Unified Communications Platforms Guide

Cloud-enabled communication has become the new standard for businesses that want to stay agile and competitive. If you’ve been reluctant to upgrade your outdated systems because you thought the process was too complicated or you were unsure which provider or solution to choose, you’re missing out on significant productivity gains and cost savings. Read our six-step buying guide for practical tips to help you find the ideal unified communications platform provider and reap the benefits for your entire organization.

The future of corporate communications lies in the cloud

The rise of unified communications (UC) platforms has helped to redefine how and where people work. Cloud-enabled solutions proved their value when companies already using them were able to quickly transition to remote working without disruption during COVID-19, while those less prepared struggled to stay connected and work productively. Now that the workplace is becoming more virtual than physical, cloud-based communication is essential to remain competitive and future-proof. The demand for UC platforms to support remote workers has exploded, and for good reason.

Regardless of where organizations are in their migration from traditional communications solutions to next-generation voice and UC&C solutions in the cloud, the benefits for employees and customers are impressive – including the improved ability to meet business needs, adapt to the unexpected and deploy new communications technologies.

But even as remote and hybrid working models continue to grow, some companies have been slow to make the transition to cloud-enabled communications, focusing instead on their on-premise infrastructure. This is understandable. Cloud migration is a big, complex project for any business. But the challenges are manageable – especially if you know what to look for in a solution and a provider.

6 must-have functions for UC&C providers

With so many providers promising one-size-fits-all solutions, it’s hard to find the one that actually offers what you need. To help you find a solution that will benefit your bottom line, we’ve broken down what you should look for in a potential provider and why it’s important.

1. specialist knowledge of communication networks

You probably have a number of PBXs, conference bridges, SBCs, video MCUs and other devices in your backend. And over time, these core network elements have changed for a variety of reasons. A mature UC provider is technology and hardware agnostic and can work seamlessly with technology changes in your core network.

2. customizable options

No two organizations have the same UC&C requirements. If your organization is a large enterprise, you may value brand recognition and prefer to go with a trusted provider that has experience delivering services in large environments. However, if you are a small or medium-sized business, consolidating your contracts and services with a single provider may be your primary goal. On the other hand, you may want to focus on functionality and include or exclude certain features or controls, or integrate business functions driven by proprietary enterprise systems.

Ultimately, the solution you choose should offer the most appropriate features and functionality, not a one-size-fits-all approach that you can’t easily configure or change.

3. comprehensive tools and resources

Look for a provider with extensive experience in planning, developing and migrating complex solution packages that integrate seamlessly with your current environment so your IT teams can focus on innovation, not application integration. You should also choose a partner that has extensive certifications and close relationships with leading technology vendors and understands the ever-evolving technology and business trends that impact your organization.

4. common platform and interface

Choose a UC provider that is able to work on any popular client technology platform and has a similar interface for all devices and operating systems. This way, your users can switch from one device to another without additional training or confusion about the interface and quality remains high.

5. unbiased focus on future technologies

A UC provider that is quick to embrace new technologies will offer your company greater infrastructure flexibility. This also means that the technical work, software upgrades, feature development and security enhancements lie with the provider and not your company.

6. easy installation and management

Simplicity is critical to ensure that implementation, deployment and maintenance don’t result in downtime or place an unnecessary burden on your IT and support staff. But you also need to think beyond deployment and consider how you want to manage your new solution. All too often, organizations spend too much time managing disparate systems from different vendors that weren’t designed to work together seamlessly. When evaluating platforms, make sure you’re only dealing with one vendor and one account to keep your communications system running as efficiently as possible.

Business results are important

Look for a vendor that meets as many of these requirements as possible and evaluate potential solutions based on your desired business outcomes. For example, if your key goals are revenue growth and increased employee productivity, focus on providers with a proven track record in these areas.

When you’re ready to modernize your communications and collaboration tools, turn to a trusted partner with years of experience in network management and communications networks to help you navigate the complexities and reap the benefits of UC&C in your organization.

Savecall and its partners have the next-generation voice and UC&C solutions you need for integrated communications and collaboration, whatever your business model – office-based, remote or hybrid. We also offer a range of enablement services, from deployment to connectivity.

I look forward to your questions!

Frank Frommknecht

Key Account Consultant