Why Communications and Collaboration is Important to Business Transformation

Connected technology has become a part of everyday life for most of us. We regularly use computers, smartphones, and tablets to buy products and services; connect with one another; and get information to help us make decisions.

That’s prompted many businesses to strategize on how best to cater to and communicate with connected consumers. And it’s gotten them think about how to improve communications and operations within their own organizations.

You probably already know all that. You’re likely also aware that this is commonly referred to as digital transformation.

Digital transformation is a rather nebulous term to be completely honest. It’s more of a concept than a prescription or solution really. At least it is until a particular organization creates and executes on a specific effort that employs connected technology to enable business transformation.

Business and digital transformation goals and solutions vary by company. But one area that many organizations are looking to improve upon is business communications and collaboration.

Improvements in business communications and collaboration can help organizations on many fronts. They can serve to align thinking and resources. They can help keep operations running smoothly. They can enable a business to connect with customers using their preferred channels. And they can allow for faster action and greater innovation.

Cloud technology has played a starring role in the widespread adoption of connected technology by both businesses and consumers. And they’ve allowed businesses of all sizes to more effectively compete with largest organizations.

For example, cloud-based unified communications solutions now provide organizations with the ability to enjoy integrated suites of business communications and collaboration functionality. That’s especially important for medium and small businesses with limited IT resources. These businesses may not have the budgets or personnel to support on-premises UC solutions.

UCaaS solutions typically support email, team collaboration, text messaging, videoconferencing, and voice communications. Gartner says spending by mid-size enterprises today represents 24 percent of the unified communications-as-a-service market. And it expects them to account for 28 percent of that market by 2022.

The research firm recently published a mid-market enterprise UCaaS study. That report mentioned 8x8, Cisco, Dialpad, Google, Intermedia, Nextiva, RingCentral, Verizon, Vodafone, and Vonage as notable UCaaS vendors.

Edited by Maurice Nagle