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Enreach
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No more hiding behind meetings! Remote Working can deliver improved efficiencies

Back to overview 25.03.2020

In this interview Comms Business spoke to Justin Hamilton-Martin, Director at Centile - part of Enreach, about the uptake of collaboration technologies within their customer base.

Comms Business Magazine (CBM): What are you seeing from customers as companies wrestle with Collaboration technologies right now?

Justin Hamilton-Martin, Director at Centile - Part of Enreach (JHM): "Companies new to the benefits of collaboration tools and UC held back because they were concerned it might impact productivity. COVID-19 has changed that around, because remote working technologies is the only realistic way to keep workers operational, and as many find, productivity can actually improve.

For instance, pre-reads can be distributed before a virtual meeting, so that people are better prepared, so meeting time is spent more effectively. A defined agenda and assigned roles during the meeting will also help meetings be more efficient.

Of course, there is so much more to remote working technologies than just conferencing. Cloud-based unified communications enables access to all internal business systems from anywhere, so remote workers have a truly integrated virtual workplace. They can be just as productive at home as they are in the office. Plus – and without sounding too ‘Big Brother’ – it becomes much harder for people to hide behind meetings or being out of the office.

Of course, the need to rapidly implement these tools in a short amount of time puts a lot of pressure on businesses, especially the smaller ones, some of whom are asking for cost breaks from providers. As a vendor, we have made products – including our softphone and MOBiiS mobile app and video collaboration offering – free into the summer. This is helping our partners, who in turn are in a better position to support their business customers during this fast transition to remote working."

CBM: Has your customer base become more remote? How has this changed your approach?

JHM: "As far as our customer communications are concerned, we have been ‘mobile first’ from day one, so for us, that is business-as-usual. Physical meetings have been cancelled, but so much of our engagement with our ecosystem is already via our own ISTRA platform, at which mobility is at the heart, from basic services through to advanced CRM integrations. Mobiles become a seamless part of the organization, connected through to business apps, rather than siloed. The organic growth of mobile-first adoption will be propelled by the current situation. We have seen a 30% uplift in app users in the past few weeks showing how much this is needed in these testing times."

Source: CommsBusiness

+ How has COVID-19 impacted the adoption of collaboration technologies?

COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of collaboration tools as companies recognize their importance in maintaining productivity during remote work. Many organizations that were previously hesitant have now embraced these technologies to keep their operations running smoothly.

+ What are the benefits of using collaboration tools for remote work?

Collaboration tools enhance productivity by allowing for better preparation before meetings, enabling access to internal business systems from anywhere, and fostering a more integrated virtual workplace. This leads to more efficient meetings and improved overall performance.

+ How can companies ensure meetings are more effective in a remote setting?

To make remote meetings more effective, companies should distribute pre-reads in advance, establish a clear agenda, and assign specific roles to participants. This preparation helps maximize the value of the meeting time.

+ What challenges do businesses face when implementing remote working technologies?

Rapid implementation of remote working tools can be challenging, especially for smaller businesses that may lack resources. Many are seeking cost breaks from providers to ease the transition during this critical period.

+ How has the shift to remote work affected customer engagement for companies?

Companies that have adopted a mobile-first approach have found it easier to maintain customer engagement. With physical meetings canceled, many organizations have relied on their existing platforms to connect with clients and partners effectively.

+ What trends are emerging in the use of mobile applications for business?

There has been a significant increase in mobile app usage among businesses, with reports of a 30% uplift in users during recent weeks. This trend indicates a growing reliance on mobile solutions to facilitate communication and collaboration in a remote work environment.