RingCentral

How does a cloud-based telephone system sound to you? Is internal communication through means of phone, fax, cell, Skype, etc. part of your everyday work? Are you searching for a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) provider that could make your network independent of physical infrastructure? Looking for a system different from classical, that can be installed and completely managed online, connecting your office with your employees on the field disregarding their location? Need a program that can integrate with other business applications, such as Salesforce, Gmail, Outlook or Zendesk? Today we write about a SaaS solution which is part of the answer for all of the questions above: RingCentral.

Intro & features

RingCentral is a brand by the identically named company, which was found in California in 1999. This feature-filled cloud-based phone and fax system is designed to bring an improvement in productivity, flexibility and accessibility in business communication compared to conventional phone systems. RingCentral can become an extra part of applications company already uses every day, whether their platform is desktop, mobile or cloud: except all of the ones expected by default – Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Google Chrome – integration is also possible with numerous more specific ones, also frequently used in offices – e.g. Desk, Office 365, Salesforce, Oracle Sales Cloud, Box, TeamSupport, and so on. The flagship system is the cloud PBX phone system using VoIP technology, establishing a system with no need for PBX hardware on-premise. Without losing the coverage of all of the major types of telecommunication: one-in-one or conference call, fax, SMS, regardless of the device (smartphone, tablet, desk phone, computer), virtual PBX system means reduction in price and expansion of previously limited functionality. On top of it, the security is increased since there are no physical components of the system on site, so it maintains its functionality regardless of the weather, power disruptances or potential human-inflicted damage. The call management is also an important set of features: besides basics like call forwarding and alerts for missed calls, it supports Call Flip (shifting a call between different devices), Presence (status showing your availability on all of the devices you use) and call screening. As RingCentral is oriented on at least medium-sized work environments in constant need for teamwork of some kind, there are options covering it too. If you want online meetings with possibility of file-sharing, audio conferencing with up to thousand members, or video conferencing limited to 50 attendees, just name it. Making a step further into team organization, RingCentral also presents so-called Glip, which is a team workspace that has all of the crucial tools already built-in, increasing efficiency and work rate (as much as 36% of your time is spent in inbox, website claims). What RingCentral also offers is a variety of equipment – phones and headsets with HD voice quality (mostly products from Polycom, Cisco and Yealink) and suitable for desk phones, receptionists and conference calls.

Customer’s thoughts

When it comes to user’s satisfaction, only extremes are present: customers are either thrilled or resentful with the service RingCentral turns out to provide. The reasons for the negative reviews are diverse, ranging from basic functionality problems with telephone and faxes that weren’t fixed quickly enough for client’s needs, through overly complicated setup, to accusations for misinterpretation of features and false advertising concerning available features and tech support. On the other hand, those pleased with RingCentral praise excellent service during several years, availability and knowledge of the system shown by the support staff, describing delivery, installation, training and customer service as “faultless”. The scalability of the system, as one of the most significant properties a system like this should possess, is considered solid and trustworthy. One is for certain: both groups agree monthly fee is too high (around $24.99 at the moment) and not intended for small, home-based business with single-user account. The possibility of personalized demonstrations of main features, as well as free trial, is available at RingCentral’s website, so since the reviews are quite polarized, it would be in best interest of any new customer to check it out first.

Read more about RingCentral on DiscoverCloud website or knowledge base!