Ohiya Networks
Bettering Collaborations with Unified Communication Solutions

The moment you are seated in a Japanese restaurant, you will be greeted with a glass of water without having to ask. That is ‘ohiya’ for you—a touch of hospitality.

The U.S.-based Ohiya Networks has woven this beautiful tradition into the very fabric of its customer-centric business communication tools. Just like that glass of water, it believes in proactively serving clients even before they pinpoint the need.

How does Ohiya Networks do this?

It offers a cloud-based WebRTC platform with built-in AI that integrates various communication modes like video conferencing, text messaging and phone calls, and offers integrations with platforms like Slack and Teams, all within a single interface.

A range of businesses, including schools, colleges and universities, leverage the platform to streamline their remote operations, benefiting from its remarkable 99.99 percent uptime and high-speed connectivity, which are crucial for enhancing productivity and facilitating smoother collaboration.

Simplicity and user-friendliness characterize Ohiya Networks’ solutions. Recognizing the challenges posed by rapidly evolving technologies, the company positions itself as a mentor to its clients. It places a strong emphasis on making AI more accessible and comprehensible. This client-centric approach aids in breaking down technological barriers and fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of AI among users.

The Journey to Unified Communications

Ohiya Networks was conceived by Claudio Garcia, whose profound grasp of the challenges and triumphs faced by small and midsize enterprises ignited the spark.

He was soon joined by Clifford Arellano, COO, who brought a rich background from his time as a principal in public education. This fusion of educational insights and technological acumen significantly enhanced the company’s leadership, steering Ohiya Networks toward more innovative solutions. Its inception coincided with the rising trend of remote work during 2011 to 2022, a period marked by technological advancements and evolving work environments. During this period, Garcia and Arellano recognized the potential of WebRTC technology as a gateway for Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS). This foresight positioned them to address the broadening demand for secure, efficient communication channels.

The COVID-19 pandemic further heightened the relevance of Ohiya Networks’ solutions, particularly its virtual classroom tool. This innovation drew acclaim from both the private sector and educational institutions, highlighting the adaptability and practicality of the offerings.

From this surge in interest came the need for a user-friendly platform that could ease management woes, especially in resource-limited settings. This led to the company’s focus on reducing dependence on multiple software systems and carving its niche as an accessible, efficient communication solutions provider.

Amid a sea of options and the technology noise in the market, Ohiya Networks continues to distinguish itself by deeply understanding its customers’ unique processes and procedures. This allows the company to tailor solutions that not only meet but integrate seamlessly into the lifestyle and business needs of each client.

“We firmly believe in and adhere to a principle that guides our approach: It is not about what you can sell; it is about what you can support,” says Garcia, founder and CEO.

Multiple Functionalities in One Place

By integrating a multitude of platforms into a single, streamlined interface, Ohiya Networks’ platform is more than just a communication tool; it's a comprehensive solution for enhancing team collaboration.

We firmly believe in and adhere to a principle that guides our approach: It is not about what you can sell; it is about what you can support

The foremost advantage is creating a hub for unified communication. Bringing together video conferencing, text messaging, and phone calls into one integrated space eradicates the inefficiency of toggling between different applications, streamlining internal and external communication for a more connected and smoother workflow.

The interface also provides a panoramic view of all internal and external communication channels, enriched with vital metrics, historical messages, and real-time analytics. This comprehensive oversight empowers team leaders to manage communication flows with precision, ensuring prompt responses and thorough attention to all exchanges. This level of visibility and control is instrumental in maintaining the integrity of team interactions and in bolstering the decision-making process.

Complementing that, the integration with over 500 CRM systems, such as HubSpot and Salesforce, facilitates flawless customer interactions and streamlines the follow-up process.

The platform’s customer engagement is enriched with customizable web chat widgets. These widgets, which can be personalized to align with a company’s branding, act as a direct line of communication with clients and prospects, facilitating real-time interaction and support, and bolstering the overall customer service experience.

Ohiya Networks also facilitates effective team management. Users can access live analytics, organize contacts and employ multiple caller IDs. A notable feature is the map view, which enables users to visualize the locations of their teammates, making it easier to coordinate activities and meetings across various time zones and optimizing team productivity.

"Our platform has a lower learning curve, requires less support effort, and presents fewer technical challenges for people without prior experience"

The integration of AI-driven calendar settings represents another leap forward in the platform’s scheduling efficiency. This feature negates the necessity for external scheduling tools, as it syncs with personal calendars and streamlines the organization of events, which is essential for maintaining a cohesive team schedule.

All these features manifest in tangible benefits, evidenced by a potential 35 percent reduction in monthly communication costs and a project delivery time slashed by half. Moreover, the platform has been shown to significantly amplify web sales by up to 52 percent and boost operational efficiency by 25 percent in day-to-day activities.

Enhancing User Proficiency by Educating Customers

Large enterprises offering communication platforms often fall short of helping users fully understand and effectively utilize complex AI-based communication platforms. This lack of support from enterprises, which do not prioritize a customer-centric approach, inevitably leads to customer frustration.

In contrast, Ohiya Networks cultivates strong partnerships to work collaboratively with customers.

With a keen understanding of AI, it demystifies the technology for end users, making it both comprehensible and accessible. It focuses on enabling them to learn and effectively use its sophisticated tools and features, empowering them to grow their businesses.

Once Ohiya Networks partners with an organization, it engages directly with their administration to create a specialized and tailored staff or professional development program. This approach rises above the cookie-cutter solutions typically provided by larger companies.

“Our platform has a lower learning curve, requires less support effort, and presents fewer technical challenges for people without prior experience,” says Arellano. “This enables teams to focus more on their core tasks, like enhancing student learning, and less on learning new software or system upgrades.”

It offers virtual and on-site support to complement the training sessions, always in collaboration with the client’s administration. If there’s a specific team lead the organization wishes to train, Ohiya Networks offers high-level training to enrich their competency. It assures ongoing support throughout the contract term, where it can travel to a particular location whenever additional assistance is needed.

Along with extensive upfront training, Ohiya Networks provides hands-on customer support and continuous assistance with a reliable platform that requires minimal troubleshooting.

Accelerating Client Growth through Open Communication

In the rapidly evolving technological space, Ohiya Networks’ multifaceted platform is similar to a Swiss Army knife, offering versatile and dynamic solutions for every communication need.

Strong, transparent partnerships and open lines of communication form the secret sauce behind the company’s growth. This approach allows it to continuously adapt and refine its solutions and to guarantee they are always aligned with evolving client needs.

An example of this partnership is evident in a sign language school for deaf students struggling with verbal, visual and auditory communication methods. They became clients after discovering its solution offers features conducive to their needs. They recently approached it with additional requests to accommodate their upcoming expansion into a larger facility, intending to serve more students. Ohiya Networks is in the process of customizing new features to meet these evolving requirements.

Similar stories of collaboration and partnership cement Ohiya Networks’ position in the domain of digital communication. Expanding this reach, it has set sights on the Nevada and Florida markets, with a deep commitment to aiding the growth of small to midsize businesses. It is keen on partnering with visionary companies, and establishing strong partnerships that foster a synergy conducive to their expansion and success.

Upholding the spirit of collaboration, the company not only aims to chart a path for client advancements but redefine the landscape of digital communication with each step forward.