For years, companies have rapidly switched away from old-fashioned business phone systems focused on agility and scale. The demand for “UCaaS,” or Unified Communications as a Service, has evolved rapidly as workplaces become more flexible and communication standards change.
The UCaaS market is predicted to reach a value of $240.17 billion by 2030, and virtually every leading communications vendor is taking notice of the space. In the future, as trends like hybrid and remote work continue to proliferate the landscape and companies search for new ways to enhance and optimize collaboration and communication, UCaaS vendors will continue to thrive.
But with so many UCaaS vendors to choose from, it isn’t easy to know where to start searching for the best provider. Here are some of the top, most innovative vendors worth watching right now.
Microsoft
Now recognized as a “UCaaS leader” in the Gartner Magic Quadrant, Microsoft has made major strides with its technology in the last couple of years. Not only has the Microsoft Teams platform grown increasingly intuitive and versatile for collaboration, but Microsoft is consistently introducing new tools and features to make its platform more communication-friendly too.
Today’s Microsoft customers have many ways to connect the extensible Microsoft Teams platform to their telephony strategy. Operator Connect makes it quick and straightforward to connect a PSTN service within a few clicks. There’s direct routing for more flexible business phone solutions and a range of Microsoft Teams calling plans to choose from too.
RingCentral
RingCentral’s comprehensive platform of UCaaS solutions makes it a clear leader in the marketplace today. The company offers tools to match virtually every business need and use case. The leading “MVP” platform from RingCentral even provides companies access to a fully unified environment for meetings, video, collaboration, and calling, with a range of bonus features like in-built analytics.
RingCentral also allows organizations to align their contact center and UC strategies in one end-to-end cloud environment. This makes it a powerful tool for businesses searching for a single pane of glass communications ecosystem.
Intermedia
Intermedia focuses on bringing simple and convenient cloud communications to businesses of any size. The Intermedia “Unite” solution combines contact center functionality with chat, phone, video, and file management. There’s state-of-the-art business phone technology, HD voice, unlimited domestic calling, and HD video conferencing from any device.
Intermedia also has many helpful features to boost communications efficiency and control, such as a built-in auto-attendant, hunt groups, and endless integrations. Companies can even access in-depth analytics and a fantastic 99.999% uptime SLA.
Cisco
For years, Cisco has held a consistent spot at the top of the communications pillar. The company delivers a wide variety of different communication tools to business leaders from around the world. Not only can organizations access a comprehensive communication and collaboration environment with the Cisco Webex Suite, but they can also host events, create webinars, and more.
The Cisco UCaaS environment is flexible and customizable, with easy-to-use and intuitive applications to serve employees wherever they are. There’s access to Webex apps and a central Unified Communications manager to help admins oversee the deployment and provisioning of UCaaS tools and boost mobility.
Windstream
Promising seamless collaboration and communication in a convenient ecosystem, Windstream brings teams together wherever they are. The cloud-based UC and productivity suite ensures business leaders can maintain absolute visibility into their operations. There are various tools for organizations to choose from, including the Office Suite UC environment for managing cloud-based communications anywhere, virtual meeting tools, and CCaaS.
Windstream can also easily integrate with Microsoft Teams, allowing businesses to bring next-level communication technology into their existing applications. Windstream also prioritizes phenomenal security, availability, and reliability for users worldwide.
Zoom
More than just a video conferencing vendor, Zoom has proven itself to be a powerful contender in the UCaaS space in recent years. The fully-fledged environment provides access to events, webinars, calling, video, and messaging, with plans like Zoom One. With Zoom, companies can access the latest tools for collaboration and communication without spending a fortune on new tech.
Zoom’s versatile business plans come with access to cloud storage and the option to extend the service’s functionality in many different ways. Add-ons and integrations simplify unlocking new capabilities such as online digital whiteboarding, Zoom-translated captions, and conference room connector packs.
Wildix
Positioned as a niche vendor in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Unified Communications, Wildix offers specialized services to companies with specific needs. The company provides one of the first sales-oriented communication solutions on the market, with end-to-end support for analytics, insights, and exceptional employee experiences.
The Wildix platform is powered by WebRTC, making it easier for anyone to access their communication tools from any device or environment. Additionally, companies can link their Wildix technology to the tools they already use, including the Salesforce CRM. Features range from webinars and video conferencing to live chat functionality for converting customers.
8×8
Recognized as a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant, 8×8 has been innovating in the communication landscape for many years. The vendor takes a modular approach to unified communications, allowing businesses to mix and match the features they need with exceptional freedom. After purchasing Fuze in 2022, 8×8 has strengthened its UCaaS environment with more innovative cloud connectivity and collaboration tools.
The 8×8 Xperience platform allows businesses to leverage everything from contact center tools to team chat and communication APIs in the same convenient space. Brands can even choose to bring 8×8 technology into Microsoft Teams, and connect their system with a range of apps, thanks to an open and flexible framework.
Dialpad
Finally, Dialpad is helping to pave the way to the future of communications with world-changing functionality and reliability. This market leader is one of the only companies in the industry to provide a 100% uptime SLA for exceptional peace of mind. Dialpad also benefits from a pioneering approach to bringing AI into the communications landscape.
Built-in speech recognition and natural language processing tools can enhance the quality of every conversation and give businesses more insights into their day-to-day operations. Thanks to a commitment to non-stop innovation, Dialpad consistently takes its UCaaS functionality to the next level and offers solutions for CCaaS too.
