Company Overview
8x8 was founded in 1987 as a company called Integrated Information Technology Inc. (IIT). The original business model was centered on vending semiconductors and other essential computing products. Naturally, in an industry that has evolved so much over the years, the leaders at 8x8 have actively sought new ways to innovate.
The company moved into the videoconferencing market very quickly by producing various software, hardware, and other products necessary to creating videoconferences. After establishing itself successfully as an industry staple, the company decided to list itself on the NASDAQ in 1997. Eventually, it would transfer from the NASDAQ to the NYSE and is traded using the ticker symbol EGHT.
Since 2002, VoIP service has been 8x8’s primary area. Highlights of the company’s efforts include being the first to offer replacement E-911 services, accepting 200,000 customers who were left by SunRocket upon liquidation, and earning more than 125 patents over time. The company has established itself as a clear industry innovator. And as of 2014, 8x8 has provided more than 40,000 businesses with VoIP services.
Providing Solutions
As stated on their website, the products they provide can be described as “when unified communications in the cloud meets collaboration and contact center in the cloud.” What seems to separate 8x8 from its competitors in the VoIP industry, is that they don’t rely on previous infrastructure models. 8x8 has continued to commit itself to finding new ways to link cloud and VoIP technologies.
On the website, the company’s underlying mission is described with three simple and important points of unification:
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One system of intelligence for learning and improving
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One system of engagement to manage all employee and customer interactions
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One integrated experience for fast, efficient employee and customer collaboration
By committing itself to this united model of communications, 8x8 wants to establish a system in which companies can adapt to an ever-changing world.
Current Product Offerings
8x8 has several product offerings that are designed to cater to small, medium, and large businesses. When it comes to cloud VoIP services, they currently have three service plans available. The differences are their cost, their features, and the kind of businesses they were made to serve.
The first plan is the most basic. It is referred to as Virtual Office X2 Edition. This plan costs about $25 per month. The X2 edition was designed to give you “essential communication capabilities.”
The mid-sized plan is called Virtual Office X5 Edition, and it costs $35 per month. The difference between the X2 and the X5 is that the X5 is able to operate on a much larger scale.
And the last one is the most exclusive plan that 8x8 offers. It’s called the Virtual Office X8 Edition. This plan is $55 per month, making it quite a bit more than the other two. The company described this option as the “ideal choice for users that want it all.”
Which Product is Right for YOU?
The X2, X5, and X8 are great options. You’ll have to choose one based on your specific needs and budget. Keep in mind the storage capacities for each of them (1 GB, 5 GB, & 10 GB).
In conclusion, 8x8 is an innovative VoIP service provider that can meet the needs of most companies.