Previously the preserve of big business, this unique solution is a simple, networked IP platform offering everything an SME needs to improve its business communications – voice, video, data, security and wireless networking. Integrated together via a single supplier model, these technologies aid fluid and effortless communication between customers, suppliers and colleagues, both in and out of the office. The framework of Communications Complete allows SMEs to meet business needs today, while also being ready for the future.
According to research commissioned by BT Business and Cisco, 85 per cent of small to medium-sized companies lose business to bigger competitors. Two-thirds (64 per cent) believe that while their company identifies and seizes new opportunities some of the time, they could do better. Their lack of foresight in exploiting business communications effectively seems to be part of the problem, limiting their agility
and competitiveness.
BT Communications Complete is designed to help them to address this. At its foundation is a unified communications system powered by Cisco, providing advanced telephony features and sophisticated call management to help SMEs deliver superior customer service. Added to this are applications for remote working, unified messaging, and a call centre capability to help collaboration and keep teams working together effectively. This can also be integrated with other existing BT services, including IT Manager and Office Anywhere, alongside MS Outlook, providing a roadmap to more sophisticated collaboration.
Bill Murphy, managing director, BT Business, said: “Unified communication solutions may be the difference between agility and fragility for SMEs in the battle to beat big business and respond to today’s demanding consumers.
“Customer service excellence and adaptability differentiate companies in competitive markets. BT Communications Complete offers SMEs access to a broad range of tools that improve customer and supplier engagement, as well as raise productivity. Enabling flexible and collaborative working practices, it can in turn help to attract and retain staff. Additionally, the delivery model brings lower IT and communications costs and improved business resilience.”
Overall, SMEs grasp the importance of agility in today’s business environment, with 85 per cent of respondents agreeing that their business needs to be more agile and identifying demanding customers as the reason for this. And while the majority (58 per cent) of SMEs view the role of IT and communications as part of the solution to improving their company’s agility, almost half (47 per cent) only have loose, ad hoc plans as to how to make this a reality.
Murphy continued: “The unique benefit of BT Communications Complete is that communications technology allows small businesses to provide SMEs with a flexible approach to paying for communications equipment and services, giving them access to the technologies they want now rather then the ones they can afford. BT Business offers the customer an end-to-end service including design, installation and 24/7 dedicated support.”
Rick Moran, vice president of SMB solutions marketing, Cisco, said: “Advanced communications technology allows small businesses to compete with big business. Small businesses need communications solutions that are flexible enough to adapt to the changing needs of a growing business and BT Communications Complete offers them this capability in one affordable package.”