Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS) powers video and voice collaboration and communications on platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, among others. These two popular platforms offer video conferencing, file sharing, and even telephony, which can help with collaboration and which require a strong network. Read on to learn more about what these solutions have to offer, and how you can prepare your company’s network.
Platforms for a Hybrid Workforce
Zoom and Microsoft Teams are both good platforms for a remote or hybrid workforce. They both allow workers and groups of workers to communicate and collaborate, with Teams allowing as many as 10,000 participants in one meeting. Each offers its own benefits, and both allow workers, customers and vendors to stay in touch all over the world. Whichever option is best for your organization depends on your company’s needs. Microsoft Team offers communication tools like videoconferencing, along with integration with MS 365. Zoom offers videoconferencing and chat, and can integrate with Microsoft Teams. In terms of security, Microsoft Teams offers end-to-end data encryption and multi-factor authentication as part of its package, and end-to-end encryption is also an option with Zoom. Both platforms can operate on a cloud-based UCaaS basis, integrating different modes of communication and making licensing simpler.
Preparing Your Network for UCaaS
Unified Communications as a Service can help your employees collaborate and get work done easily; however, it requires a strong network, with Internet connection points and sufficient bandwidth. A good first step is auditing your network, to determine its capability to handle traffic and stay connected to the cloud. Endpoints–devices like laptops and phones–need to be connected to the cloud service provider’s network, ensuring the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate. Along with connectivity, your company needs to have enough bandwidth to support high call volumes and videoconferencing with multiple participants. One way to ensure sufficient bandwidth is spending more on wide-area networking (WAN), purchasing more bandwidth. Or your company can connect directly to a cloud service provider’s network, with the UCaaS provider being a part of the network. Using Software-Defined Wide-Area Networking offers a broadband solution to transmit data (such as in file sharing) and provide uninterrupted voice and video connectivity.
Using UCaaS for communication and collaboration offers many benefits, and requires consideration of the strength of your network. For assistance in preparing your network or assessing its readiness, contact us today.