Nextiva is a business communications platform that includes a VoIP solution, CRM software, BI software, cloud storage, phone and device rentals, email marketing automation software, and a contact center solution. These products can be purchased individually or together.
$18.95
per month
Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams
Score 7.5 out of 10
N/A
Skype for Business was an online messaging and conferencing tool, now superseded by Microsoft Teams.
We have had great service with Nextiva Business Phone Service and it is reliable and reasonably priced for the offered features. User Friendly and minimal issues. We are able to control most of the set up for new users and or new phones when needed. Only would like to see the app - Nextiva One be enhanced with more features than it currently has.
Skype is useful for collaborations across distances, including work from home, as well as a more convenient way to communicate with a large group of people. Skype is also useful to communicate with specific parties quickly, rather than relying on cellular service in areas where not as available. Skype is less useful if the team does not use computers , tablets, smartphones, etc in daily workflow as it would rarely be used.
Instant messaging to anyone who we know only by name/email. Even if they're offline, they get the message in missed convos and a notification automatically goes to them via Outlook mail. All conversations are saved and accessible via Outlook.
Video and voice calls are a norm in the WFH scenario, and an average employee has around 4-5 calls a day. Skype gives notifications for upcoming meetings, allows easy scheduling via outlook calendar, and its audio/video quality [is] reasonably good compared to the amount of data it consumes.
Status availabilities - in the WFH scenario, you could be off for lunch, out of office, busy, sharing screens - and might not want to be disturbed. Skype allows you to do that, and in case you're off, ensures that you know that you have missed messages.
Screen sharing - we have to share screens at least once or twice a day with a coworker when working on some issues/features, and Skype easily lets us do that. One of the best things about Skype is that the screen can be shared without being on a video/voice call - which is of immense advantage because oftentimes, you could prefer sharing the screen, while it [is] too noisy to talk.
The use of two apps when you're a supervisor. We have to use Unity and the Nextiva app instead of one app. It can be cumbersome.
Better integration with CRM's. We use Zendesk and it works ok as it does pull up customer records if we have their phone number on file. But it would be better if we could have more functionality from one place and have it write to the CRM directly.
Accept higher quality audio for greeting recordings. We had to trim the file size down several times losing a lot of audio quality in the process. Mono is fine since callers will only need to hear the one channel. But the Hz limit and file size limit were rough.
Probably the biggest area is the video element as it has historically struggled in this area.
The need to be forced to federate with another organisation by providing yours and enabling the other organisation settings is a bit tedious but once done, allows for simple collaboration between third-parties.
Functionality wise, as it's an older product and being superseded by MS Teams, it feels as if it's run its course but was very good for what it does/did at the time.
Its user friendly, easy to use and has been very reliable. We have nothing but good things to say about our service with Nextiva Business Phone Service. When needed their support team has always resolved any and all issues one way or another. They have been helpful, knowledgeable and very friendly. The features vs the cost is wonderful compared to other service providers.
The software is simple to install and configure. It is rather simple to explain for correct use. It is possible to profile users for the different functions offered. It is integrated quite completely with Outlook and with Active Directory security. It performs all communication functions well with one or more interlocutors and the possibility of granting control of your computer is convenient.
Nextiva Business Phone Service system is very usable. We have desk phones, that were included at no cost. The function just as one would expect from an office phone system. I can also answer my calls from my PC and even on my cell phone if I have to leave the office.
Very easy to use. Even though Microsoft Teams has a lot of features and integrations, as a user I feel completely comfortable on finding what I need, getting information about the app extensions and using them. It's a very comprehensive tool, intuitive design and does not make me feel tired to be using it. I am glad with the current experience.
Support is great. We usually get someone on the phone; they answer our questions and help us with our issues. They are responsive when we call, and there is also a wealth of information on their online help center, which will typically answer our question or send us in the right direction.
I have only had to reach out to the Support team at Skype for Business once with an issue, and I was pleasantly surprised and encouraged by the quickness and thoroughness of their response. The wait time was short and my question was dealt with politely and clearly, so I would say the support team has it together.
No was done by Agency Owner and was done with the help of Nextiva Support and Sales team. Went very well and has been working great since then. Was originally only two phones and then we continue to add to that. We did not have any reported issues and was a great experience for our Agency and Small Business.
Skpe for business is utilized company wide in regards to my company. Everyone not only uses it, but uses it often. It is an effective way of communicating. It also integrates very nicely with outlook and all conversation history is pushed to a folder within the outlook system. We also have it so that if someone misses a message, they are sent an email reminder saying that there is a message that went unread.
We switched for better uptime, ease of use, and better tech support and got all that from Nextiva. We were constantly losing connection with our previous provider, a package service for internet and phone. The web portal is much easier to use, and the call center offers many more features.
For the below reason I will always choose this app over its competitors: Better audio and video quality, Little to no disconnections or freezing when on a call/video conference Integrates well with mailbox/ calendar/ one drive, and SharePoint is easy to use
ROI - we are saving money, a lot of money, and we have a MUCH better phone system
Consolidation - we migrated 6 different phone systems in 6 different counties into one, and it's been wonderful!
Management - managing this system is so much better than Mitel, Panasonic, and any other system I have used. We are able to assign rights to certain staff to also make changes, and it's user friendly and almost fool proof.
We almost lost our biggest client because of the poor performance early on in our implementation...the online meetings were poor quality for audio and bandwidth refreshing
Many of the employees in our company disliked the quality so much, they started to sign up for free Cisco WebEx accounts to use instead
The majority of employees in our company lost trust in our CTO because of his decision to switch from Cisco WebEx to Skype for Business
