3 Benefits You May Have Overlooked When Considering Hosted UC
December 01, 2015
By Susan J. Campbell
TMCnet Contributing Editor
Trusting a hosted provider just a few years ago to manage your communications needs may have been something outside of your comfort zone. You already had significant investment tied up in your legacy system and you had no interest in trading features for something cheaper. It just didn’t make sense in your call accounting, as cheaper often equates to more expensive when it hurts your ability to communicate effectively.
As technology continues to evolve and Unified Communications (News - Alert) (UC) is no longer just a luxury, many in your position are considering hosted options once again. Providers now have some time under their belts, demonstrating that they can deliver on expectations. Likewise, features are much more rich and extensive while the legacy system is getting some age on it. The idea of making a transition is no longer a foreign one, but is the cost benefit enough of an argument?
ISI (News - Alert) Telemanagement, a call accounting solutions provider, recently posted a blog on the topic, suggesting that it’s time to think outside of the box. Hosted solutions offer scalability, ease in deployment, timely updates, increased productivity and a lot more. Plus, there’s variety in the options available, whether you want to do a hosted or hosted and managed solution. When it comes to management, reporting and ease of use, there’s a number of reasons to consider the hosted option.
Aside from the low capital expenditure – if any – the hosted solution can also offer expert application management when you partner with a proven provider. The company you select can lessen the pain of the transition and save considerable administrative time. This frees your IT experts to focus on important applications like Mobile Device Management (MDM) and the provisioning of applications needed to get their jobs done. Your partner will also perform all necessary updates to ensure you’re completely up-to-date and enjoying the latest features.
The thing to look for when examining partners is stringent datacenter certifications and audited security, such as SSAE-16 certification. If you’re operating in a highly regulated industry, look for high standards in compliance in vertical markets. If the provider doesn’t mention HIPAA or Sarbanes-Oxley, for instance, you need to keep looking. You are held accountable for partners who are not in compliance, so choose wisely.
Finally, don’t forget about the potential for expansion. With a focus on growth, you can expand the number of trunk gateways, user stations and data sources being serviced, paying only for what you use. If you need to scale back, you can do so without penalty or failing to use a robust system to full capacity. You no longer have to be limited by the confines of the legacy system.
If the results of your call accounting figures suggest it’s time to consider a move to a hosted UC solution, don’t stand with the cost argument alone. Consider these other benefits and do your homework when considering a provider. Potential benefits mean nothing if you can’t stay reliably connected.
Edited by Stefania Viscusi