Top 5 Myths of Unified Communications

There are many misconceptions about the world of Unified Communications (UC). It’s time you find out the truth behind the technology that is changing the workplace entirely.

Here are the Top 5 Myths of Unified Communications

Myth #1: If it is not broken, then why fix it?

Reality: Ongoing upgrades, maintenance and new equipment expenses associated with your current onsite phone system might end up costing you more than switching to a cloud-hosted UC platform. Even if your costs are the same or lower with your existing phone system, consider the opportunity costs of not supporting your existing workforce with features, flexibility, and mobility that UC offers and that helps improve your team’s efficiency.

The work environment has shifted into a fast-paced, technology-driven space that requires more than just voice communications (making and receiving calls). To stay competitive, companies need a voice solution that extends, integrates and connects a variety of scenarios. These scenarios include multiple offices, a mobile workforce, field employees, remote workers, call center support and more. Visit our blog post to dive deeper into how Unified Communications allows you to stay connected.

Myth #2: UC solutions are the same as traditional solutions  

Reality: Many traditional onsite phone systems have all the essential desk phone functions. However, they don’t have a softphone through a mobile app or web portal. These additional features allow users to do almost anything they can do on the desk phone either on their mobile phone or computer. This allows mobility and flexibility to work anytime, anywhere.

Unified Communications (UC) is the integration of enterprise communication services via a common platform that improves, enhances and facilities better overall connectivity, information, and end-to-end solutions. Most UC providers offer a complete unified communications system that includes features for seamless integration among devices; Desk Phones, Computers, and Mobile Devices.

Here are the 5 Most Popular UC Features from Level365

Click to read more about why Lyssé chose to make the switch to Level365

Myth #3: The concept of UC is still new, how do we know it works?

Reality: Unified Communications has been around for over a decade. There has been an evolution, or maybe even a revolution, within the telecom industry from traditional on-site phone systems to VOIP to Unified Communications. Companies across the globe have implemented this technology into their everyday business functions. According to the Global Unified Communication as a Service Market Research Report 2017, over the next four years, the global market for UC as a Service is expected to grow at a CAGR of roughly 25.32%.

Myth #4: Unified Communication solutions are expensive

Reality: Unlike onsite phone systems, upgrading to UC with Hosted Voice service does not require a large upfront capital investment. With UC, your phone system (and communications platform) is hosted in the cloud and not at your physical location.  This feature allows you to access your UC platform wherever and whenever you want. For almost all of the same reasons companies are using SaaS for software applications, more and more businesses are moving to Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) to improve overall communications. Your UC provider takes care of the typical capital expenses of hardware (computers, routers, switches, storage, etc.). In addition, they are responsible for repair and maintenance fees.

Also similar to SaaS, companies pay a predictable monthly price for UCaaS service. Below are some ways UC service saves customers time and money:

  • Month-to-Month Service:  You can expand (or contract) as your business ebbs and flows without having to worry about required long-term contracts or early termination fees.
  • Lower Capital Expenses:  Unlike onsite phone systems, there is no equipment to buy, install and maintain on-site, besides your desk phones. You can save thousands of dollars in upfront costs compared to other providers
  • Ongoing Support:  Your UC provider should offer ongoing technical support and service before, during and after the sale.
  • Predictable Pricing:  We like simple, all-inclusive, and predictable pricing, so our service includes does not have any hidden fees.

Myth #5: UCaaS is difficult to understand and complicated to install

Reality: Switching over to UCaaS is a turn-key transition with minimal ongoing support required from your IT staff. Switching over to UCaaS is not a difficult task. There is, of course, some planning and coordination, but your provider handles most of the heavy lifting regarding setting up Auto Attendant, Call Groups, Call Queues, Porting Numbers, etc. On average, companies can have their UCaaS enterprise voice platform up and running in less than a month.

Although advancing technology can seem intimidating at first for small businesses, Hosted Voice with UC is a much simpler way to use your business phone system. Users can quickly scale their service by just adding new phone handsets and purchasing an additional service plan. No adding new capital equipment required for increased users. Maintaining your service used to be a technical endeavor. You had to hire an outside contractor or have someone on staff that could spend time maintaining the service. With Hosted Voice, all of that is taken care of for you.

Now that we’ve debunked some myths of unified communications, ready to learn more? Check Out Our “Ultimate Guide To UCaaS” now!

 

Is UC Right For Your Business? Find Out Now!

About Level365: Level365 offers a complete Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) solution with enterprise voice that is customizable and scalable for your business. Our service seamlessly integrates communication among desk phones, computers, and mobile devices to support remote teams and provide flexibility for on-site staff.  The UC platform extends beyond voice communications with Unified Messaging, Presence, Chat/SMS, Cloud Faxing, CRM Integrations, and more.

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