Optus has launched Loop - its cloud-based, virtual PABX targeted to small-to-medium business.
PABX (private automatic branch exchange) is generally expensive yet not sexy but it enables business to transfer calls, have a receptionist answer calls, offer auto-attendants if not, set up call centres, and generally route the call anywhere within the system.
Optus Loop, in collaboration with Broadsoft UC-One has repackaged and rebranded its “UC-One app” to provide a range of PABX and SMB business features on a mobile, tablet or VoIP handset.
Matt Ball recently joined Optus as head of Small to Medium Business, said, “We are turning PABX on its head by helping to reduce the costly infrastructure so SMBs can do away with clunky and expensive telephony systems to now run their business seamlessly and easily on a fixed and mobile integrated mobile service.”
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The launch was at the new and impressive wework co-working offices at 100 Harris Street, Pyrmont Sydney. The audience was a mix of established small business and start-ups. Ball said that SMBs all had similar needs – keep it simple, save time, save money and help us find more customers to grow the business.
Ball said that Optus had focused on these needs for the SMB’s that make up about 95% of all business. It had introduced SMB specialists into many of its capital city and regional stores, it had SMB specialists in its call centres, there was a new Premium white-glove “onboarding experience” and fast-lane support for customers with three or more services to jump queues – a.k.a. “priority boarding” as per airlines.
In addition, it had Optus Smart Shops with 24/7 IT support and 34 dedicated Business Centres.
Back to UC One – sorry Optus Loop. The slip was intentional as UC-one has offered a tried and proven product for some time to companies from a few seats to a few thousand. The difference is that Optus hosts the cloud solution locally in Sydney and Melbourne (that should eliminate the lag often experienced with international VoIP solutions) and it can bundle internet, 4G broadband and SMB focused IT services. For example, there is no data cost to use Loop over Optus’s 4G network that could be very handy for small, mobile businesses.
Some of the interesting features included Dual identity (seamless handoff from landline to mobile), call move, all the usual SMB PABX features, presence sensing, voicemail to email, and basic collaboration tools.
Loop prices depend on the number of users, the length of contact (or pay-as-you-go), and the features you want. You pay a site fee of $10 per site, and it starts at $50 per month per user (we presume this is per direct in-dial number and 25 additional features) and $55 per user per month (for 40 additional features). The prices include unlimited calls to Australian fixed and mobile numbers, 13/1300 numbers and select countries (or worldsaver rates apply). Optus staff did mention discounts for longer terms and more seats.
The primary benefit is that you don’t need dedicated ethernet wiring in the office and any desktop, notebook, tablet or mobile phone that runs its app can act as a phone.