Technology suppliers have been infusing artificial intelligence into every solution they sell for several years now, and collaboration technology is no exception. And 96% of SMBs that have used AI say intelligent tools can help streamline tasks.
Yet, even as vendors continue to build out their AI capabilities within collaboration solutions, many small and midsize businesses may not realize what their existing technology can already do. Take digital phone systems, for example: Solutions such as Dialpad and RingCentral have offered AI transcription options for years. Dialpad also received funding from Google to develop sentiment analysis that can automatically route calls to human agents if customers are frustrated or angry. In addition, these tools are often used to automatically schedule follow-up calls.
Here’s a look at some of the best AI options available in your collaboration tech right now:
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The AI Feature Roundup
Given the success of AI transcription in digital phone systems, video meeting transcription was the next logical step. Now, many collaboration platforms include features that let teams easily capture and transcribe data from multiple users simultaneously.
What businesses may not realize, however, is that AI features go beyond just listening and keeping notes. For example, Google Gemini can now intelligently reduce microphone feedback and make calls easier to hear. Microsoft Copilot, meanwhile, can answer questions about who said what during a meeting, and when they said it. Other platforms use AI to determine usage statistics; for example, how often is a specific conference room being used? How many people are typically on a call, and how long does the call last?
Analytics is also a large part of AI in collaboration tools. Sales teams can keep track of the meetings they’ve attended and their outcomes. Summarized transcriptions that highlight key concepts and repeated themes can determine if sales meetings are driving ROI or leading to deals that don’t close.
Either way, this is useful feedback. If sales teams are seeing success, they should double down on what they’re doing. If meetings aren’t creating conversions, it’s time to rethink the process.
Put simply, new AI features aren’t a complete overhaul of existing frameworks. Collaboration platforms aren’t trying to reinvent the generative AI wheel; they’re simply tweaking AI to solve specific use cases and make these tools more user-friendly.
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Making the Most of AI Features
According to research firm Gartner, the top AI priority for business leaders is creating value. In many cases, however, companies become so focused on what comes next that they ignore the value they’re already deriving from everyday AI use.
As a result, making the most of AI starts with SMBs identifying what tools they’re using, what benefits they offer, and where they can be most effectively applied. For example, businesses using tools like Copilot can easily record and transcribe meetings and pull key themes from these meetings.
UP NEXT: Four ways SMBs can use Copilot to achieve efficiency.
Next is understanding where AI investment makes sense. Again, consider Copilot: Paying for a business license lets SMBs leverage AI to find specific details in meeting notes or create daily schedules based on calendars, emails, direct messages and other data.
If you suspect you’re not fully capturing AI’s potential but don’t know where to start, schedule a discovery call with CDW’s AI experts. Let us help unlock your AI possibilities. Talk to an expert today.
This article is part of BizTech's AgilITy blog series.
