ViWo stresses integration cloud applications approach
Los Angeles-based managed service provider ViWo has assisted close to 3,000 businesses with their cloud computing migrations. Its primary value proposition: an integrated Microsoft Exchange alternative based on Google Apps, Zoho CRM and its own unified communications service called gUnify.
"People aren't going to pay money for mail services anymore," said Crisantos Hajibrahim, founder of ViWo, which is often called in for cloud consulting conversations as a company's on-premises software licenses are nearing expiration. "CRM components are essential for these solutions."
The main drivers for ViWo customers are saving money and supporting mobile workforces, according to Hajibrahim. The latter motivation, in particular, is driving more companies to consider cloud-hosted VoIP services that integrate with Google Apps — a competitive approach to the one proposed by the Microsoft Lync solution, he said.
That was the genesis for gUnify, a unified communications service offered by ViWo's sister company of the same name. The service, priced at $39.95 per user, per month:
- Google Apps for Business
- Cloud-hosted VoIP PBX services from Broadsoft
- An optional integrated voice response system
- Calling logging that can be tied to the Zoho, Apptivo, Clio or Salesforce CRM services
- Video to video calling
- Advanced routing
- Mobile integration
ViWo's preferred CRM integration centers on Zoho, so gUnify was spun out so that it can be tied into solutions that focus on other cloud CRM services.
Because many companies consider their cloud options on a last-minute basis, a large number of the migrations ViWo handles are relatively quick in IT terms. ViWo will handle many migrations, within four months, depending on whether they transfer off their existing solutions all at once or ease users into the cloud gradually.