Everything your company needs to know about SMART SPEAKERS

Voice searches on smart speakers are growing quickly and are likely to keep increasing in the next few years. As per ComScore, by 2020, half of all searches will be performed using voice. What is the reason for this? Clearly, smart speakers play an important role, so what are they and how can they help businesses?

Smart Speakers: What are they?

Smart speakers are basically wireless speakers that have voice control built in. In recent times, major players in the internet industry have introduced their own voice-activated smart speakers, led by Amazon Echo and Google Home. These gadgets are becoming an essential part of everyday life for many people. Leading research company Gartner estimates that by 2020, 30% of all searches will be done without a screen, which will clearly affect businesses.

Smart speakers and business?

Technology keeps improving each day, getting faster and more intelligent, so companies must adapt swiftly. Around 72% of households that own a smart speaker use it every day; these devices should be taken seriously. With a rise in voice searches anticipated, businesses must examine their plans and make changes before they fall behind. Technology waits for no one.

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How can companies use this technology? The main purpose of these devices is to boost productivity. At the moment, only Amazon provides a special service for businesses called «Alexa for Business.» Amazon started offering this service in the United States last year, and it’s currently available only in English. However, it won’t be long until this service expands globally and reaches the EU in additional languages. Other tech leaders like Google will likely follow and introduce their own business-focused smart speakers.

What is Alexa for Business?

Alexa for business adds to what is already available with Alexa. Alexa for business allows you to use multiple devices and integrate them into the workplace either as shared devices in common areas or conference rooms, or to enroll users, using their personal devices. The main goal of Alexa for Business is to increase productivity and create a natural way for people to interact with the technology they use every day. It doesn’t just give you the ability to place multiple devices in the office. It has a high level of security and manageability model and also has the ability to configure hundreds or thousands of devices without having to configure them individually.

Alexa for business uses information about devices, user accounts and skills in the company. These are all stored in your Alexa for Business account, and the skills can be pre-programmed, or you can create custom voice skills in the Alexa Skills Kit and Alexa for Business API, which can be made available as private skills for your business.

Why should you use Alexa for Business and how?

– Shared devices

Anyone can access shared devices, and they are not linked to personal Alexa accounts. You can choose which skills can be used on which devices, and these can be used in a variety of ways. In the conference room you can start and end meetings, control conference room settings, and even book conference rooms using your voice. No need for remote controls, no searching for information on conference calls and joining meetings. It can all be done by simply saying “Alexa start my meeting” or “Alexa turn off the projector”. It can help you manage your workplace more efficiently by creating a weekly briefing, ordering new supplies, notifying IT of IT problems, on-the-job training, etc.

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– Registered users

Users can use their personal Alexa devices for work, at their desk, or at home. Through the Alexa for Business registration portal, users can register their devices to join their company’s Alexa for Business account. They can also use shared devices, but they can only access the skills available on those devices and not those enabled in their personal Alexa accounts. You can assign the skills they need access to and place them around the office.

– Virtual assistant

Alexa for Business can perform various tasks; Query databases and reports, access your latest sales data, check inventory in warehouses, track to-do lists, set reminders, participate in conference calls, etc. It also has a smart scheduling assistant, which can connect your work and personal calendars, check the schedule of upcoming appointments, change or cancel a meeting. For example, if you want to schedule a meeting with your CFO, you can tell Alexa for Business and it will find times that work for both of you, schedule it, and invite the other person to join the meeting. All in a few seconds and without lifting a finger.

– THE client and smart speakers

We also need to look at how customers use these devices. They are used more frequently and by more people every day. With these devices it is possible to carry out internet searches, online purchases and even live chats, which is why it is vital that businesses familiarize themselves with and adapt to them.

Recordia and smart speakers

Here at Comunycarse, our Recordia solution can be integrated with the use of these devices. How is it possible to do this? Recordia can be tailored to a company’s individual needs and is fully compliant with MiFID II and GDPR.

As customers begin using these smart speakers alongside phone calls, businesses will need to adapt. Recordia can help facilitate this with ease. Recordia’s voice analytics and machine learning allow you to analyze interactions, spot trends and will help improve the user experience. Call recording and communications monitor real-time interactions between employees and customers, can detect and improve customer service weaknesses, and help improve your team’s communication skills.

If there is a conference call, organized via Alexa for Business or another smart speaker and you are unable to join, Recordia can record and archive this call and you can catch up on what you missed without having to disturb colleagues.