Running a Business from Mobile Device Guide

The modern world requires mobility, and technology plays a vital role. Mobile devices are more powerful than ever, providing users with a powerful computer in their hands. But can you run a business from your mobile device?

It’s possible when you have a cloud-based unified communications (UC) platform that enables voice, video conferencing, chat, file sharing, email, and more. Let’s look at how anyone can run a business from their mobile phone.

The New World of Work Requires Easy Access to Communications

Before the pandemic, there was already significant movement from on-premises to cloud-based solutions. In 2020, everything changed, and access to systems outside the office became paramount to running a business.

Now, hybrid work models are the new foundation, where employees spend time on-site and remote. According to a recent Gallup survey, 53 percent of workers anticipate being hybrid for the future, and 59 percent prefer this scenario.

Thus, the future is flexibility in where people work, which means they need tools that are accessible from anywhere with any device.

So, what features should you seek to enable running a business from a mobile device?

The Capabilities Needed to Run a Business from Your Mobile Device

A variety of UC solutions are available on the market, many of which have similar features. In comparing options, these are the capabilities you’ll need to manage a business from a mobile device.

Mobile App for Business

First and foremost, the platform needs a mobile app. The app enables access to communication tools easily. Within that app, you’ll find the key components of the UC platform, specifically voice and chat.

Robust Phone Features

Voice is a primary need to run a business, but you shouldn’t be tied to a location to have all the modern features of phones. By using your mobile app, you’ll be able to:

• Search your company phone directory.
• Manage multiple calls at once.
• Manage voicemail with transcriptions and the ability to play, forward, and delete messages.
• Access advanced calling features, including call transferring and holds.
• Create rules around receiving business calls.

With the right provider, you’ll also appreciate high-quality calls and a reliable system that works from anywhere. Additionally, should a natural disaster or other incident occur, you’ll still be able to use your business phone through the app.

Team Chat Keeps You Connected

Another critical component of using your mobile device to run a business is staying connected with your team. Chat makes this very seamless since it’s a quick way to communicate. You can have one-to-one conversations and create specific channels for topics, departments, or projects.

Team chat also has a presence indicator, so you’ll know who’s available should you need a response urgently.

Video Meetings with Your Mobile Device

Video conferencing has become a common component of the workday. It enables collaboration and removes the physical distance between attendees. It’s a screen-to-screen interaction that can occur from a mobile device.

A browser-based solution is part of a UC platform, and that allows for quick meeting starts without technical assistance. You can also screen share from your mobile device. Your mobile device becomes your individual virtual workstation in meetings.

Work on, Share, and Store Critical Files

A lot of what anyone does at work relates to creating documents. Every team needs these to facilitate work, no matter their role. The problem lies in the decentralization of these assets. If files don’t have a designated place to live, they end up everywhere.

In other cases, you may use solutions like Google Drive, which has size limitations and is not your company’s domain. Thus, your UC solution should provide the ability to create, work on, share, and store files in one spot that has excellent security.

With file sharing, you can even work on a document simultaneously without any syncing issues. As a result of this feature, you won’t have to bother with long email streams that keep passing versions back and forth.

File sharing removes so many barriers to working on documents from wherever. You’ll likely see an uptick in productivity and efficiency with these features.

More Features with Valuable Integrations

Your UC solution extends its capabilities with integrations. Running a business with your phone often requires using applications outside a UC system. For example, you can integrate the platform with a CRM (customer relationship management) tool, which is especially helpful for sales and customer support.

You can also add Microsoft Office 365 to your UC to merge email and all other applications. You can streamline business workflows and never have to wait until you reach a desktop to find the information you need.

Running a Business with Your Mobile Device Is Possible with Intermedia Unite

If you want to expand and grow your business, being mobile is imperative. This agility enables you to work from wherever and have the same experience as sitting at a desk. All these features and more are available with Intermedia Unite.

Unite is for wherever, whenever communications with a mobile app that works on any Apple or Android smart device. It’s also highly secure and reliable. Explore Unite today and see how it puts you in control of your business from anywhere.

Kirsten Barta

Kirsten Barta is Sr Marketing Communications Manager at Intermedia