Now more than ever, companies are relying on the cloud for business continuity. Since the pandemic, the shift to more flexible communication stacks has accelerated, with everyone now spending more time in channels like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and GoToMeeting.
Of course, it’s not just meeting technology that today’s business leaders need to stay ahead of the curve. We also need a powerful way to maintain scalable voice conversations too. That’s why leading solutions like Zoom Phone and GoToConnect have emerged to make staying connected simple.
GoToConnect, powered by Jive ensures you can access business calls anywhere, in the same environment where you may already be hosting meetings, webinars, and other digital conversations. Similarly, Zoom Phone builds on the rising success of the Zoom platform for digital collaboration via video and webinar presentations.
Let’s take a closer look at each service.
GoToConnect Calling Features
Powered by Jive, GoToConnect is the cloud calling environment for the “GoTo” portfolio of products, including GoToMeeting and GoToWebinar. The solution provides a variety of ways for business leaders to make the transition into the cloud environment. Just like with Zoom, you can transfer your existing numbers to Zoom, and access the functionality of your software system from over 180 phone model integrations.
GoToConnect makes taking your business into the cloud easier than ever, with a consistent cloud-based environment tshat remains easy to use on any environment. Everything is built with the user in mind, from the professional one-click call to video transition, to the wide range of admin tools needed for peace of mind, features include:
- Call forwarding, filtering, and hold
- Call routing
- Cloud PBX
- Dial-by-name directory
- Phone number extensions, toll-free and vanity numbers
- Custom messages and greetings
- Auto attendants
- Hot desking
- Virtual faxing
- Number porting
- Conference calls and conference bridge technology
- HD video conferencing and screen sharing
- Video conferencing equipment and conference room systems
- Call monitoring
- Business call management
- Analytics and insights
- Integration with tools like Slack and Salesforce
- Access to over 180 desk phone options
- Mobile softphone apps
- Instant call to video transition
- Scheduling and calendar integration
- Call flow visual interface
- Call routing schedules
GoToConnect promises users everything they need to succeed in the new age of communication, from day-to-day analytics which help you keep track of how your employees are collaborating and communicating, to intelligent call routing schedules so you can ensure you’re making the most out of your opening hours.
Zoom Phone Features
Zoom Phone is quickly taking the modern workforce by storm. In 2021, the company celebrated winning 1.5 million seats for its telephony solution, thanks in part to the rapid increase in demand for Zoom in the years surrounding the pandemic. Zoom first appeared on the communication scene as a simple solution for video conferencing.
Today, Zoom has a complete UCaaS solution to offer, robust enough to earn a “Leader” position on the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for UCaaS. Zoom Phone is a component of that UCaaS offering, available either as a standalone solution, or alongside other tools like Zoom Meetings and Chat, as part of the “United” plan. Here’s what you can expect from Zoom Phone:
- Complete enterprise phone system
- Centralized management with access controls
- Secure HD phone calls over Wi-Fi and cellular data
- Single unified app for video, voice and messaging
- Intelligent call routing and management
- Automated and on-demand call recording
- Shared line and delegation
- Interoperability with standards-based endpoints
- Auto-attendant and IVR
- Admin call delegation
- Configurable caller ID
- Global call routing
- Music on hold
- Mobile and desktop app
- Native integrations with tools like Salesforce
- Dial by name
- Voicemail with transcription
- Phone number porting and bring your own carrier
- Monitor, whisper, barge, and takeover
- Quality dashboards
- Single sign-on
Zoom Phone’s comprehensive selection of features includes everything you’d expect from a standard UCaaS solution, including presence features, device management, auto attendants and quality dashboards. There are also a handful of features intended to make your tech stack more manageable too. For instance, you can take your own number and existing carrier with you into the cloud.
Zoom Phone also supports integrations with leading hardware manufacturers like Jabra, Ribbon, Poly, AudioCodes, Logitech, and many others, with the option to build entire Zoom Rooms for meetings.
GoToConnect vs Zoom Phone: Which is Best?
Both GoToConnect and Zoom Phone offer a flexible way for business leaders to enter the cloud communication landscape. With both services, you can bring your existing numbers into the cloud service, so you don’t have to start building a connection with customers again from scratch. However, Zoom Phone does offer Bring Your Own Carrier too.
Both services also come with a range of ways to manage and make the most of your calls. While Zoom might be better-known for video than calling, there’s no shortage of ways to communicate effectively with customers around the world through the virtual PBX. You can easily access local and international numbers, create custom integrations within your environment, and consolidate your carriers and systems into a single platform.
With Zoom Phone, your team will have comprehensive control over how, when, and where they make and receive phone calls, with customizable dashboards, and you can easily accelerate a call to a video conversation or conference. There’s even secure call recording too.
GoToConnect also simplifies the calling environment, with unique features like a Dial plan editor, so you can get a more consistent view of your customized call flows, and pinpoint potential challenges. You can set up call routing schedules based on when your office open and check your daily analytics for insights into what’s working for your team.
Aside from a host of standard calling features, GoToConnect also offers ways to enhance your environment with access to GoTo APIs, and integrations with more than 55 popular tools. You’ll also have the added benefit of 24/7 customer service and a 99.99% uptime guarantee with GoTo.
Zoom Phone vs GoToConnect: Verdict
If you’re building a video-first ecosystem for communication and collaboration, but you also want the freedom of enterprise calling in the cloud, Zoom is an excellent choice. You can access global communication with this service, a fantastic level of security, and access to all the features you need to keep your teams productive. API access and integrations are an added bonus for flexibility.
If you need a business phone solution built around years of experience in the VoIP market, GoToConnect gives you sensational uptime, powerful calling features, and award-winning support. The dialling visual builder is great for boosting efficiency too.
