Einstein tried to define a unified field theory of everything, but didn’t quite make it. Fortunately, a unified communications approach, however, is much easier to achieve - and it’s becoming a reality for many organizations. While I might not be able to fully explain Einstein’s effort, I’m confident I can help you understand Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS).

1. Unified Communications Does Just That - It Unifies Communication

What is unified communications? It combines all streams of information and media going in and out of your organization – chat/instant messaging, video conferencing, email, phone conferencing, voicemail, fax, collaboration, and social media. By putting them all in the same queue, you won’t lose track of any of them and you only need to check one place to make sure you’ve got your bases covered. This will also ensure your business communicates with all media streams equally.

By centralizing all the information coming into your organization, it also gives you centralized analytics and reporting capabilities. Even if no one in your organization is currently asking for this information, they most likely will. And when you can provide them with a complete picture of the communications environment a half hour after they ask for it, it makes you look smart and capable.

2. UCAAS Integration

One of the biggest myths about cloud-based UCaaS is that it can't integrate with your current system and current communication practices. WRONG. UCaaS integrates seamlessly into the products you're already using in your workplace - such as Skype for Business or Google Chat for chat presence and call control. It also integrates with a CRM that you might have in place. This way when a client calls, all their information and recent actions will be available - and available when they call, email, or send a message. Integrations can also be made for mobile field workforce systems and trouble-ticket systems. However you're contacted, UCaaS can be integrated.

Long story short? UCaaS can integrate into third party systems to make you more efficient and effective.

3. It’s a Cloud Movement

The third piece that is important to understand is that all of these unified communication capabilities are moving to the Cloud. If you are new to the Cloud, Jeff Bertolucci's "10 Cloud Migration Mistakes" article might be worth a read. But what you ultimately need to know, is that the servers and equipment that managed your communications are eventually going away. We promise you won’t miss them. This migration makes the conversation about UCaaS very simple. Now your only decision is if you want to start implementing a service that can revolutionize how you communicate inside and outside of your organization.

4. A look at the Future of UCaaS

So now you learned about some of the developments currently happening with UCaaS. What about the future? Software defined networking for your communications and networks combined with network function virtualization (NFV) is something you should put on your radar today. This is important, because you want your communication networks operating at peak efficiency. The optimizing tools currently being developed put a great deal of intelligence right at your site, making the bandwidth demands on your network more balanced, more efficient and more respectful of your resources. No more piling server after server on top of each other as the needs of your organization change.

Ready to make the move?