fewer team members, who thus need to take up multiple responsibilities and roles. This not only adds to an individual's burden but may also affect their availability to the clients.
• Lack of IT resource to manage voice infrastructure: Smaller scale of operations and limited finances mean SOHOs and startups do not have dedicated resources to manage telephony or telecommunications needs and challenges.

Current solutions most SOHOs and startups use

Startups and SOHOs often have limited resources and restricted budgets for IT expenditures. However, to fuel business growth, it is critical to move away from traditional telephony solutions. For instance, ”land lines” aka Dedicated Exchange Line or DEL, which is restricted to operating from the office, is still a commonly used mode of communication among small businesses.

Keep pace with the evolving communication needs

As digital becomes the new normal, businesses are increasingly relying on online productivity and collaboration tools to conduct business. It is estimated that there are more than a million companies globally that use Microsoft 365. These include many SOHOs and start-ups as well. 

Furthermore, with the availability of numerous new-age communication tools that facilitate instant communication, namely: video conferencing, live chat, among others, using business phones could seem slightly outdated.

In today's digital-first business environment, SOHOs and startups should, therefore, consider upgrading their voice and communication infrastructure with Singtel Teams UC Direct Connect – which is a natural extension of Microsoft Office services to enable efficient communication with the clients. 

Benefits

• Mobility: Ability to make or receive calls using a business number while on the go.
• Unlimited local calls: No more keeping track of call charges.
• Fully managed service and support: Comprehensive support and services to ensure seamless business operations.
• Rapid deployment: Fully provisioned by Singtel, which saves time and helps reduce the burden on the team members, enabling them to engage in more value-added work.
• No additional hardware required: No need for additional on-premises equipment or services such as IP PBX system, IP phones, or ISDN connectivity.
• Ability to keep connected even when overseas: Enables maintaining contact with employees and customers at the costs of local calls even when team members are travelling overseas. A call made through Teams UC Direct Connect from an overseas destination to a contact in Singapore is still considered a local call because the dedicated DDI number is for Singapore.

Conclusion

SOHOs and startups can simplify their business communications with Singtel Teams UC Direct Connect, a modern and effective solution that completes the voice communication and collaboration needs of the digital era.

To learn more, visit https://www.singtel.com/business/info/teams-uc