Comcast Business is taking advantage of this week’s Enterprise Connect show to show off a number of enhancements for its voice services portfolio that allow small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) to integrate with popular Google Chrome and Skype voice applications.
Some of the enhancements include recently introduced productivity tools like VoiceEdge for Skype for Business and VoiceEdge for Google Chrome. These capabilities allow businesses to integrate with Business VoiceEdge, a hosted PBX solution, enabling access to features such as click-to-call and call transfer from a computer.
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Using a desktop application that can be downloaded free of charge, the VoiceEdge for Skype for Business app allows businesses to connect Business VoiceEdge to their Skype for Business account. Customers can initiate phone calls directly from a Skype for Business contact or within a message window using a Business VoiceEdge-enabled device via click-to-dial. The service also offers features such as placing a call on hold, call transfer, call resume, moving a call to a new device, or placing their phone on "do not disturb” during a call.
VoiceEdge for Google Chrome allows businesses to make phone calls directly from their Google Chrome browser using Business VoiceEdge. A user can answer a call directly from an email message, calendar event, contact or website. Additionally, the service allows business users to transfer an active call to a different phone number or move a call to a new device, as well as hold or end a call.
Comcast Business VoiceEdge is a cloud-based managed phone system offering a range of PBX and unified communications features. It also has a mobile app for both IOS and Android devices.
Being able to introduce new capabilities that allow SMBs to integrate with web-based applications like Skype and Google Chrome shows Comcast Business' desire to appeal to a segment where managed web applications are a good fit. These services are well suited for SMBs as they don't require the upfront capital and ongoing maintenance of an on-site traditional PBX of key system.
Comcast Business has carved out a sizable niche in the SMB market. During the fourth quarter, business services overall were $1.44 billion, up from $1.26 billion in the same period a year ago. The cable MSO reported that business services revenue rose 14.5% due to an increase in SMB customers.