From dummies to directors: An Alexa for Business cheat sheet
You’ve heard of Alexa, the voice service that powers Amazon Echo, Amazon Dot and several other compatible devices. Now, imagine your entire business being controlled by a handy set of commands — that’s Alexa for Business in a nutshell! You can use this helpful voice interface to order items, access reports and even check in on company metrics all while keeping your hands free and your eyes focused on the task at hand. In this guide we’ll give you an overview of Alexa for Business, including how to enable it on your device and setting up voice control commands.
Getting Started
In order to get started with your new Amazon Echo device and Alexa app, follow these few steps.
- First, sign in using the same Amazon account you used when you purchased the device.
- Next, open the Alexa app.
- Tap on Skills and search for any skills you’d like your Echo device to have access to.
Connectivity Options
To work best with your business, you’ll need the right type of device.
The Amazon Echo is an all-in-one voice control device that offers a hands-free way to control your smart home, entertainment system and more with just the power of your voice. The Echo Plus also features a built-in hub for easy setup.
The Amazon Tap is a portable Bluetooth speaker that can be taken anywhere in your home or office.
Programming Skills
If you are new to programming, the first step is understanding the fundamentals. There are many resources on the internet that can help you get started with Python and other languages like Java, C++, or Node. The second step is choosing a popular framework like Django or Flask. As you become more experienced in programming, it may be worth taking a course on algorithms and data structures. Finally, if you are looking for more intermediate-level content, check out Coursera’s Algorithmic Toolbox.
Custom Domains
If you use a custom domain name, it will be hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). If not, the domain name is sent to CloudFront. We recommend using a custom domain name because of the added security and control. You also get a specific DNS address that’s easier to remember. If you don’t have one, we’ve created three different options for adding your own domain names
- Use an existing AWS subdomain such as docs.example
- Setup redirects from your existing domain name or create CNAME records in DNS pointing to our domains
- Connect your AWS account with your existing hosting provider (1)
Brand Awareness
The Amazon Echo and its related devices, like the Echo Dot, are designed to help make life easier. Not only does it allow you to place orders from various retailers using your voice, but it also lets you set alarms, listen to music, and control smart home devices. With a little bit of know-how about how the device works and what it can do for you in your business environment, you’ll be able to take advantage of all of its capabilities.
Managed Services with AWS Lambda
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2)
- Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)
- Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS)
- Amazon Route 53
- Amazon SES
