The Power of a UC&C Single Platform Solution

For all the power we now carry in our pockets with our phones, many businesses still struggle with enabling seamless communications and collaboration in the world of remote and hybrid work.

Apart from the fact that talking — real-time audio conversation — has become one of the least popular communication methods, and collaboration platforms are incredibly diverse, there’s a wide variety of solutions for messaging, video conferencing, file sharing, whiteboarding… the list goes on.

Many businesses have invested in a Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS) platform to replace their old fragmented systems. The next step is to integrate communication and collaboration into one platform.

The Benefits of Bringing it all Together

Bringing communications and collaboration into a single, purpose-built platform delivers four key benefits.

1. Remote work. A key ask from employees. Recent research from the SMB Group shows that hybrid work environments are a crucial differentiator when people are looking for jobs. This helps businesses attract and retain top talent and makes it easier for employees to collaborate.
2. Business-app integration. Having communication and collaboration tools all on one app makes it much easier to integrate with your other business apps and processes. Why? It gives you a single integration point—rather than having to integrate with multiple apps in a patchwork solution.
3. Cross-channel communication. A universally compatible platform works, regardless of device or operating system. This lowers the burden on your IT staff to troubleshoot compatibility issues and is another enabler of productivity and collaboration for your employees.
4. Asynchronous and live communication. Real-time communication is sometimes essential. But not every discussion or workstream must — or can — happen in real-time. Asynchronous chat helps everyone stay current between live calls no matter the time zone or hour in the day.

How to Choose the Right UCaaS Solution

Once you’ve decided to move to a UCaaS platform that combines communication and collaboration tools on a single platform, remember that not all UCaaS solutions are created equally. Here are the must-haves to consider as you evaluate moving to a new solution.

• Ease of onboarding. Is the platform easy to use, with a friendly user interface? Will the vendor help with change management as you migrate?
• Security. How does the vendor address issues like encryption and authentication? How do they keep your data safe from cyberattacks?
• Reliability. Does the service have guaranteed uptime? How robust is their customer service in the case of an adverse event?
• Versatility. Is the solution compatible with the other business programs you use every day? Do they offer a comprehensive suite of integrations and/or API availability to draft your own?
• Global integration. Will the platform be as reliable and responsive in Europe and Asia as it is in the United States?

Together is Better 

If your business is experiencing barriers to working together across the office, remote, and hybrid work, see how bringing communication and collaboration together on a single platform creates new opportunities to boost efficiency, improve employee experience, and ultimately better serve customers.