Embarking on the quest for the perfect Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) provider can often feel like entering a vast, untamed wilderness. With a dizzying array of options, losing your way is easy. Given the significance of UCaaS to business processes, finding the best provider ensures the smooth operation of your business. Here are six tips you can use to find the best Unified communications as a Service Provider. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Scalability
In the IT world, the term ‘scalability’ is often used casually. But what does it mean? Well, scalability refers to the ability of unified communication systems to seamlessly expand in terms of capabilities or number of users. In specific cases, scalability refers to the UC platform’s ability to meet the needs of your business and collaborate with users as your business grows.
So, when choosing a UCaaS provider, ensure you go for one that grows with you. Often, a business may be unable to predict its growth rate, which is why your UCaaS provider should be prepared to accommodate growth. For instance, suppose a start-up has received its second funding and plans to expand its team.
In such a scenario, the chosen UCaaS provider should be able to accommodate the influx of new employees without burdening the IT department.
Privacy and Security
Digital transformation has brought with it plenty of upsides and several downsides. One major downside is hacking, which makes data protection a crucial aspect for any UCaaS provider you choose. Some of the privacy and security features a UCaaS provider should have include:
- Encryption: This security feature guarantees that any UCaaS user’s messages are kept private. It ensures that the voice data and messages in transmission and at rest are safe from leaks or hacks.
- Strong Password Policies: This feature helps curb security risks, making it even harder for third parties to access the company’s data without the password.
- Role-based Security: A good UCaaS provider should have a role-based security feature that restricts and controls data access based on each employee’s responsibility and role. With this type of consent, employees attempting to access sensitive data will be restricted if they don’t have a certain level of clearance.
Customer Support
Aside from the technical support a UCaaS provider can offer, you should also consider their customer service when choosing the right provider. Go for a UCaaS provider known to provide efficient and quick responses through communication channels such as chat, messaging, and voice.
It can be extremely frustrating to experience poor customer support, especially when you have an issue you want to be handled immediately. A UCaaS provider with responsive customer service will take time to look through your concerns, review your feedback, and implement changes where necessary.
Trial Period
Most UCaaS providers offer clients a demo or trial period. These demos enable you to test their service before committing to a contract. Businesses can get a free preview of how the functionalities and features of a particular UCaaS provider are easy to use. It also helps one understand the provider’s limitations and how they will affect your business.
You also get to experience the effectiveness of their customer service. Based on everything you experience from the app, you can decide if that UCaaS provider is the best for your needs.
Cutting-Edge Offerings
The world of technology is constantly changing. You wouldn’t want to be stuck with a UCaaS provider that fails to keep up with market trends. Therefore, ensure that the UCaaS provider you choose spends time on development and research. This dedication can be seen from their more effective features that help make your processes more efficient.
Integration
The last aspect you should look out for when choosing a UCaaS provider for your needs is their integration. A UCaaS provider should offer seamless integration with other business applications like productivity tools, CRM, and ERP. Integrating other aspects of your business applications helps you run services and existing tools from one platform.
Remember that UCaaS aims to alleviate the burden on your company’s workforce. That’s why it’s crucial to carefully consider when choosing the right provider for your needs. The tips mentioned above are vital to ensuring a smooth experience. You also get to avoid the pitfall of having to switch to different providers if their services don’t fit. With the right UCaaS provider, you can concentrate on building your business as other aspects of your communication are handled and kept safe by the provider you choose.
