Have you ever seen the acronym “UCaaS” thrown around? This technology service has had a global impact, with the market size valued at more than $38 billion in 2020, and expected to expand at 23% from 2021 to 2028. We’re taking a look at what UCaaS is and covering some basics about this communications technology.
What is UCaaS?
UCaaS stands for “Unified Communications as a Service.” This refers to a service that provides a tech platform, offering all the internal communication tools your business needs all in one place. Instead of having a different solution for voice, video, instant messaging, email, etc, UCaaS brings all of these together to simplify, streamline, and provide cohesive communication channels.
You may wonder, “What is a UCaaS platform?” This simply refers to the software that lets users interact with the communication tools. UCaaS platforms are typically cloud-based, meaning that businesses don’t have to invest in physical infrastructure like telephones or download software to each individual computer. The mobility of UCaaS is a great benefit, as well as the cost reduction and savings associated with this system of communication. They are typically a subscription based model, and many allow you to pay only for what you actually use, instead of having to pay for a certain number of user licenses that may or may not be utilized.
What type of business would benefit from a UCaaS? UCaaS examples could include:
- Healthcare companies
With many workers who aren’t necessarily sitting behind a desk all day, having a cloud-based internal communication system that can be easily accessed on phones or tablets (all while staying HIPPA compliant) can literally be life-or-death. With the 2020 pandemic increasing the need for remote visits and video conferencing, features like video meeting capabilities are a perfect fit for these types of companies. Scalability is a great benefit for healthcare companies as fluctuation in the workforce can happen quickly. The flexibility of UCaaS solutions work quite well for these situations.
- Businesses with remote workforces
The COVID-19 pandemic changed many things, and so many businesses transitioned into remote working and continue to maintain a remote workforce. Cloud-based UCaaS solutions can give remote employees the tools they need to stay in touch with their coworkers and enable them to be more productive. In fact, the Eastern Management Group found that 52% of unified communications system adopters reported productivity gains while 45% reported increased efficiency as a benefit. 93% of all UCaaS buyers reported one or more benefits post-implementation.
What is the difference between UCaaS and CCaaS?
The difference between UCaaS and CCaaS is the scope and purpose. UCaaS is used for the entire organization and intended for primarily internal communication between coworkers and stakeholders. CCaaS, which stands for “contact center as a service,” is a cloud-based technology that replaces traditional call center equipment and is used for external communication with customers to provide excellent customer service.
What is the difference between UCaaS and VoIP?
VoIP stands for “voice over internet protocol” and is a function that allows people to make telephone calls over the internet. UCaaS usually includes VoIP tools in addition to other functions like email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and more. Simply put, VoIP gives people the ability to make phone calls, while UCaaS gives users the ability to use any style of communication they choose.
What is included in UCaaS?
Unified communications as a service providers vary in what they provide. Some providers will include services like implementation or infrastructure like a data center, while others will just provide the platform and licenses to use it. Whatever the level of service provided, many people turn to a managed services provider to represent their best interests during the selection of the provider, implementation, and the on-going support and maintenance.
Run, Grow, and Transform with InterVision
With over 25 years of experience providing managed services (and partnerships with the leading UCaaS providers), here at InterVision we are excited and ready to help you realize your IT vision. We specialize in helping you find the right solution for your needs, while being sensitive to your unique challenges, risks, and objectives. InterVision can help you save money while implementing and maintaining the UCaaS solution that you are searching for. In fact, we’re so confident in our ability to help that we guarantee a cost savings of 30% on your AWS spend.
We’re passionate about bringing the IT services that companies need to them and being a trusted and compassionate partner for all your IT needs. Visit our website to learn more about our offerings or contact us today to discuss the next steps for implementing a UCaaS solution.
Want to learn more? You may also be interested in these blogs …
UCaaS: Past, Present and Future
UCaaS Providers
CCaaS Companies
