In this episode of Remote First Innovators, Jake sit down with Cameron Bolinger of CytraCom — a leader in unified communications built for modern, distributed teams. From overnight phone-system migrations to the evolution of VoIP, AI, compliance, remote-work connectivity, and what it really takes to keep teams running smoothly, Cameron reveals how companies can stay connected without complication.

Whether you're scaling a distributed workforce, modernizing legacy phone systems, or navigating compliance and security in a digital world, this conversation offers valuable, real-world insight from someone who has lived it for over a decade.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome to Remote First Innovators

00:27 — Show introduction

00:45 — Guest intro: Cameron Bolinger

01:11 — The origins of CytraCom

01:35 — How CytraCom evolved from PBX to full unified communications

02:05 — Remote work adoption during COVID

03:13 — Voice, text, fax & collaboration under one platform

04:09 — Supporting remote and hybrid teams

04:31 — The role of hardware in remote connectivity

05:22 — 24/7 US-based support

06:08 — Work-life balance through smart routing

07:10 — Separating work and personal calls

08:12 — Texting vs calling: meeting modern preferences

09:02 — Shared inbox explained

09:53 — Industries that benefit most

10:20 — The overnight onboarding story

11:48 — Handling complex phone migrations

12:15 — Challenges with legacy phone systems

12:57 — Making cloud communication feel seamless

13:22 — How shared inbox was created

14:21 — Customer feedback shaping product roadmap

15:07 — Partner-driven support model

16:01 — VoIP vs UCaaS explained

16:27 — Will desk phones disappear?

17:43 — Deciding which tech innovations matter

18:11 — Why simplicity wins

18:34 — AI expectations vs practical value

19:38 — Where AI could truly help

20:01 — AI and the future of call centers

21:09 — Limitations of AI today

21:34 — Compliance and security in communication

22:01 — SOC2, HIPAA, PCI — how CytraCom handles sensitive data

22:29 — FOIA request success story

23:13 — Why fast response matters

23:33 — Spam calls & FCC texting rules

24:26 — Blocking spam across devices

25:02 — The 10DLC registration challenges

26:10 — Making compliance easier during onboarding

26:39 — What phone system switching feels like for users

27:35 — Adding users for seasonal or fast-growing teams

28:18 — Provisioning new users in hours

28:47 — Consistency across devices

29:23 — Desk phone call quality

29:41 — Ease of use

30:31 — Why CytraCom stands out for IT directors

31:15 — Month-to-month flexibility

31:39 — Hardware included at no additional cost

32:00 — US-based support

32:20 — Phone upgrade cycle

32:43 — Expanding beyond phones

33:07 — Control One: network management & SASE

33:52 — Telivy: vulnerability & AI usage scans

34:45 — Endorsements from partners

35:38 — Redundant data centers

36:10 — How calls stay online during outages

36:35 — Staying connected worldwide

37:00 — Cameron’s career arc: Dish → Gartner → CytraCom

38:36 — Discovering the tech industry

39:04 — Working in the channel

39:32 — Mentors who shaped Cameron’s career

40:19 — Lessons from early role models

41:34 — “We’re all just figuring it out.”

42:21 — Final reflections

43:12 — Closing thoughts and appreciation

44:12 — Outro and reminders

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