What is Unified Communications as a service (UCAAS)
UCaaS describes a cloud-based platform that unifies and integrates a company’s communication systems, both internally and externally. This means that a company can sign up for UCaaS and get all the communications services they need in one solution without investing in the traditional telephonic infrastructure or managing it internally. The process involves moving much of your data processing to the cloud, enhancing efficiency, data storage, security, and disaster preparedness.
Unified Communications as a Service should include:
- Voice (Telephone)
- Fax
- Instant messaging
- Video conferencing
- File sharing
- Messaging
- Contact management
These capabilities must be available to employees who are both office-based and home-based or catching up on emails on the commuter train.
Unified communications are constantly evolving because of new technological advancements in the UC landscape. For example, the first UCaaS platform combined tools like messaging, email, voice, and fax all in one.. However, UCaaS now integrates video conferencing and advanced collaboration tools into the system, offering everything a business needs for efficient and effective communication.
All a user needs to access their UCaaS account is an Internet connection and a preferred device.
How UCaaS Works
A unified communications solution comprises client and server-side components supported by multiple back-end systems or platforms to allow for integrations.
With UCaaS being cloud-based, it eliminates the need for costly hardware and software upgrades that are featured heavily in older in-house communications infrastructure models. However, with UCaaS, you don’t have to hire any IT technicians to install additional VoIP servers, and there is no need for extra phone lines that may require regular maintenance or configurations.
In contrast, UCaaS is cloud-based and supported by your UCaaS provider.
A Better User Experience
Employees can access company and client information and communicate with colleagues from any device, wherever they are. This improves productivity, boosts flexibility, and simplifies IT management.
Better Collaboration
UCaaS applications allow employees to connect, share files and work together in real-time using desktop sharing features. This helps them complete projects faster and more efficiently, no matter where they’re located. Team members can also switch between their digital toolset seamlessly.
Streamlined IT Management
UCaaS solutions are easy to set up and manage. They require little or no hardware, ensuring fewer maintenance headaches for your customer’s IT department. They also simplify software updates by eliminating the need for on-premise servers or other hardware. UCaaS providers will manage updates and upgrades automatically.
Promotes Remote and Mobile Working
UCaaS subscription service has provided many organizations with a dynamic and flexible way to improve productivity by allowing employees to work remotely or hybrid. Employees can access the network from anywhere they have an Internet connection. And with SASE (Secure Access Service Edge), companies ensure their data is safe and remote employees have a good connection experience to enhance productivity.
Remote working, which was brought to the forefront due to the COVID-19 pandemic, proved that employees could deliver while working remotely or in a hybrid setting. Remote working has also permitted companies to have global representation without the need for brick-and-mortar locations. UCaaS allows this work method to thrive while keeping communication streamlined and effective.
Scalability
UCaaS gives you the power to help your customers tap into new communication tools and technologies to match their needs. As their business evolves, they can implement new services and solutions on the same platform. They can add, remove, or update applications and telephony resources. They can also grant or deny access to users while monitoring and analyzing activities and functionality on the platform.
Because the network is in the cloud, any addition or removal of features, users or locations can be done near instantly with no equipment purchases or onsite technical support.
Security
UCaaS ensures that your customer’s data is protected by offering features like end-to-end encryption for communication channels, protected data centers, and fraud detection and prevention services. SASE provides an extra layer of security to remote workers who may access critical business systems from public WiFi or unprotected devices.
Increased Productivity
Since UCaaS integrates all the tools in one platform, employees can access the technology they need to collaborate and communicate on the same platform. This also means they can spend more time being productive rather than moving from one app to another or experiencing connectivity issues.
Affordability
UCaaS offers advanced functionality without the need for the addition of any expensive infrastructure, helping customers and resellers save on costly hardware and physical space to store hardware. As the solution is cloud-based, there’s no need to hire technicians to maintain the IT infrastructure. And you don’t have to, either. Your reseller partner will take care of it in the cloud.
UCaaS integration supports many business applications such as customer support, customer relationship management platforms (CRMs), and data storage and management. Voice integration with business apps is critical in business as it promotes growth and productivity.
What UCaaS Services Are Right For your Organization?
Every company is different. Some may only need a few services and others want the entire suite. The important thing to remember is that UCaaS can grow as your company grows.
Determine the features that are essential to your needs. There is a tremendous variety of choices, and it can be overwhelming. Meridian is here for you, so don’t hesitate to contact us and ask for a free demo.
Here’s a list of essential capabilities that may prove to be essential for your organization:
Voice Services (VoIP)
VoIP is the main reason companies migrate their communications systems to the cloud. VoIP allows users to make or receive calls through various devices, including laptops and mobile, at affordable rates through the internet. They can also make video calls, connect with other users via instant messaging, share documents and media files, and conduct video conferences with multiple participants through VoIP.
Video Conferencing
Depending on your business needs, you may want a unified communications system that includes video conferencing and voice services. This is particularly essential for companies with remote and hybrid employees, since COVID, it has become a mainstay, even for companies without a distributed workforce. Communicating with clients, partners and other businesses is much more convenient for everyone with video conferencing.
Contact Center Software
If your organization manages a contact center, you’ll need call routing software that enables callers to quickly reach the right person or department. Contact center software helps ensure that all calls are routed efficiently and answered promptly.
How UCaaS Benefits Small Companies
UCaaS is not just for larger businesses. In fact, it is one of the smartest investments a small company can make. A hosted, cloud-based solution will make it easy for them to improve their operational efficiency and employee productivity.
Traditional communication systems require businesses to purchase their hardware and software, pay for maintenance and support, and host their own servers for data storage. This can be prohibitively expensive for many companies. UCaaS allows businesses to use cloud-based solutions without making upfront investments in on-premise infrastructure.
Using a hosted, cloud-based communications service will help them eliminate capital expenditures (CAPEX) and ongoing maintenance costs, freeing up more of their budget for other projects.
They should also see improved employee productivity when their employees have access to unified communications applications like instant messaging and desktop sharing from any device or location.
Join the Future of Business Communication with the Right UCaaS Provider
Now that you have a better understanding of “What is Unified Communications as a service (UCAAS)” you know that these systems are crucial for the future of your business. No matter the size of the business, UCaaS offers a range of features to help you communicate effectively while saving on operational costs with streamlined IT management and delivering a better user experience. When you partner with a provider like Meridian, you can grow your business, customer base, and increase your revenue.
Get in touch with us today for a free trial: 484-753-7200.
Additional Reading: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/services/what-is-ucaas/