Since the pandemic, few technologies have gained more attention than Unified Communications as a Service. Increasingly, today’s businesses are recognising the need for an aligned communication environment if they want to stay ahead of the competition. Without the right connections between staff members, shareholders, with clients, a company simply can’t survive.
During the 2020 shift to remote work, many companies discovered just how important it was to have a flexible, scalable, and versatile communication model. Even now that pandemic restrictions are lifting, companies still believe that the future of work will be a hybrid model of remote and in-office operations.
This increase in hybrid and flexible working means UCaaS is more essential than ever to keep everyone in the company productive, and connected. So, if you’re planning on making the transition to Unified Communications, how exactly should you plan your purchasing strategy?
Why UCaaS?
Unified Communications and UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) are quickly becoming synonymous. Although some companies continue to prefer the standard legacy unified communication environment, they can manage themselves; most companies are beginning to see the benefits of a more flexible, cloud-based solution.
Unified Communications as a Service is a must-have for the age of hybrid work. It allows companies of all sizes to support their employees wherever they are with easy-to-provision and manage communications features. It’s little wonder that UCaaS investment has skyrocketed over the last couple of years, with a projected value of $59.51 billion by 2027.
With a UCaaS solution, businesses have the freedom to invest in the tools and services that their employees need in a changing landscape and roll out new functionality with the click of a button.
When the pandemic arrived and pushed businesses of all sizes into remote work, companies discovered how beneficial a flexible working strategy could be. Now, few companies want to return to a fully in-house workforce. This paves the way for new demands in the Unified Communications space. Companies need more than just a reliable communications provider; they need something that can adapt to suit their needs as their business transforms.
Why Subscriptions Make Sense for Hybrid Work
Subscriptions make a lot of sense in a flexible environment.
The UCaaS subscription model represents the perfect opportunity for the future of hybrid work. Unlike other traditional investments which involve locking customers into a specific commitment to a certain number of minutes, numbers, and features each year, a subscription model is far more flexible. Companies can use the “as a service” subscription to add and remove functionality as their company evolves. It’s the perfect way to stay adaptable for the hybrid workforce.
A UCaaS subscription model can include:
- Flexible licensing options: Companies can increase the number of cloud connections or extensions they have at speed and add new features to their package as their business needs evolve. It’s quick and easy to adapt to a changing landscape. You can add more soft phone technology to your business as your remote worker count increases, or unlock extra assistance with your hardware and in-office technology, depending on your needs.
- Simple provisioning: A UCaaS subscription model is particularly effective when it comes to providing employees with UCaaS technology in a modern environment. Business leaders can simply log into a cloud-based portal and provision team members remotely with soft phone technology and crucial features. There’s no need to send an engineer to multiple remote workers located around the country (or even around the globe).
- Custom packages: Many vendors in the UC and UCaaS environment are becoming more flexible with the way they offer their communication technology. Today’s businesses can often offer a package that features everything from call recording functionality to the hardware you might need for regular business meetings. At the same time, these packages maintain the flexibility to be adapted and upgraded as your business needs change.
- Add-ons and extensions: Subscription models allow companies to simply add new features and integrations as they choose. Many leading vendors can offer UCaaS subscriptions which come with access to extra features like Workforce optimisation tools, workplace dashboards, contact centre technology, and analytics. Businesses can simply talk to their vendor about what they need and build the perfect subscription model for their requirements.
Additionally, for companies worried about the financial restrictions of building a hybrid workforce in an uncertain economy, the subscription model is highly predictable. You know exactly what you’re getting and precisely what you need to pay for, so there’s minimal risk of additional expenses to worry about when you receive your bill.
Purchasing the Right UC Solution
For the age of hybrid work, companies need a reliable, flexible, and convenient purchasing strategy that adapts to suit their needs. Increasingly, today’s UC providers are offering a wider selection of package options to make UC more accessible to all kinds of companies. There are even UC packages which can come with access to things like devices and meeting rooms as a service.
These added extras allow companies to hire the tools they need for communication on a monthly or annual subscription basis. When the needs of the organisation change, the company can simply choose to access new technology, or continue with their subscription.
Flexible subscription options may even include adding APIs, custom integrations, and CPaaS elements into a Unified Communication environment, so companies can access a wider range of products for a smaller price tag. Dealing with a single bill for all of your communication needs is one of the biggest benefits of Unified Communications.
Of course, there’s more to think about when purchasing your UCaaS offering. Aside from simply looking at things like budgeting and purchasing requirements, you should also be considering the exact selection of features you need. Remember, purchasing the perfect UC solution means choosing something that can serve your employees’ needs now, and deliver opportunities to your business in the years to come.
