The cloud environment of distributed computing architecture has made it possible for users to exploit the power of multiple remote servers and data centers for increased computational power, storage capacity, network bandwidth, analytical capabilities, distributed software, and infrastructure.
The cloud ecosystem has also bred an entire new economy derived from subscriber-based hosted services, broadly known as XaaS or “X” as a Service – where for “X” may be substituted any number of commodities such as Software (Software as a Service, or SaaS), Infrastructure (IaaS), or Platform (PaaS).
Among the more recent offerings making an impact in the telecoms market is UCaaS.
What’s UCaaS?
UCaaS stands for Unified Communications as a Service, and is a cloud-based and hosted solution enabling businesses to achieve more flexible, efficient, and cost-effective methods of integrating their telecommunications systems and business applications.
UCaaS is also empowering companies to take on the challenges of enterprise commerce in several ways.
Bringing Dispersed Locations And People Together
For organizations having multiple branch offices, geographically dispersed locations, and/or a workforce including home-based, traveling, and remote employees, keeping everyone connected on a commonly available telecommunications infrastructure can be a daunting task.
UCaaS enables businesses to resolve this dilemma, by providing a hosted multi-channel communications and collaboration enterprise phone system which offers voice, video conferencing, fax, chat, presence, file and desktop sharing, across the entire enterprise.
Easier Integration With Existing Platforms And Applications
Companies which have been using third-party business software applications and platforms for sales and marketing, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), or other functions may have been looking for a way to better integrate these units with their communications system.
UCaaS solutions allow for the seamless integration of existing business platforms with a company’s telecoms system, enhancing the functionality of both communications and applications suites.
Expanding The Range Of Virtual Meetings
Tools for video conferencing and collaborative working have facilitated the development of the “virtual meeting” phenomenon – both as a medium for direct communication within and beyond the enterprise, and as a channel for delivering training and performance enhancement programs.
The advanced HD video, audio, and web conferencing solutions available with a UCaaS platform empower businesses to interconnect their existing meeting room systems, and extend that connectivity to mobile devices, laptops, and tablets.
Ensuring Business Continuity
The secure web portals used to deliver UCaaS functionality enable access to the features of a service, and the ability to make changes from any device, anywhere, and at any time. This can be instrumental in ensuring business continuity.
A UCaaS provider’s redundant infrastructure and Disaster Recovery mechanisms – together with the ability to re-route calls, update auto-response and messaging systems, and use presence and intelligent routing tools – ensures that businesses, their consumers, and suppliers can communicate with each other, at all times.
Providing Savings And Greater Cost Control
By bringing communications services, business applications and personnel onto the same system, a UCaaS solution provides a centralized resource which boosts productivity and overall business continuity.
By utilizing the latest in IP (Internet Protocol) telecommunications technology and web-administered provisioning, UCaaS also extends the cost savings and account monitoring advantages of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) to the enterprise.
If you’d like to know more about IP telephony or Unified Communications as a Service, get in touch with the experts at net2phone.