The rise of the smartphone brings up an important question: is the business phone system on the way out? After all, research shows that the younger generation is more dependent upon cell phones than the older generations. Based on a recent survey of over 2,000 adults, “93 percent of millennials admit to using their phones in bed, nearly 80 percent in the restroom and 43 percent while stopped at a red light.” Because millennials are so reliant on cell phones — almost 90 percent say their phones never leave their sides — the workplace is changing in dramatic ways.
However, the business phone system is not dying out, just evolving. Desk phones can now do more than just make and receive calls; they integrate with your smartphone. Cloud-based PBX systems provide an end-to-end communication experience that combines the mobility of the cell phone with the professional advantages of a desk phone. Many apps allow employees to sync their mobile device to their business office phone so that calls ring to both devices at the same time. Employees are then able to remain reachable even when they are out of the office. In this day and age, clients expect you to be reachable 24/7. Another great feature is Visual Voicemail which permits employees to read transcripts of voicemails left on a desk phone from anywhere, so they’re not having to call-in to retrieve messages.
The rise of the smartphone is not cause to ditch your business phone system, just reason to allow it to evolve.
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