TPx Adds Text Messaging to Hosted UC Service

TPx, the managed services and connectivity provider, has added a new text-messaging feature to its UCx hosted UC service, which now includes 150,000 users nationally.

With the short message service (SMS) feature, a UCx user can receive an text message on their UCx phone number, and the inbound message automatically will appear in the UCx application (desktop or mobile) as a new chat conversation. Likewise, UCx users also can send text messages to their contacts through the UCx chat interface.

TPx’s Jim Delis

Jim Delis, TPx’s senior vice president of national partner channel development, tells Channel Partners that with the new feature, partners can sell a “true UC solution that enables their customers to use multiple methods of communication with a single business phone number.”

“Post-sale, it also gives the partner a quick and convenient way to communicate with customers,” he said. “They’ll like texting for service and support because they can go on about their day during the conversation. Not all UCaaS providers offer SMS messaging. And those that do aren’t able to match our 100 percent service level agreement (SLA) and 100 percent U.S.-based, 24/7 customer support.”

UCx text messaging is now available as a standard feature for user bundles at UCx Complete and above. In addition to voice service and text messaging, these user bundles also include advanced communications tools, such as instant messaging, screen sharing, video conferencing and availability status indicators.

“Half of all our business comes from the channel — and that number will grow as we continue our nationwide expansion,” Delis said. “Our partners played an important role in reaching this (user) milestone for our UCx service, and they’ll play an even more important role in the milestones to come in the future.”

Texting increasingly is being used for business to customer (B2C) and business to business (B2B) communications, according to TPx.

“SMS is an integral part of everyday life, and now it’s part of UCx, too,” said Jamie Minner, vice president and head of TPx’s UCx line of business. “You can use UCx to send a text message to anyone, regardless of whether they’re on UCx or not. It’s a powerful way to stay connected with customers, vendors and everyone else that matters to your business.”