8x8 Adds Branch Office and Switchboard Pro to Virtual Office

8x8, Inc. is helping customers expand with a New Virtual Office function 8x8 Branch Office. This is a new Virtual Office feature, through which customers can segment their 8x8 cloud-based PBX to various branch offices, while still keeping everything integrated in a single unified communications platform.

The Branch Office feature provides system administrators with the ability to define branch offices and associate extensions from their corporate directory to said branch, which is particularly helpful for companies with offices spread out around the world. This allows 8x8’s customers to run PBX capabilities from remote branches without having to purchase and install separate equipment at each location.

Its capabilities enable Virtual Office customers to not just define branch office instances, but also assign associates to each one, along with an auto attendant and unique call flows. Callers can opt out of leaving a voicemail, should they reach a mailbox, and return to the branch receptionist. In short, it is designed to not only allocate the various branch offices, but make each a convenience to manage and contact.

Additionally, 8x8 has announced the Virtual Office Switchboard Pro. This is a web-based, multi-faceted offering, designed to streamline call routing and management capabilities. Receptionists and other front office users should find it particularly helpful, as it lets them view real-time “presences” for all users within a corporation or branch office, making management of incoming calls easier.

“Hosted services like 8x8 changed UC with the concept of a virtual PBX across multiple locations,” says Dave Michels, UC Expert for UCStrategies. “The premises vendors all followed suit, but still had the benefit of branch location independence when desired. It is interesting to see the cloud providers now eliminating the differences that remain between hosted and premises-based solutions. Adding more independence to a branch simplifies local needs around receptionist and IVR functions. Now, organizations can have centralized administration with distributed branch identities from a hosted provider.”

With these new releases, 8x8 is attempting to improve communication through improved convenience and easier management. For businesses with many locations and branches around the world, the 8x8 Branch Office should prove a helpful enhancement. As for the Switchboard Pro, it may very well be a source of great relief for anyone who has to answer phones all day.