Websites using 8x8

Okay, let s break down 8x8, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

1. 8x8 Overview

• What it is: 8x8 is a leading provider of cloud-based communication and collaboration solutions for businesses of all sizes. They offer a unified platform that combines voice, video, chat, contact center, and analytics.
• Key Features:
  • Business Phone System (VoIP): Cloud-based phone service with features like call routing, auto-attendant, voicemail, and mobile apps.
  • Video Conferencing: Integrated video meetings and webinars.
  • Team Chat: Collaboration platform for instant messaging, file sharing, and team workspaces.
  • Contact Center: Comprehensive solution for managing customer interactions across multiple channels (phone, email, chat, social media).
  • Analytics and Reporting: Provides data-driven insights into communication patterns, agent performance, and customer experience.
  • Integrations: Integrates with popular CRM, productivity, and business applications like Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace.
• Target Audience: Small businesses, mid-sized companies, and enterprises across various industries.
• Strengths:
  • Unified Platform: Combines multiple communication tools into a single solution, simplifying management and improving collaboration.
  • Scalability: Can easily scale up or down to accommodate changing business needs.
  • Global Reach: Supports international calling and operations.
  • Robust Features: Offers a comprehensive set of features for both basic and advanced communication requirements.
• Weaknesses:
  • Complexity: The breadth of features can be overwhelming for some users.
  • Cost: Can be more expensive than some simpler VoIP solutions.
  • Customer Support: Customer support can be inconsistent, with some users reporting long wait times and difficulty resolving issues (discussed in more detail below).

2. Revenue

• As a public company (NYSE: EGHT), 8x8 reports its revenue quarterly and annually. You can find the most up-to-date information on their Investor Relations website.

3. Alternatives to 8x8

Here s a list of alternatives, categorized by what they re best for:

• For Basic VoIP/Phone Systems:

  • RingCentral: A very popular and feature-rich alternative, often considered a direct competitor to 8x8.
  • Dialpad: A more AI-powered solution that s gaining popularity.
  • Vonage: A well-established player with a range of plans and features.
  • GoTo Connect (formerly Jive): Known for its ease of use and reliable service.
  • Ooma: A good option for smaller businesses with simpler needs.

• For Contact Center Focus:

  • Five9: A leading cloud contact center platform.
  • Genesys Cloud: Another robust contact center solution with advanced features.
  • Talkdesk: Focuses on customer experience and automation.
  • Nice CXone: Provides a comprehensive suite of contact center tools.

• For Team Collaboration:

  • Microsoft Teams: If your organization is already heavily invested in Microsoft 365, Teams is a natural choice for integrated communication and collaboration. Its calling features have improved significantly.
  • Slack: Primarily a messaging platform, but it integrates with many other communication tools.

• Open Source:

  • Asterisk: (Requires technical expertise to set up and manage)

Choosing an Alternative:

The best alternative for you depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical expertise. Consider these factors:

• Number of users: How many employees will be using the system?
• Features required: What specific features are essential for your business (e.g., call recording, CRM integration, advanced reporting)?
• Budget: What s your price range?
• Ease of use: How easy is the system to set up and manage?
• Customer support: What level of support do you need?
• Integrations: Does the system integrate with your existing business applications?
• Contact Center Requirements: If you need robust contact center capabilities, focus on alternatives specifically designed for that.

4. Pricing

• 8x8 offers various pricing plans, typically structured on a per-user, per-month basis.
• Factors Affecting Pricing:
  • Plan Level: Different plans offer different features and levels of support.
  • Number of Users: The more users you have, the higher the overall cost.
  • Contract Length: Longer-term contracts may offer discounts.
  • Add-ons: Optional features and services can increase the price.
• General Pricing Tiers (These are approximate; check the 8x8 website for current pricing):
  • Basic: Starts at a lower price point, suitable for basic VoIP needs.
  • Mid-Range: Includes more features, such as video conferencing and some integrations.
  • Advanced: Offers the most comprehensive features, including advanced contact center capabilities and analytics.
• Important: Contact 8x8 sales directly for a customized quote based on your specific requirements.

5. Customer Care Details

• Support Channels:
  • Phone Support: 8x8 provides phone support, but response times can vary.
  • Online Chat: Chat support is available, but can be inconsistent.
  • Email Support: Email support is available, but can be slow.
  • Knowledge Base: 8x8 has a comprehensive knowledge base with articles and FAQs.
  • Community Forum: A community forum where users can ask questions and share tips.
• Common Customer Support Issues:
  • Long Wait Times: Some users have reported long wait times for phone and chat support.
  • Difficulty Resolving Issues: Some users have experienced difficulty getting their issues resolved in a timely manner.
  • Confusing Documentation: Some users have found the documentation to be confusing or incomplete.
  • Inconsistent Support Quality: The quality of support can vary depending on the agent.
• Tips for Getting Better Support:
  • Prepare Information: Have your account information and a detailed description of the issue ready.
  • Use the Knowledge Base: Check the knowledge base before contacting support.
  • Be Patient: Be patient and polite when interacting with support agents.
  • Escalate if Necessary: If you re not getting the help you need, ask to escalate the issue to a supervisor.
• Checking Customer Reviews: It s always wise to check independent customer review sites like G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius to get a broader sense of customer satisfaction with 8x8 s support. Pay attention to patterns in the reviews.

In summary: 8x8 is a powerful unified communications platform with a wide range of features. However, its complexity and potential issues with customer support should be considered when evaluating whether it s the right solution for your business. Thoroughly research alternatives and get customized quotes before making a decision. Pay close attention to independent customer reviews about support experiences.