Using your work phone for personal use has been a hot topic in the business world for years. Roughly 26% of US businesses provide company cell phones for their employees.
Cost is a significant barrier for most companies that are considering implementing mobile phones. In fact, over time, mobile devices can cost far more than a standard VoIP phone system.
Most companies aren't purchasing phones because they believe employees don't use them. However, 95% of Americans have a cell phone of some kind, and 71% of employees spend over two hours a week accessing company information on their phones.
Fortunately, new technologies make it easier to let employees use their devices while still connecting from a business line. We'll walk you through the primary options.
The 2 Options for Using Your Work Phone for Personal Use
When you set up your phone for both business and personal use, you have constant, pandemic-proof access to the company. It's also much cheaper than buying more devices, and there's no hassle of maintaining accountability for them all. With this solution, businesses save money and get maximum employee interaction, which helps get work done.
1. Business Applications
The first option involves downloading third-party applications onto your personal device.
One of the benefits of business applications is that you can select the app that best fits your team's needs. Once selected, you sign into the app and then can dial out from a business number through the app.
Business applications enable you to:
- Make the calls through data or wifi
- Get call-center-like options through a visual interface — such as call forwarding
- Set up departments, assistants, and more
Different apps have different options. It's essential to shop around until you find the one that's right for you.
Problems can occur, however, because you access the service through data and wifi. You can get several glitchy calls if the signal isn't right, which results in many problems that can be frustrating when you're trying to get work done. It can also damage employees' confidence and business prospects when communication isn't reliable and make both employees and customers unhappy.
From the customer's perspective, they may not have a problem calling in. However, customers are known to complain about the line ringing multiple times on their end when it rang only a few times on the user's end.
These apps also have a low adoption rate because of the hassle of opening and signing into apps to work. Most apps work on all mobile operating systems, but the success rate varies from system to system.
2. eSIM Technology
eSIM allows you to add a SIM card digitally to a phone, allowing them to call from a business or personal line. It helps you to switch between the two.
To use eSIM, you dial the number normally like you usually would. You’ll choose if you want to dial out from your personal or business number. The simplicity of this process dramatically increases the adoption rate.
Employees can use their phones, which means companies don't have to purchase devices continually. Accountability issues also go away because people won't leave their phone lying around the same way they do their business phone.
With Atlantech Online, users can access all significant carrier towers, meaning users have the best cell phone service around. They can jump networks, from AT&T to Sprint to Verizon with zero issues, while users from those companies are limited to one.
To get started, get an unlocked phone. With an unlocked phone, you're free to use any provider without getting tied to a specific one.
The second step is to choose a provider. It would help if you had a Unified Communications (UCaaS) provider like us. You do not have to buy any additional equipment.
Whichever company you decide, make sure you check into how available support is for you at all times. Also, know what features you can access.
The final step is to set up your phone. Atlantech Online can provide you with an eSim that works with most smartphones. The technology fits right in with the technology that's already on your phone, so you don't need to learn any new apps or new interfaces.
It's simple to use. When a call comes through your business line, it goes through Atlantech Online Voice Switch. It gives you the ability to store any calls in the virtual recording system. Then it is logged in the UCaas Systems and the customer relationship management tool.
Choosing the Option that Works for Your Team
You have a job to do, whether you're in or out of the office. The business world today requires flexibility, so you need to stay connected no matter where you are. Using your phone for business and pleasure is the perfect way to make that work.
It's a new age, and the business day doesn't end at 5 p.m. anymore. It would help if you made yourself constantly available and always connected. With a pandemic at large, this is even more important. If you have eSim technology, you can stay connected during quarantine 24/7. It's pandemic proof.
Every team has different needs. If the app approach is more straightforward and your team uses it, go with that method. Apps can be great options for some businesses. However, if apps give you the same problems we mentioned earlier, eSim may be just what you need. It will be much less of a hassle for your employees.
Atlantech Online can help you make the switch and implement eSim technology so that you can get the best setup for your business and personal needs. We can make the transition effortless and help you feel at ease and confident about your new technology.
