Tired of hearing about the benefits of “hosted VoIP”? Think that the phrase “hosted VoIP” is about as worn out as the old pair of sneakers you should have thrown out years ago? So does VoIP solutions provider Smoothstone.
Instead of harping on and on about “hosted VoIP,” Smoothstone is focusing its attention on an even newer, more cutting-edge approach to communications applications and services: converged communications as a service (or CCaaS for short).
Just what is CCaaS? It’s the combination of software applications used to deliver voice communications, with converged IP networks and the software-as-a-service model. Smoothstone’s vision of VoIP communications, and one which the company thinks all VoIP service providers should be preparing for, is a world in which hosted VoIP services are delivered in the same way as hosted software.
But, Smoothstone is taking this concept of on-demand delivery one step further by focusing strongly on the service aspect. Service as in, “I pay you to do or manage something for me.” In this case the service, which Smoothstone refers to as “managed” rather than “hosted,” is a complete communications system that includes everything from dial tone to automatic call distribution (ACD ) to videoconferencing.
The power of CCaaS, Smoothstone believes, lies in its unifying effect on communications not only for VoIP service provider but for customers as well. Instead of having to procure and manage a bunch of separate, siloed legacy networks, customers will have access to a VoIP software and services package delivered over a network connection from an externally hosted platform.
Smoothstone already has embraced the CCaaS model; in fact, the company says that it actually invented the concept is now working hard to stay out in front of the race as other providers catch on to the sea change and shift their service models in response.
CCaaS offers many advantages for customers. Some of these are:
- Liberates IT staff to focus on high-value network maintenance tasks
- Simplifies processes needed to keep employees at geographically dispersed offices in touch with one another
- Offers much faster provider response time to service requests
- Reduces monthly costs
- Virtual nature of system enables seamless moves between physical offices
- Enhanced mobility features enables creation of virtual call centers and other remote-worker setups
- More inbound calling flexibility to help call centers respond to fluctuating call volume
Clearly, CCaaS offers some pretty compelling cost and efficiency benefits. Are you on board with the revolution? To learn more, please visit Smoothstone’s TMCnet.com channel, VoIP Service Providers.
Mae Kowalke previously wrote for Cleveland Magazine in Ohio and The Burlington Free Press in Vermont. To see more of her articles, please visit Mae Kowalke’s columnist page. Also check out her Wireless Mobility blog. Automated Call Distribution (ACD) | X | A device used to distribute incoming calls to specific sets of users based on pre-determined criteria....more |
Internet Protocol (IP) | X | IP stands for Internet Protocol, a data-networking protocol developed throughout the 1980s. It is the established standard protocol for transmitting and receiving data
in packets over the Internet. I...more |
Voice over IP (VoIP) | X | A real-time communications system that converts voice into digital packets containing media and signaling data that travel over networks using Internet Protocol....more |
Hosted VoIP | X | The primary benefit HIPT-Hosted Internet Protocol Telephony is an outsourced hosted solution like a hosted website of IP voice telephony with dynamic data. This is often referred to as "everything is...more |
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