Unified Communications is a concept that’s quickly gaining popularity in the mid-market segment, where large numbers of employees need to communicate quickly and effectively with coworkers and customers. Unfortunately, while many brands understand the appeal of unified communications, few know what it means to implement the right strategy for their business.
The aim of Unified Communications isn’t to bring as much new technology into your organisation as possible. To create a viable strategy, firms need to start on a journey for intelligent communications, empowered by processes and applications that allow staff members to be more efficient in the workplace. Here are a few steps to get you started on your UC journey.
1. Work Backwards from the User
One of the biggest mistakes that today’s companies make is that they try to implement UC technology and then figure out where it fits into the workflow of their key talent. Generally, it’s better to approach implementation from the other way around, looking at the tools that your workers are already using and determining where they might be able to become more efficient with help. The more you learn about what your employees need to thrive, the easier it will be to choose a UC vendor that can provide the tailor-made solution that’s right for your brand.
2. Audit and Upgrade Your Network Infrastructure
Once you know which parts of your communication strategy could do with an update, it’s time to think about your organisational network. The upgrade to a UC environment means thinking about how you can make your business more streamlined, efficient, and connected by bringing different communication strategies together. Often, this will require a shift to some cloud-based applications and a consideration of network elements like:
- Technology to support converged data and voice traffic
- Collaboration tools for internal communication
- Storage areas for network information and compliance
3. Allow Time for Learning and Discovery
Once you implement a new UC strategy, make sure that you give your staff plenty of time to get used to their new environment. While most of today’s UC solutions are designed to be easy to adopt, you may still need to invest in some training for people who are used to working with legacy systems. Providing the right support during the initial stages of a UC implementation can be the key to ensuring buy-in from your entire enterprise.
4. Look for Interoperability and Scalability
The UC strategy your business needs today might not be the same one it needs tomorrow. Many organisations in the modern marketplace will use technologies from multiple vendors at once, so it’s important to make sure that each of the components you invest in can interweave seamlessly with the others. If your workers have to constantly switch back and forwards between different UIs and platforms, then you’ll never have a truly “unified” communication experience (CX). Look for vendors that can deliver new and enhanced technology to your business as it continues to grow in the years ahead. It may also be helpful to seek out suppliers who can give you different UC packages for different groups in your organisation. After all, not all your employees will need the same tools.
