When the pandemic pushed organizations across several industries to arrange home office accommodations, the shift to unified communications was a quick decision to keep business in motion. Now that more companies see the benefits of unified communications as a service (UCaaS) solutions, the market is maturing faster than expected.
UCaaS adoption is expected to grow even more in the near future, with predictions from Grand View Research forecasting 20% annual growth over the next five years. What’s pushing companies to adopt UCaaS? There are several factors fueling the growth:
Shifting to the Cloud: Companies that had never experienced the benefits of cloud technology before the pandemic are now prioritizing migrations in areas like unified communications. The cloud’s scalability, improved security, and adaptability allow companies to leave legacy communications systems behind, freeing up IT staff and reducing costs.
Consolidation: Some of what is driving the adoption of UCaaS is the consolidation of what providers are offering. A company that works with a trusted provider for a videoconferencing solution is likely to take the leap to UCaaS when they have experienced the service and support they can expect when transitioning to a new technology. Mergers and acquisitions are driving the consolidation of what providers offer.
AI Capabilities: The best UCaaS solutions incorporate new artificial intelligence (AI) technology that can analyze language patterns for training purposes, employ automated receptionist features, and effectively direct calls to the right resources. AI is introducing new levels of efficiency and streamlining customer service without sacrificing satisfaction.
Integrations: Providers are increasingly integrating UCaaS with other mobile applications, such as customer relationship management (CRM) software and supply chain management tools, for a seamless user experience.
Cyber Security Concerns: From bring your own device (BYOD) programs that allow employees to access company resources on personal phones to the geographical dispersing of employees with remote and hybrid work, security teams are encountering new and complex vulnerabilities. UCaaS offers security features like end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authorization, and user access restrictions that ease security management in modern work environments.
5G: UCaaS and the ability to work from home are only as good as the connectivity at any given location. The spread of 5G is allowing for improvements in speed and performance that make work-from-anywhere policies a win for both employer and employee.
When it comes to your company’s motivation for considering UCaaS, industry trends are less important than how it benefits your business operations. If you’re considering a unified communications approach for your organization, eXemplify can assess your specific needs and help you find a UCaaS solution that offers the best collaboration and communication features. Contact us today to get started.