Phone, meeting, and messaging tools have become part of everyday working life. Anyone who has ever joined a video meeting, sent a chat message, or made a VoIP call has used Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) technology. UCaaS brings together multiple communication and collaboration tools into a single cloud-hosted solution. And with economic uncertainty on the horizon, it’s the best time to make sure your solution is consolidated and affordable, giving you the best return on investment.
Cloud hosting means UCaaS tools can be accessed from any internet-connected device, whether a smart phone, personal laptop, or company workstation. Now that remote and hybrid working have become the standard work model, UCaaS has shifted from being a nice-to-have to an essential tool for every business.
Because remote phone, meeting, and messaging tools are so integral to working life, your business needs to choose the best available UCaaS option. But what should you look for in an increasingly crowded marketplace? Here’s our take on the seven must-haves for any phone, meeting, and messaging solution:
1. One solution, many features
Combining multiple features in a single product gives IT teams and employers just one platform to learn, use, and manage — with no need to toggle between multiple apps. Look for products that offer telephony, video conferencing, and messaging as a minimum.
2. IT-friendly
IT teams had a torrid time when businesses pivoted to remote working overnight. Now, UCaaS solutions can make life easier. Choose a product with a centralized console where IT can manage and monitor multiple users, and access analytics, reports, and licenses.
3. Seamless user experience
Your phone, meeting, and messaging solution needs to be easy for everyone to use. You want your new UCaaS solution to be universally embraced and adopted, so look for products with an intuitive interface that prioritizes a seamless user experience.
4. Affordability
Subscription-based UCaaS solutions put enterprise-grade features within the budget of most small and midsize businesses (SMBs). Look for a product with flexible licensing, transparent pricing, and a modular design — so you can build a solution around your requirements.
5. Security
Your IT team will tell you security is a top concern when introducing any new technology. Features to look for include encryption, single sign-on (SSO), multifactor authentication (MFA), and a zero-trust approach — meaning verification is required for every access.
6. 24/7 support
Because UCaaS solutions are hosted in the cloud, they are managed by the provider. So, you need to ensure help will be available whenever issues or questions arise. Find a provider that offers 24/7 support, as well as a self-service troubleshooting tool.
7. Scalability
If you want to grow your business, you need a UCaaS solution that grows with you. One of the great benefits of UCaaS is that features, services, and users can be added easily at any time. The more scalable the solution, the better for your business in the long run.
Get your insider guide to UCaaS procurement
To help you find the right UCaaS solution for your business, the GoTo experts have put together a comprehensive Phone, Meeting, Messaging Buyer’s Guide. It is packed with tips and advice, including more on what to look for in the perfect UCaaS tool, the pitfalls to avoid, and information on licensing, pricing models, and implementation.
