It’s not uncommon for someone to showcase a smartphone to you and declare it the only phone they need for their enterprise. However, the UCaaS market remains strong because they offer advanced calling features, and as a result, most organizations have decided to make the switch.
Cloud has dominated the cloud vs. on-premises debate regarding voice communications. Most businesses are moving to the cloud and increasingly choosing a UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) model as part of that migration. One benefit of moving voice to the cloud is that it often comes with a complete UCaaS offering, which enables internal and external communication across various devices, replacing a voice-only solution.
The communication needs of most businesses have now outpaced the capabilities of a legacy PBX. Employees are increasingly working from home or another remote location. As a result, cloud-based communications continue rapid growth as companies recognize the flexibility, simplicity, and lower overhead cost associated with a cloud solution.
STARTING STEPS
Rather than simply replacing an old phone system with a new one, utilize this opportunity to provide enhanced unified communications capabilities, including messaging and meetings, that make your workers more productive and effective. Your phone solution should seamlessly enable users to transition between meetings, callings, and chats. It should also provide an intuitive experience across various devices, from mobile to desktop or desk phone.
INVEST IN A PLAN
Once your company has decided to migrate, the next step would be to create a plan with the help of our Trusted Advisors. The planning stage of migration is critical and will pay for itself in terms of saved time, money, and frustration. Make sure you develop a comprehensive migration plan for all sites, including the employees who will be actively involved in the transition and their assigned roles and responsibilities.
We recommend a transition period where the on-prem and the cloud systems are both there and start the data migration. Then there are the applications that interface to the phone system that will need to be migrated over. In addition, we will make sure your network can support the new system.
📝 Helpful Hint: A UC migration is also a great opportunity to identify any outdated telecom infrastructure that your organization no longer needs, such as old devices or orphaned phone lines. By removing these, you can directly impact ROI and further justify your migration to the new enterprise cloud communications platform.
THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATIONS
There are various reasons why a company is considering transition to a UCaaS system, such as the age of the prem system, not wanting to manage the on-site system anymore, or simply wanting your system to scale better and support remote offices. No matter what, there are numerous questions to consider when migrating:
- Are all UCaaS systems the same?
Do not cut corners when migrating a system the organization heavily depends on because not all UC solutions are the same. Adopting a poorly designed and implemented cloud solution can lead to compromised enterprise communications that negatively impact your internal staff, operations, and customers. Getting your migration right the first time is vital.
- What current features will transfer?
Be careful if you have built current business processes to work tightly with your on-prem systems. Some UC features are “easier” in an on-prem system, and some features are older and maybe not available on a newer UCaaS system (fax, analog phones, hot desking/hoteling)
Helpful tip: If you have some favorite features or essential older technology to support, make sure you ask. Do not assume it will work with your new UCaaS system!
- How do communications requirements for each site help meet my business objectives?
Your contact center may require omnichannel communications with customers across phone, text, and email, while your data center may require large data pipes but need only limited communication functionality. Thinking about specific requirements for your business objectives will help Convergent identify the most appropriate infrastructure for each site location.
GET THE SUPPORT YOU NEED
Choose a company with a robust UC and consulting portfolio so you will be supported throughout the migration process. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your provider should create a tailored strategy for your organization, along with robust guidelines for employees to follow and a dedicated support team to help reduce the impact of migration on your daily operations, while maintaining business continuity during the transition.
Convergent can help make your migration to cloud-based unified communications simple by helping you plan your next steps and provide the support to enhance your ability to connect, collaborate and conduct business. Whether you are looking for video conferencing, phone systems for your office, call center, or collaboration solutions for teams, we can deliver a wide range of cloud communication solutions to suit your needs.
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