8x8 Review
Is it right for your business?
Among telecommunications providers for business 8x8, Inc. has proven to be a rapidly growing provider and has become a mainstay in the arena. If your business is looking into Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or Unified Communications (UC) solutions, 8x8 has probably come into play in your research. Among the leaders in VoIP and UC solutions for businesses of all types and sizes, 8x8 has a reputation as a forward thinking and reliable communications provider and partner.
The Origins of 8x8
Named for the number of video pixels used in image compression, 8x8 has a long history in designing and manufacturing chips and hardware used in video conferencing, VoIP, and telecommunications equipment for business. Beginning in the mid-2000’s, 8x8 stepped into the service field and began offering its VoIP and UC services to businesses of all sizes through retail and other channels. Today, 8x8 is used by businesses of all shapes and sizes, residential consumers, city governments, and other entities, and offers a truly comprehensive array of solutions from UC to cloud hosting and more.
The Technical Details
Industry leading compression, advanced video and audio hardware, and a full suite of Fortune 500 calling features available with all of its service packages are a few of the main selling points of 8x8’s service plans. They provide VoIP service to both residential and commercial clients at a fraction of the prices of some of their main competitors, and have a strong reputation for call quality and reliability. The recent acquisition of Contactual Inc, a Redwood City, CA company, will further 8x8’s goals with regard to comprehensive cloud services and allow for more features and options for their existing customers.
8x8 Services:
- Residential and Commercial VoIP Solutions
- UC Solutions for both Large and Small Businesses
- A Variety of Hosting Solutions
- Disaster Recovery Services
- Cloud Based Hosting and Communications Solutions
- Video Conferencing Systems
The Pros and Cons of 8x8
8x8 is well known for its cutting edge technology and the broad range of communications services and solutions it provides. Their service plans are also well known for being significantly less expensive overall than many of the other leading business communications providers. Particularly attractive to many small businesses is the lower overall TCO that comes with 8x8’s services, allowing for big-business feature packs without having to overextend financially to get them.
8x8 has drawn some limited criticism when it comes to installation and service difficulties on site. There are reports that while the service itself functions extremely well, there may be issues with a limited amount of after sale customer service.
Overall, 8x8 tends to be a reputable and reliable UC and VoIP provider for businesses of all types. One of the few providers who provide complete and comprehensive solutions at affordable pricing plans to small businesses, 8x8 is a steadily growing company with an ever increasing vision of UC services for everyone.
Before it became a necessity during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, many companies had already begun realizing the benefits inherent in embracing remote work. These benefits are substantial and signal that (even when the pandemic is but a memory) remote work will continue to flourish and become a mainstay in the redefined workplace - particularly when it comes to VoIP. This guide will demonstrate how the workforce is changing and leaning toward remote work as a permanent business choice, explain the critical role VoIP will continue to play in supporting remote work, and highlight some of the new trends and innovations coming in 2021 for VoIP. more
