Common UcaaS Questions and Answers

A unified communications solution is often the first step for organizations looking for ways to increase flexibility and resilience with cloud technology. With UCaaS, teams can stay productive, engaged, and connected, whether they are working from home, in the office, or on the go. However, before adopting any new technology, it’s important to learn as much as you can about how it works, what it can and cannot do, and potential challenges. We’ve put together this list of UCaaS questions and answers to help you start the research process.

What Is UCaaS?

UCaaS, or unified communications as a service, is a cloud communications solution that offers all the main types of business communications from one platform.

What Features Are Included?

This can vary a lot between cloud providers, so be sure to do your homework and ensure the platform you use has everything you need. Often, UCaaS comes with video, voice, chat, and file sharing,

You’ll also want to look at the more granular details such as advanced voice features like voicemail, call waiting, and caller ID, as well as a contact center solution to power your customer success. Other details to look for include rich video conferencing features, including interactive presentation tools, screen sharing, and HD video, and a real-time backup and restore function for your file management.

What Do Users Need to Access the Technology?

As a cloud solution, users simply need to download the application to their device and log in to the platform to get started. Your employees can chat with co-workers, launch video meetings, share files, and more from any location as long as they have an internet connection.

The software is hosted on secure off-site servers, so there’s no need for on-site hardware or extra IT resources to manage and maintain the technology. You can, however, purchase specific hardware such as desk phones, headsets, and webcams to work with your technology.

Does My Company Need a New Phone System to Make UCaaS Work?

UCaaS relies on VoIP (voice over internet protocol) technology. This means voice data is transmitted over the internet, so there’s no need to have a traditional phone line to make and receive calls. In fact, this is one of the largest draws of cloud phone systems – your business can likely save on your phone bill by switching from a traditional phone system to VoIP technology.

Can Employees Use Desk Phones Through the UC Platform?

Yes, they can! You can use feature-rich desk VoIP phones to make and receive calls, send messages, and more, all through the same unified communications app you have on your computer, mobile phone, or other devices. These desk phones are plug-and-play so that you can set them up yourself right away.

Is Communicating Through a UC App Secure?

As with any cloud technology, security can be a big concern. To ensure your teams can use your UCaaS solution confidently, it is important to inquire about the security practices your cloud provider uses.

Your provider should be able to explain how they offer a worry-free experience. Here are some of the security best practices to expect from your cloud services provider:

• Third-party audits to validate their security controls
• Adherence to all applicable compliance standards such as HIPAA and PCI-DSS
• Advanced encryption for email services
• Ongoing network monitoring and detection
• Highly secure data centers with security guards, controlled access, and 24/7 monitoring
• Rigorous background checks for employees

How Reliable Is UCaaS?

Reliability is critical. If your software doesn’t work for your teams, you could have problems with productivity and employee frustration. To ensure the UCaaS solution you adopt will perform, look for at least 99.99% service reliability and accessible technical support.

How Much Does UCaaS Cost?

One of the huge benefits of UCaaS technology is its affordability. Because it uses a subscription-based payment model, there’s no need to make a large IT investment to get started. You pay for the number of users you need.

You can also scale up or down by adding or subtracting users. To enjoy the cost-efficiency benefits, look for a provider that offers transparent, flexible pricing and doesn’t require a contract.

Start Benefiting with a Leading UCaaS Solution

Whether you want to save money with cloud-based communications, unlock your teams’ potential, boost resilience, or all of the above, UCaaS can be game-changing for businesses. YeoVoice, powered by Elevate, is a comprehensive unified communications platform that comes with all the features your business needs to thrive. Reach out to our team today for a quote.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at Intermedia.