Every quid counts. This guide provides details on how to get more out of communications by leveraging the power of the 8x8 and Microsoft technology stack to transform the experience for staff, donors and service users:
Organisations with legacy communications technology may find it tempting to maintain the status quo and just “bolt-on” new services, but keeping ageing and disparate communications tools on “life-support” can bite deep into already stretched IT budgets.
While on-premises communications systems offer full control over the hardware and configurations, expensive maintenance contracts can make them costlier than cloud communications.
Integrating on-premises platforms with popular business apps and CRMs is expensive and prone to human error that can adversely impact staff productivity and risk reputational damage due to poor customer experiences.
Trying to wrestle new functionality from on-premises communication tools is expensive and lacks the agility and hassle-free advantages of cloud alternatives.
Furthermore, connecting individual vendor platforms and maintaining separate communication tools requires considerable efforts from overburdened IT staff, struggling to make an older system work in the digital world.
While doing is often a practical choice, maintaining a patchwork of legacy communications is counterproductive when considering the broader implications.
These organisations often experience communication outages and unplanned downtime, not to mention potential security threats. Service disruptions cause instant knee-jerk reactions and costly decisions for backup communications.
Legacy communications tools are limited in enabling digital channels for quick, easy and secure customer interactions, such as taking donations over the phone.
The result is that although it seems practical, the cost of staying with the status quo can be inefficient and expensive.
86% of organisations reported that a communications platform combining business phone, chat, video meetings and contact centre have helped them be more efficient and effective. (Source: Hanover Research (April 2021).
For nonprofit organisations, taking no action is not an option. Indeed, 83% of business leaders said that introducing a combined communications solution is part of the organisation’s digital evolution to increase revenue and customer engagement.