Resources from Unified Communications

Why Cloud Platforms Are Good in a Crisis

By Paula Bernier
Executive Editor, TMC

Cloud communications are beneficial not only due to their lower upfront costs, the ability to scale as needed, and the fact that they are always up to date. They are also helpful for organizations during times of crisis, as cloud-based platforms enable business leaders to connect with employees wherever they are to touch base, offer updates, and otherwise communicate whatever needs to be shared.

That’s the subject of a Business Cloud News story posted earlier this month by Jamie Davies. And this story emphasizes the fact that the ability to communicate in times of crisis is paramount, especially in this increasingly uncertain world in which we all exist.

Of course, mobile phones go a long way in enabling people to communicate from wherever they are. However, as the article notes, that can make it tough for organizations to track the whereabouts of all of their employees, not to mention those employees’ schedules.

“The solution,” Davies suggests, “is to utilize the power of a critical communications platform to implement crisis management plans that will help to keep businesses operational and effective in the event of an emergency, and ensure that staff are safe and protected.”

Cloud-based platforms are beneficial on this front, he explains, because they have location mapping, which can provide organizations with information at their employees’ locations. These platforms also enable people to send secure messages to all or select subsets of their co-workers and managers.

“This is a crucial area where cloud-based platforms have an advantage over other forms of crisis communication tools; unlike the SMS blasters of the past, emergency notifications are not only sent out across all available channels and contact paths, but continue to be sent out until the recipient acknowledges them,” says Davies. “This two-way polling feature means that businesses can design bespoke templates to send out to staff in the event of an emergency, which allows them to quickly respond and inform the company as to their current status and whether they are in need of any assistance.”