8×8 X Series Review, Plans & Special Offers

With X series, 8×8 covers both ends by providing product offerings starting with the very basic and cost-effective X1 version to a full-blown multi-functional call center offering.

8×8 gives tough competition to Intermedia and Vonage Business Cloud by pricing the basic X1 plan at just $15 per user per month. In this basic plan, 8×8 offers unlimited voice calling, call handling, and support for multi-site and multi-level auto-attendants. Value service at such a great price can attract more SMBs to 8×8 for sure.

X2 level is priced at $25 per user per month and apart from including all the features from the basic X1 plan, X2 includes unlimited calling to 14 countries. It also has video and audio conferencing options available. Above that, a list of integrations with really useful small business and enterprise applications is also there.

For call centers, 8×8 has an X6 plan at $115 per user per month, with tons of advanced features including skills-based call routing, IVR, call recording, customer relationship management (CRM), detailed analytics, and journey mapping.

Ease of doing tasks with 8×8

8×8 has created a portal with documentation of all its APIs providing access to SMS, video, and analytics. You can generate a mobile verification text message using any application with the help of their SMS API. They are supporting the creation and administration of survey campaigns via text messaging. They also support Jitsi, an open-source project for building secure video conferencing tools.

There are some services available like Sameroom, with its help you can connect your 8×8 team messaging with Slack or Telegram. So by integrating both of them you can experience seamless messaging without using multiple apps and no need to log in to them separately. Such a connection point is known as a tube and it connects 8×8 messaging with a third-party system to establish and store credentials for later, which will get securely stored in your work app.

Admin Console Feature

We can perform all administration functions through the Admin Console. Specific tasks are grouped under the headings of Setup, Phone System, and Workgroups. A hyperlinked Help Center takes you directly to frequently used topics and includes a search box if you can’t find what you’re looking for. This presentation simplifies the performance of routine tasks and provides quick access to help if you need it. The web-based administration really shines by easing the burden on administrators.

Many options are available to message users and sites. 8×8 also provides CSV import capability.

Features like call queues which are the first-time setup of features utilize a guided approach and lead you through the process. You can go to the 8×8 documentation site to see the description of how the call queues work and how you can set them up for your company. You will find default information in the required field on each page presented. You will get a second chance if you miss a required field.

8×8 provides detailed analysis showing the number of incoming and outgoing calls, as well as from one extension to another. A call summary graph shows all call activity with an interactive pop-up window that displays information in the bar below the cursor. Analytics for 8×8 Work appears as an option when you log in to the main portal. Once the application starts, you have access to a wide range of analytics in multiple areas, including calls, devices, meetings, as well as call queues and ring groups.

Desktop Client Features

The 8×8 desktop client’s name is Work. It supports a variety of Windows and iOS versions. Users can download and use the one compatible with their system. It has a clean look and you can control all from the central interface from voice calling, message retrieval, meetings, and more. It is easy to start a meeting and just takes a few clicks either on the desktop or mobile client. You can also listen to the message and the text which gets converted with the help of their transcription service.

Contact Management

Contact management is an essential and vital part of any communication solution. 8×8 allows users to import contacts from both Microsoft Outlook and Google Contacts directly from the desktop client. While doing the review, we faced an authentication problem while importing from Google. Also, if you want to make any changes in the contact then you will have to go to the source application and make changes.

In-call Features

Running through 8×8 is very smooth. 8×8 supports many advanced features such as barging, monitoring, and whispering. With the help of these features, a third party can monitor or barge into a call. This feature is used in many call centers, where a supervisor needs to monitor multiple employees. With the help of the barge feature, you can secretly screen an employee’s calls and also inform the boss without interrupting the ongoing conversation.

The Switchboard app is a web-based interface provider with all the typical switchboard operating functions. Once you select a specific use the operation can place, transfer or park a call plus send an incoming call to voicemail. You can also attach a note to the user that appears in the switchboard area. You can also send a text message by clicking the message icon.

FAQs

Does the 8×8 provide flexible pricing options depending upon the business needs?
Yes, the 8×8 X series has many variants to choose from. It has options that can be suitable for SMBs as well as full-blown call centers.

How can we easily import contacts in the 8×8?
We can import contacts from both Microsoft Outlook and Google Contacts directly from the desktop client.

Which are the most advanced voice features I will get with the 8×8?
8×8 supports many advanced voice features like barge, monitor, and whisper.

About 8×8

8×8 is transforming the future of business communications as a leading provider of software-as-a-service voice, video, chat, contact center, and enterprise-class API solutions powered by one global cloud communications platform. 8×8 enables workforces around the world to connect people and teams so they can collaborate faster and work smarter.

• The name “8×8” refers to the number of video pixels or dots of light, that is used as the basic building block in many image compression and video transformation functions.
• Chi-Shin Wang and Dr. Y.W. Sing founded 8×8 in 1987 and named it Integrated Information Technology. First, they focused on the development of multimedia semiconductors, embedded firmware, and software.
• Integrated Information Technology changed its name to 8×8 in 1996. This was done to reflect a new emphasis on programmable solutions for the video conferencing market.