3 min read

How to Choose the Right UCaaS Provider

Considering a transition to Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS)? When it comes to connecting your people and customers, traditional PBX systems or basic on-premise UC systems can be inefficient, expensive, and unreliable.

Read how a dedicated Managed Service Provider can better your business!

To support the entire spectrum of business requirements, UCaaS is becoming more of a priority for organizations. In fact,  IDG Quick Pulse reports that 28% of small- to medium-sized enterprises have already shifted to UCaaS and 56% plan to incorporate it into their network in the next 12 months to three years.  Continue reading to discover how your organization can choose the right UCaaS provider.

1. Compare UCaaS Provider Features

When evaluating UCaaS providers, you must ask "What features are in place that address the goals of my organization?". The thing that should be top mind should be ease of use and intuitiveness.

With UCaaS providers offering new features it is important that your organization can pick up on the new system fairly quickly. This will take extensive research on your organization's end to determine what features are the most needed in your work environment. 

2. Ensure UCaaS Solution is Adaptable

As your business and technology evolves, a crucial question to think about is "Does your organization have a solution that will a enable a smooth transition to the cloud?" If not, your organization might want to consider a UCaaS provider that offers both cloud and hybrid solutions to create a blended environment approach.

Your managed service provider or IT team, can mix deployment and keep certain elements on site while others are migrated to the cloud. This will provide your organization with an adaptable plan while giving you the flexibility to customize your own migration plan at your own pace. 

3. Make Sure System is Manageable

Although a managed service provider, or third party resource, may be able to install your UCaaS platform it is crucial to ask yourself "How easy will this be to manage ?" . After installation it is important for your organization to know how much of a technical understanding will be needed in order to properly run the solution. 

Fortunately cloud apps. like Zoom or Ring Central, provide great opportunities for hands- on management given that accounts, users, and functionality can be securely accessed from anywhere.  Through this single source service, your organization can minimize the number of call needed to answer pressing questions and concerns 

Interested in hiring an MSP? Learn more about Managed IT Services and how they can help your business!

4. Place Emphasis on Scalability and Integration

As your business continues to grow it is important to think about scalability when implementing a cloud phone system. Luckily, cloud phone systems, like Microsoft Teams, can scale quickly, no matter if the need is prompted by mergers, regulations, or any industry changes. This will give your organization the ability to easily add licenses to your plan or support the acquisition of a new organization. 

On the other hand, integration with your existing system is a critical factor that must be taken into account prior to migrating to a UCaaS provider. Your organization should be on the look out for cloud providers that offer open APIs, or Application Program Interfaces, which enable your or third party developers to create a customized solution to meet unique business needs.

Don't get fooled, make sure you hire the right MSP! Read our article on 6 red flags of a bad MSP.

 

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