Hyperconnectivity in our digital era has significantly boosted the amount of communication taking place between companies and customers, but it hasn’t always been of the highest quality.
Many companies in Europe still face challenges to communicate effectively with customers on new channels, including live chat, social media, and chatbots.
What’s more, the use of third-party applications that facilitate communication pose challenges — including privacy issues — that make it more attractive for companies to build their own communications tools in-house. But of course, that’s not usually cost effective.
Creating real-time communication functions from scratch is quite complex, time-consuming, and costly. In the age of low-code/no-code, companies are popping up to help solve for this.
QuickBlox, a company with offices in the United States, United Kingdom and Europe, is one such tool. Their technology allows businesses of all sizes to create communication solutions quickly, securely, and affordably.
150Sec spoke to Nate MacLeitch, QuickBlox’s CEO, to tell us more about the challenges startups face creating their own communications tools, and the opportunities that now exist as technology keeps evolving.
150Sec: What sorts of business communications problems did you have in mind when you created this solution?
Nate MacLeitch: When we were building QuickBlox, we really wanted to solve some of the biggest headaches businesses were facing. The shift to remote work was huge, and we saw how tough it was for companies to keep everyone connected and productive. That’s where QuickBlox came from – providing those instant messaging, voice, and video tools to bridge that gap.
We also noticed that customers were getting impatient. They wanted answers and help right away — they didn’t want to wait for emails or phone calls. So, we made it possible for businesses to offer real-time support directly within their apps and websites. It’s about giving customers the experience they expect in today’s fast-paced world.
And let’s face it, security is a major concern, especially for industries like healthcare and finance. We wanted to build a platform that businesses could trust, so we focused on top-notch security features and flexible hosting options. We wanted to make sure our clients could protect their sensitive data while still enjoying the benefits of great communication tools.
Finally, we knew that one size doesn’t fit all. Businesses come in all shapes and sizes, with different needs. So, we built QuickBlox to be super adaptable. It can grow with a company and be customized to fit their exact requirements without a ton of technical hassle.
How does your platform improve efficiency and productivity compared to in-house developments?
Building communication tools from scratch is a huge undertaking. It takes a ton of time, money, and specialized skills. With QuickBlox, you skip all that.
Imagine having a suite of communication features ready to go, right out of the box. That’s what QuickBlox offers. You can customize them to match your brand, but you don’t have to start from scratch. And because we’ve been doing this for a while, we know what works and what doesn’t.
Plus, we offer pre-built solutions like Q-Consultation for video appointments. It’s like having a professional team build a custom tool for you, without the hefty price tag. So, not only do you save time and money, but you also get a product that’s already been tested and refined.
How is your platform integrated with the technological infrastructures already existing in companies?
We’ve designed QuickBlox to play nicely with others. It’s like inviting a new team member who gets along with everyone. Our platform works with a bunch of different technologies, so it’s easy to fit into your existing systems.
We’ve made it simple for developers to connect QuickBlox to their backend systems. It’s like building with Lego bricks – easy to put together. And if you need something more specific, we have tools to help you customize it to your exact needs.
Plus, we offer different ways to host the platform, so you can choose what works best for your company. It’s all about flexibility and making things easy for you.
How do you see the future of business communication and the role that your API will play in this?
The way we communicate is changing fast, and it’s super exciting. I think real-time connections will be even more important, especially as more people work remotely. QuickBlox is right there, helping businesses stay connected and collaborate seamlessly.
AI is going to be huge too. Imagine having smart assistants that can help with customer service or translate messages instantly. That’s the kind of stuff we’re working on. We want to make communication even smoother and more efficient.
And of course, security will always be a top priority. As technology evolves, so do the threats, so we’ll keep investing in security to protect our customers’ data.
Do you have plans to expand the functionality of your API or to develop new tools in the future?
Absolutely! We’re always looking for ways to improve. We’re excited about using AI to make communication even smarter. Imagine being able to translate messages in real-time or get instant summaries of meetings. That’s the kind of stuff we’re working on.
We also want to make it easier for people to manage their communications. We’re exploring tools that can help you organize your conversations and find information quickly.
Our goal is to stay ahead of the curve and provide our customers with the best possible communication tools. So, you can expect to see some really cool new features in the future.