The importance of excellent customer service cannot be overstated—all it takes is one bad experience for customers to stop using your brand. However, while every organization needs customer communication tools, not all businesses can afford them or the time investment needed to hire engineers to build their own infrastructure. Instead, businesses can leverage  application programming interfaces (APIs) that connect their customer service channels and systems to a fully hosted and managed communications platform that provides everything they need to deliver exceptional customer experiences.

8x8 Communication APIs are designed to help you build omnichannel communications and create personalized and consistent customer interactions—in a simpler, more affordable, and powerful way.

In fact, we have introduced new features to further enhance your experience with 8x8 Communication APIs, so that your customer service teams can do more in less time, and focus on building better customer experiences.

8x8 Connect and 8x8 Converse: Sync contacts using Contacts API

If your teams are using 8x8 Connect to run multi-channel campaigns while having two-way conversations with customers on 8x8 Converse, you’ll be pleased to know that we’ve introduced a new Contacts API.

The Contacts API syncs contacts automatically across 8x8 Connect and 8x8 Converse, as well as on any existing integrated CRM platforms, such as HubSpot, Zoho, Salesforce, and more. This allows you to identify and update contacts accurately and efficiently, at the same time eliminating the hassle of manually exporting and importing contacts files. Additionally, a new contact grouping function makes it easy for users to segment contacts for highly-targeted campaigns from the get-go.

Here’s a bonus: we have also introduced a singular user interface for the management of contacts across 8x8 Connect and 8x8 Converse, which enables users with less technical expertise to also enjoy the benefits of the new feature.

To learn more, watch the demo.

8x8 Connect updates for better productivity

8x8 Connect Automation Builder: Additional workflow templates

We understand that not all businesses have developer teams or can afford to spend hours on coding. That’s why we recently launched the 8x8 Connect Automation Builder, a no-code, drag-and-drop visual builder to automate communication workflows. With the latest addition of Voice Messaging and Out-of-Office templates, you can now design meaningful, contextualized interactions across different communication channels—all from a single platform.

8x8 Connect Screenshot

Comprehensive analytics for WhatsApp conversations

With the WhatsApp Business Pricing change in February 2022, the Chat Apps dashboard on 8x8 Connect has been updated with metrics for WhatsApp business-initiated and customer-initiated messages, giving you more insights into your conversations. The user experience when navigating the dashboard has also been improved.

Analytics of WhatsApp Conversations

Streamlined, self-service account onboarding for chat apps

Users can now onboard, integrate, and start using different chat apps themselves directly through 8x8 Connect without enlisting the help of an account manager. With a live integration process, you will be able to start using the chat app immediately once user access has been approved by the chat app partner (e.g., Viber, WeChat, Facebook, etc.). To learn more, watch the demo.

MS Azure SSO fully supported

MS Azure Active Directory single sign-on is now fully supported on 8x8 Connect, providing a streamlined sign-in experience for users, enhanced security, and efficient identity and access management.

Chat Apps: Outbound Zalo notifications

Users can now send Zalo notifications to customers using pre-approved templates available via our Chat Apps API. Notifications can include booking confirmations, transaction alerts, or payment reminders. This allows businesses to communicate directly with Vietnamese prospects without requiring them to follow their Zalo-verified official account, allowing them to reach a wider audience.

Jitsi as a Service: Enhanced user experience

Optimized meeting layout

With our new update, the video layout in the 8x8 Jitsi meeting interface is dynamically adjusted, and the participant's face is centered for an optimal meeting experience based on screen resolution and size. Participants can also resize the film strip based on their preferences.

Screenshot of using Jitsi as a Service to optimize meeting layout

Driver mode for meetings

Users can enable driving mode for an enhanced mobile app interface, built to ensure a safer meeting experience while on the road.

Let’s scale customer engagement together

We are constantly improving our platform and products, so your teams can scale and improve your customer experience. With customizable features and easy implementation, 8x8 Communication APIs can help businesses to engage customers while streamlining internal workflows, all at a fraction of the cost of an on-premises system.

Learn more about 8x8 Communication APIs for your business needs.