Streamlining Your Information Technology Needs

With the New Year fast approaching, it’s time to take a look at how to streamline your business’s information technology setup. Many businesses seem to go one of two ways when it comes to their information technology: too much, or not enough. But what exactly is Information Technology (IT)? How do you know whether or not you have it already? And how do you know if you have too little or too much of it?

Information technology is made up of the computers, networks, software, storage devices, and anything else that stores, manipulates, or transmits/receives data. In fact, reading this blog right now on your computer, you are using one of the pieces in your IT arsenal. But how do you know if you need more or less of it?

A good way to determine whether or not you have all of your bases covered is to see how effective your business is during the course of daily business. Do you have processes that could be simplified with new software? For example, are you maintaining digital files and paper files only to find discrepancies later on? This could be a sign that your business should move towards a more complete digital file management system.

On the other hand, if you take a look around your office and see empty desks, unused computers, and a network of data storage that would look more fitting in a massive credit card company’s headquarters, then you have too much IT. Take stock of what your company utilizes during the course of the business day. Anything that you are paying extra for and not using should be reconsidered.

It is important to keep your business’s operational needs consistent with the technology that your business has or needs to operate at full capacity. Too little IT and you won’t see the benefits of what expertly implemented IT can do. Too much IT and you are likely dipping in to your company’s profits to pay for it.

TeleDirect is another way to streamline your business. We offer 24/7/365 call center services to businesses looking to make their efforts as effective as possible in a challenging economy. See how we can help to improve the way that you do business!

5 Technology Based Business Solutions to Improve Your Business

Growing a business to profitable proportions in no over-night task. It takes more than the will to succeed - it also takes the right tools. But what tools does the modern business need to make the most out of every work day? How can technology step up to the plate and help us do business better?

Customer Relationship Management - If you have ever needed to reference an in office database while you were on the road, then you probably ended up calling a co-worker and owing them a favor as a result. With CRM software you have all of the access you would have sitting at your desk, only mobile. Now the sales numbers you were looking for won’t mean buying donuts for the guy in the cubicle next to yours!

The Video Call - Skype and companies like it have revolutionized the way businesses communicate, saved countless hours of travel time, and saved a ton of money for companies in search of a way to reduce their spending. With the video conferencing or video calls you maintain the in-person feel of your meeting, while reducing the headaches and cost of traveling to your client for the aforementioned meeting.

File Sharing - You have not managed documents until you have used a file sharing program like Dropbox. With typical documents you run into the trouble of keeping track of the latest version, or a loss of accountability as it shuffles throughout your office. Not so with a file sharing drop box. It allows you to manage the latest version, see who has modified it, and access it from anywhere with an Internet connection.

WiFi On-the-Go - In the fast- paced world of a small business, you cannot afford to stop into a cafe every time you need WiFi on the go. That’s why a small investment in a WiFi card may be a good choice for your business. These devices mean Internet access whenever and wherever. The benefit is obvious, especially if you travel as a result of your daily business.

Mobile Device - Nowadays you could run a small country from most mobile devices - which is advantageous for anyone trying to run a business from one. That being said, that ridiculous 90’s flip-phone you’ve been carting around just won’t cut the mustard anymore. Investing in up to date technology will greatly reduce frustration when it comes to answering email, accessing client info, and fielding calls.

TeleDirect can be a useful resource for your business! Visit our website to see the long list of services that we have supplied to companies just like yours to improve their daily operations.

Technology Focus - The App

Nowadays, there is a mobile app (application) for everything. Reminder apps, finance apps, travel apps - you name it and chances are someone has made it into an app to somehow make life just a little bit easier for someone somewhere. So, it should come as no surprise that businesses everywhere are capitalizing on the app explosion to make their business easier to access and support.

Apps are used with mobile devices and smart phones - which if you hadn’t noticed by now, everyone has and uses like crazy. Why not make your business app accessible to increase your businesses profits? After all, apps are designed for ease of use, and many were designed to function like a full website from a device that may have limitations like a small screen or keyboard. This lets customers access functions, informations, and resources from anywhere on a mobile device.

Apps make it easy to buy products and services. It doesn’t take a business whiz to know that when a product or service is easier to buy, it is also easier to sell. Many businesses are relying on apps to not only promote services they offer, but they are also making themselves visible in the eyes of their clients as the app is downloaded to their personal mobile devices, therefore being seen on a daily basis.

You may be asking: Do I need an app for my business? Deciding what exactly the app will do is the first step. It could be as simple as a scheduling software that allows clients to book appointments, or as in-depth as an advanced sales assistant where your clients and customers can learn about your company and make purchases on the go. Making the app free to download and use will make the risk non-existent for your customers and drive business to you as a result.

If it is done right, your app can help you to gather leads and customer information. You can use this information to expand your business. The best part of apps is that the sky is the limit. If your company needs a certain function, then the chances are that it can be done through you app!

Mobile Integration from TeleDirect

The mobile integration of your business is no longer a dream that you have to chase, it is the way most business conduct their daily operations. Huge businesses have been doing it for years, and up until recently, it was something that small business could only hope for. Well, that is a thing of the past with TeleDirect. Whether we make daily trips to the office, work from a home office, or work from the road on sales trips, being tied to your information resources no longer means being strapped to a desk.

With our Instant Sales Expert your leads, tasks, and opportunities are all presented right before your eyes on your mobile device allowing you to hit the road and keep your business moving full steam ahead. No more missing calls or opportunities because you were away from your computer or phone. Instant Sales Expert is more than just a central hub for your business’s outreach efforts. It is also a way to measure your progress while using TeleDirect services. Accessing your reports, changing vital profile information, tracking recent activity within your business, and managing team member access to the ISE has never been easier.

ISE allows your sales team to pursue hot leads and book appointments with perspective clients, while leaving the initial outreach to us. This Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is sure to become a driving force for your business to increase sales, maintain and exceed client expectations, and monitor progress as you go to make sure your valuable resources are being allocated properly. It’s almost like hiring more employees to only focus on tracking down leads.

As you may have figured out by now, TeleDirect is so much more than a call center. We are part of your team, and are driven by your successes. Improving your sales strategy can be as easy as contacting us today. Our low cost, high reward design has made a valuable asset to many businesses.

Learn more about ISE services through our ISE website www.instantsalesexpert.com, or by contacting one of our representatives today!

Big Data’s Growing Impact

The truth is that our technology driven society is, and has been, growing at an alarming rate and it is not slowing down. We live in a world where information can be accessed from nearly anywhere on earth and our market choices, contacts, transactions, and most of our digital lives is being stored somewhere in one way or another. This is Big Data.

Large companies and government agencies are not the only ones facing the Big Data dilemma. Small and mid range companies are also finding the need to store and analyze more and more data as our technology advances in a globalized marketplace. The days of purging old files to make room for the new ones are numbered; today’s businesses are in need of serious solutions.

Big Data is here to stay as we become ever reliant on our electronics and companies working in the realms of information technology are constantly devising way to keep up with the exponential growth of data. This task is not an easy one as the uses for such an array of information are nearly as limitless as the types of data that are present.

Because the data that companies compile is not shrinking, the need to harness and translate this data is also growing at an exponential rate. Analysis opens the door to huge business opportunities as well as the ability to stop fraud and theft and create up to the minute risk analysis. The trouble lies in finding the right information to analyze amidst the ones and zeros.

To be able to analyze such massive quantities of data is a valuable and vital tool to any business regardless of size. Without analysis, this information is not only hard to quantify in any usable manner, but can range from documents files to the latest social media postings depending on the company.

This is the analyst-in-a-box approach that so many small businesses need to gain control of their data storage needs. Failure to grow with this technology could have dramatic results for companies seeking growth in this competitive marketplace. Contact TeleDirect today to see how your business can tackle the Big Data challenge head on to keep your business moving full steam ahead.

Cloud-Based Solutions from TeleDirect

At TeleDirect, we are always on the lookout for the next big technological trend in customer service so that we can keep your business on the cutting edge. Now, we’re putting our efforts into establishing cloud-based customer service technology that should further enhance the convenience and business-friendly nature of our customer service.

One of the main issues that arises with traditional call center operations is that customer service representatives require access to all kinds of spreadsheets and databases that contain the information needed to answer the questions of customers. Any information about your business that you need us to know is likely contained within these types of documents. This type of service isn’t always extraordinarily efficient. For example, some representatives might be slower to get the information they need, meaning they would need to transfer customers to people who have answers or call other representatives for assistance when on the phone with customers.

With cloud computing, we can instantly update the capabilities of our customer service operations. Instead of having an inconvenient mass of spreadsheets, databases, and documents, our customer service representatives can use tools that allow them to instantly retrieve important customer information, customer history, contact information and more all from one central location – the cloud. All customer service representatives and call center employees have access to the cloud, as well as our clients, meaning that you can update this information and have it instantly seen for our entire customer service team.

Cloud computing services in customer service can also directly benefit the customer. The cloud enables the creation of self-service stations, which allow customers to instantly seek the answers to their questions themselves or to create a log of any troubles they have with products. Customers also could have the ability to post ideas about products that could have a great benefit for your business. It’s a way to make customer service more engaging than ever before!

For more information about our work with cloud-based technology, contact us at TeleDirect today. We constantly strive to bring your business the best in new customer service technology!

Direct IVR Solutions from TeleDirect

Many businesses and call centers today are constantly on the lookout for tools that can reduce costs of making sales, customer service, collections, support calls, and more. One such tool is IVR, which stands for Interactive Voice Response. At TeleDirect, we use Direct IVR services to cut costs and increase efficiency in all of our operations.

Many companies choose to use IVR services to help establish 24/7 business operations. This is partially how we are able to constantly serve your customers. The use of IVR, voice automation, and other technologies allows any questions from your callers to be answered without the presence of a live customer service representative. While we believe in the importance of having live representatives available as much as possible, it is also important to have a system that works when there is no representative availability.

We can also use our IVR system to identify and classify your business’s callers. Since we can identify your callers before we even pick up the phone, we are able to better personalize our services for that customer’s specific needs. Imagine how impressed your customers will be when you answer the phone and already know who’s calling and how they can help you!

In addition, IVR services give more options to callers when lines are busy. In the event that you have a huge rush of callers to our phone lines, the IVR service gives the caller the option to wait for the next available representative, work with the automated service or request a call back from a live representative as soon as possible. The idea is to give the customer the option to avoid a long wait on hold while still ensuring that they will get the service they need.

Finally, IVR allows your business to prioritize your customers. If you have customers that you classify as being major clients, loyal customers, or anything else you consider to be a priority, you can move them to the front of the line when they call in. It’s a great way to reward people who consistently do business with your company.

To achieve all of the great benefits from IVR technology, work with TeleDirect today! Visit our website to learn how you can get started with our services.