As business leaders turn to cloud-sourced solutions to navigate the challenges of a diverse, increasingly fragmented workforce, there's been a marked increase in companies investing in unified communications. And as these things go, there's also been a dramatic rise in companies promising exemplary NexGen communications services. Some have years of industry-specific experience and a reputation for excellence; others do not. If you're not careful, you could end up with a partnership that doesn't meet your expectations or worse. Whether you're investigating the option of a corporate-wide rollout or a phased migration, there are five things you'll want to look for in a NexGen communications provider before signing on the dotted line.
Related: Which Capabilities Make a Cloud Communications Company “The Best?"
NexGen Business Solutions: 5 Things to Know Before Investing in the Future of Communications
The present and future success of nearly any business largely depend on the organization's ability to respond and adapt to change. That change isn't always easy, at least at first, but it is inevitable. For example, back in the spring of 2020, less than 45% of IT decision-makers intended to migrate to the cloud entirely. Only two years later, the actual numbers are much higher. With market analysts predicting the unified communications as a service (UCaaS) market will reach $87 billion by 2031, NexGen telecom services are the future of business communications. The solution helps companies reduce overhead costs, streamline their processes, maximize efficiency, and adapt to the demands of a hybrid business model.
As you're investigating some of the many ways partnering with the right company could benefit your brand, you've likely discovered that NexGen service providers bring much more to the table than you might expect. But finding the right platform for your organization is a challenging task. You're making a far too important decision to base on price alone. As you narrow your search, you'll also want to know how each service provider measures up in the following areas.
#1 – Customization Options or Custom-Build Unification
A UCaaS platform specializing in services developed for retailers within a niche industry may have little experience working with healthcare companies looking for secure connectivity between multiple locations. Before committing, look for a provider well-versed in your industry. Ideally, you'll want to partner with a company able to address your current needs while also anticipating how your requirements might change in the future. At the very least, the provider you select should be able to come up with a customized bundle of solutions and offer enough flexibility to accommodate changes as your business evolves.
#2 – Disaster Recovery Capabilities
Having a plan before disaster strikes can help keep your business from becoming an unfortunate statistic. As you compare NexGen communications services, take note of their disaster recovery capabilities. Ideally, you'll want a provider that offers automatic disruption detection and enough built-in redundancy to ensure your business continues to receive calls during internet outages, power outages, or gateway failures. The best companies can detect connection failures within milliseconds and take real-time action to ensure uninterrupted service.
#3 – System Security Features
Most NexGen providers go to great lengths to ensure your calls are private, sensitive information encrypted, and video collaborations secure. But you may need more than standard data storage security for your organization. Look for (or ask about) protocols like multi-factor authentication (MFA) protected data security, transport layer security (TLS), and secure real-time transport protocols. If you have a global reach, look for SD-WAN technology. You'll also want to consider how a NexGen communications platform might compare to another in terms of utilizing the latest encryption tools, security analytics, or threat assessment tools to detect and deter fraudulent activity. Finding a trusted provider should be simple, even if your business requires industry-specific security compliance like HIPPA, PCI (payment card industry), or DSS (data security standard).
#4 – Application Integration
Business owners choose NexGen communications services for their user-friendly, cost-effective functionality. Although you'll typically find an impressive selection of integrated features, some "one-stop shops" offer much more flexibility than others. Before committing, take a moment to verify the vendor supports third-party application integration. While it may initially seem a relatively minor issue, enabling third-party integration helps ensure your chosen communication solution merges seamlessly with your existing ecosystem. Sacrificing the third-party applications your teams rely on could negatively impact overall productivity, profitability, and workplace satisfaction, at least temporarily.
#5 – Experience, Support, & Long-Term Reliability
It takes planning, preparation, and collaboration to migrate a business to the cloud. Working with an experienced, reputable company makes the transition a lot easier. When you want assurances that you're partnering with a NexGen provider capable of committing to a long-term relationship, consider company history, any awards or achievements the company earned, and the organization's level of commitment to consumer satisfaction. Since any company can claim they offer the latest technology, advanced security, unparalleled reliability, or exemplary service, take a few minutes to confirm those assertions by reading customer reviews, industry-specific success stories, and the organization's business ratings.
Related: How to Evaluate UCaaS Providers: A Comparison Guide
Could Your Business Benefit from NexGen Communications Services?
Ready to learn about how your company could benefit from NexGen communications services?
At BCM One, we work with mid-sized, multi-site organizations to develop secure, compliant, cost-effective business communication solutions. We also offer world-class customer service and support and work alongside your team to tackle every challenge. Visit BCM One to learn more about our next-generation communications solutions or managed services, browse our resources, or contact us.
