There was a time when “voice” was the sole business communication solution. Then, we were introduced to emails, texts, and chats, all of which are extremely useful and are here to stay. But wouldn’t it be nice if there was a communication solution that integrated everything -- voice, messaging, video -- into one platform? That’s where unified communications come in.

At the Ignite conference in September, Microsoft announced that the Teams app will eventually replace Skype for Business as the primary communication tool for Office 365. This is a huge development, and there are undoubtedly many questions that need answers.

You’ve probably heard of VoIP phone systems by now. But do you know what they are and why they’re so popular among small- to medium-sized businesses? If you’re reluctant to ditch your traditional phone system, these VoIP benefits might convince you otherwise.

Your business may be well-armed against email-based phishing scams, but you shouldn’t neglect your VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems. Through ‘vishing scams,’ hackers can disguise themselves as a bank representative and convince your employees to provide confidential financial details via a seemingly harmless VoIP call.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service providers are fully aware of the causes of static, dropped calls, and other problems that occasionally diminish call quality, and may offer higher speed plans as a solution. The same problems may persist and you may end up switching to other providers, but it’s not likely to eliminate the issues.

There are plenty of VoIP solutions available in the market today, but the two clear standouts are Microsoft’s Skype for Business and Google’s Hangouts Meet. Each product offers stellar voice and video conferencing features, and rich integrations with other apps.

Our craving for data seems to increase every year, fueling the constant advancements in wireless technology. The latest is 5G, an abbreviation for the fifth-generation wireless systems, and it is set to transform VoIP for the better. Here are three ways it will do that.

Bad customer service is one of the reasons why customers switch to competitors. It often begins the moment they pick up the phone to report a service issue, only to end up getting frustrated with your phone system. Your on-hold message may seem inconsequential, but it can play a big role in your customer’s dissatisfaction.

Amazon is setting its sights on the VoIP market again and will use its Alexa technology to launch a new phone system. Based on a new patent, users of Amazon’s artificial intelligence (AI) devices might soon be able to enjoy a smart speaker and phone in one.

With a quick Google search, numerous VoIP distributors instantly appear. The problem is knowing whether they will meet your business’s needs. To attract consumers, these professionals throw around superlatives such as 'the best' or 'world-class' -- but that doesn’t always mean they are.