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Monday, July 7th
8x8, Inc. is an American company that offers VoIP solutions, serving businesses with a range of cloud-based communication products such as voice, contact center, video, mobile, and unified communications. Since 2018, 8x8 has been overseeing Jitsi. Originally founded in 1987 by Chi-Shin Wang and Y. W. Sing, formerly of Weitek, as Integrated Information Technology, Inc. (IIT), the company started as an integrated circuit designer before changing its name in the mid-1990s.
Free trial but no pricing
Finding what you need on 8x8's website is simple. You can either jump to the Plans and Pricing page or join a call with one of their representatives for demos, questions, or customer support. You can also sign up for a demo by putting in your personal information on the website. This allows you access to a 30-day free trial of 8x8's services. The only downside to checking out 8x8 is that the site doesn't offer any details on pricing unless you call for a quote. This lack of transparency may cause customers to choose other companies over 8x8 due to more available information.
5 business phone plans
There are 5 different plans to choose from at 8x8.
No pricing details online
Years ago, 8x8 used to be a favorite due to its straightforward pricing structure. However, now 8x8 doesn't offer any kind of pricing information online. You have to contact 8x8 for a quote either by phone or by entering all of your personal information into the system. This lack of transparency keeps 8x8 from being as competitive as it should be.
Secure data-driven program
8x8 offers security, privacy, and compilation of your business data through third-party certifications, offering features like call activity reporting, AI-driven speech analytics, and virtual agents. By consolidating and analyzing data from various communication channels, it provides valuable insights that improve productivity, reduce costs, and foster revenue growth. It also offers 3-factor security, so you can trust that your data remains confidential.
Solid scores despite missing prices
Despite our concerns about 8x8's lack of transparency, the company has a perfect "A+” rating and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. In terms of third-party reviews, the feedback is a little mixed. Most recent customers love their experience with 8x8, praising things like the ease of use, and the integration of tools like chat and callback systems. There are a handful of negative reviews, but these appear to be few and far between and the complaints are centered around specific customer service reps at 8x8 rather than the service itself.
A solid choice if you don't mind digging for prices
While 8x8 may offer viable solutions for some businesses, you may still prefer alternatives due to the lack of pricing transparency. However, if you don't mind sitting on a call with a sales rep, 8x8 has an impressive reputation for success from both the BBB and customers. For this reason, 8x8 earns a balanced rating with room to improve significantly if it adds more transparency to its website.
Deciding on the right business phone system for your company can take a lot of research. What do you want to accomplish with your new business phone system? Are you looking for a basic system that provides separate numbers for business calls and can route them to different employees? Or do you require a fully-featured system with capabilities for video conferencing, file sharing, app integration, and global reach?
Sometimes a small business only needs a few features whereas a larger corporation might not be able to function without those extra integrations. Understanding your specific requirements and how you intend to grow as a business is crucial before diving into the world of business phone systems.
Regardless of your business size, there are plenty of ways to serve your company with a new phone system. Even solo entrepreneurs can find suitable providers with features meant to help out a single business owner specifically.
Some systems are as simple as adding an 800 number to your existing device, making it simple to separate your business from personal calls while still managing your life on one phone. Other systems are primed for large, even international, businesses that need to field hundreds of calls, record videos, or send out automated texts.
While a business phone system might have been an expensive venture before, the landscape has evolved from the days of purchasing equipment and installing landlines. Nowadays, most business phone systems rely on mobile phones and offer totally online or cloud-based calling systems. Companies can use existing hardware and minimize upfront costs significantly. However, monthly expenses can still range from $12 to over $100 per user, depending on features and provider choices.
Despite potential initial costs, investing in a business phone system can yield some serious benefits. Enhanced productivity, quicker response times, and better data collection can be essential to your business and its future growth. Make sure to weigh the long-term advantages against the upfront costs when considering a business phone system for your company.
When picking out your new business phone system, you might get overwhelmed by the many available options out there. Here are several factors to consider to help you find the perfect phone support for your business:
To help you pick out the best phone system for your business, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the top providers on the market. Our research aims to give you the tools and techie details to navigate through the options and find the perfect phone system match for your company. We hope this helps you confidently choose a business phone system that meets your operational needs and helps you get back to the most important thing: running your business!
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