4 Factors to Consider When Switching to a Unified Communication Solution

Unified Communication (UC) solutions have become a topic of discussion for companies ranging in size. Whether you’re an SMB to an enterprise company, UC is becoming a must-have for all businesses.

When thinking about switching to a UC solution, there are multiple services, processes, and people to consider. Since a UC solution is not a single product, but a suite of technologies that provide a user experience, it’s important to understand your needs before moving forward to finding the right solution.

We’ve created a list 5 things to consider when implementing a unified communication platform into your business.

1. Security, network, and policies

Security starts the minute you begin to planning architecture and goes all the way to each and every system component. Security is not just implementing a firewall and going about your day. It’s critical that you’re adding multiple layers of defense to protect your network from threats (unknown and known).

If you’re a small business thinking about switching to a UC solution, security needs to be at the top of your list. A single breach can run you out of business.

2. Flexible and scalable deployment options

Although switching to a UC solution can seem like a daunting process, you’re able to implement at your own speed. Since UC implementation can happen on a staggered basis, you’re able to align implementation with your business goals.

Since this process can be staggered, you’re able to address immediate business needs that can alleviate pain points within your business.

While developing a plan to switch to a UC solution, it’s important that the partner you’re working with keeps your needs in mind when it comes to scalability so that when your business grows, your unified communication system grows with your business.

3. Choosing the best partner to meet your needs

The world of Managed IT as well as UC systems is full of businesses, partners, and consultants looking to work with your business, but how do you know do you navigate the landscape and find the best partner for you?

Customer support, technical knowledge, and industry expertise are important benchmarks to ensure that you’re choosing the right vendor to work with.

Ensuring that your partner walks through planning, design, implementation, deployment, and post-deployment with a strategy for each process. By understanding what a potential partner’s plan is for your business, you can identify who has your needs, solutions, and opportunities in mind.

The partner that you ultimately choose should be able to showcase the value that a UC strategy can add to your business, setting you up for success in the future.

4. Bring your own device (BYOD)

As remote work and the use of mobile devices becomes more prominent in businesses of all sizes, being able to use your own device to interact with your main office is a common occurrence. When selecting a UC solution, keep in mind that your organization will want to use their own devices and your UC solution should be able to accommodate individual devices to keep your business flexible.

5. Network infrastructure and architecture

When you’re implementing a UC into your business, it’s important to not only your partner, but your IT team understands the infrastructure and architecture that will best meet the needs of your business.

No matter what architecture model you choose, it’s important that you are able to discuss scalable options with your UCaas partner to make sure you’re getting the most out of your new UC solution.

Although the world of unified communications and managed network services can seem broad and somewhat overwhelming, at Coordinated Business Systems, we pride ourselves on being a top IT advisor in the midwest. Schedule a time to talk and we’ll find the best way to streamline and scale your communications.