Well, the Answer is Yes and No.
Last November, we independently surveyed 486 business users who have access to both a desk phone at work and a smartphone to better understand how they use these communication devices to manage their business voice calls. What we found was sobering, if not predictable:
- Only one in two (54%) business users regularly use their desk phones at work to make voice calls;
- One in three (36%) business users regularly use their smartphones at work while their desk phones sit idle collecting dust; and
- One in three (33%) business users are willing to give up their work desk phones completely.
You can see more of the survey data here.
When we set out to build a new business phone family almost two years ago, we recognized that business desk phones are increasingly becoming isolated hardware islands in a sea of cubicles. While business users valued the high audio quality and business phone features of work desk phones, they clearly loved the convenience of their smartphones.
Why Verge
Our working thesis was that in order for the next-generation of business phones to stay relevant in modern workplaces, they need to work seamlessly with mobile devices because mobile devices are the hubs of business communications. Let’s face it: Most people don’t have a passion for their desk phones but they can’t live without their smartphones.
We officially introduced Allworx® Verge™ on January 18th to bridge this very gap between desk phones and mobile devices. Verge offers industry’s first-and-only mobility integration features including:
- Real- time sharing of contacts from mobile devices and Microsoft Outlook to Verge IP phones that is simple to use
- Instant call handoff to and from Verge IP phones and mobile devices (via Reach)
- Remote control of Verge IP phones using mobile devices (via Reach)
- Bluetooth mobile call appearance (available in Verge 9312 IP phone only)
This is just a few of the many incredible features that are available in Verge.
Closing Thoughts…
When we brought the Verge IP phones with us on the road to demo its capabilities to trade press and industry analysts, many were surprised that a small company in Rochester, NY has come up with mobility-integration features that they’ve never seen before from much bigger vendors like Cisco, ShoreTel, Avaya, and Mitel. You can see some of the industry press coverage here: TechZone360, SmallBizDaily, IT World Canada, Channel Partners, and Network World.
I’m incredibly proud of the Allworx team for creating a truly unique and differentiated product in the market. As history teaches us again and again, it’s usually not the biggest names in the market that ushers in innovations but the little guys like us who often pave the way.
