Unified Communications (UC) as the solution concept has been always confusing for the enterprises that want to adopt the technology or those who want to create the product for the challenges. The growing business challenges and requirements are shaping up the Unified Communication technology over the course of development. In 2018, most of the enterprises that developed Unified Communication solution regarded it imperative that the users that want to adopt the solutions need to satisfy our underlying software and network requirements, making it impossible for the smaller enterprises to adopt such solutions.
In 2019, many enterprises are creating sophisticated UC solutions that can work in a dynamic environment.
LET’S LOOK AT SOME OF THE UNIFIED COMMUNICATION TRENDS WE MIGHT SEE IN 2019
1. All Out Competition
Microsoft and Cisco are the top solution providers for unified communication and this has resulted in a race of odds between them. The Microsoft team and the WebEx team are actually making the battle interesting with their offerings. Both the enterprises are currently pushing their message of Unified Communication for all needs and securing the infrastructure. For users, it will depend on the offerings and also the communication requirements that can help solve the underlying technical problem.
The interoperability of the applications that can help any enterprise to use best of both the solution provider still looks difficult. Currently, many of the third party service providers are available for the interoperability of Microsoft and Cisco Endpoints that will be an effective solution. In 2019, many of the enterprises will seek more cohesive solutions that can help reduce the third party dependency.
2. Prepare for Cloud Disruption
Cloud will become an imperative part of the technology sector and it will keep growing. But the organizations have to prepare for the significant changes that arrive with the technology. Cloud is a cost-saving option for enterprises but it also means that you need to train your staff for cloud technology and also end-user adoption programs.
Cloud Unified Communications need to solve the next generation challenges that will make the cloud adoption either cumbersome or pricy. With AI and APIs are making their way which will result that UC-as-a-service platforms for the enterprises. Cloud and UC are going to be solutions for better mobility and solution oriented but the enterprises need to think over the aspect of the total network.
3. The innovation of Artificial Intelligence
Automation can help the enterprises reduce the efforts for the workflow and also ease the process by building efficiency. Many enterprises are finding innovative ways using which they will be able to automate many of the process flows. Self-service and bots that can reduce the stress on the contact center by creating more conversational tones for the customers. AI can offer various benefits for UC users but enterprises need to be more practical and employable to fit this criterion.
AI is more of a solution for the enterprises that want to solve the current crunches in the security premise than the solution for the contact center. Enterprises that are using the AI bot for different customer service have employed them for specific query resulting in simple algorithm development.
4. Designing the experience
Conference rooms are being redesigned to become more dynamic and technologically efficient so that you can easily induct changes. As the enterprises want to improve the communication and collaboration between teams the underlying solution for many of them will be a need for Unified Communication that doesn’t become a barrier for the technology. Remote collaboration and local screen sharing are quickly becoming a part of unified communication capability.
Unified Communication (UC) needs to have better collaborative tools that help connect with a remote team with ease and reducing the underlying technology requirements.
Challenges for the UC
With the development of Unified Communication (UC),there are underlying challenges that need to be solved in the application and innovation of communication. Enterprises that deal with multiple apps and development issues can take inputs from different solution providers to reduce the barriers.
HERE IS THE LIST OF UNIFIED COMMUNICATION PROVIDERS THAT WE HAVE TO WATCH OUT IN 2019
1. Avaya
Avaya is an American multinational company that deals with business communication especially catering to Unified Communication. The company deals with different communication applications and new innovative technology that can help reduce communication barriers. Avaya Aura provides end to end solutions for UC as a service.
2. Cisco
Cisco provides Unified Communication services to the enterprises that can cater to modern requirements such as mobility requirement and can be used for different devices. Cisco also offers cloud solutions for the UC that can be used by smaller enterprises.
3. Microsoft
Microsoft provides the Unified Communication solution but it specifically holds the Collaboration with the third party partners. The cloud PBX solution for different voice and messaging features is offered in the UC solution. Skype for business is a different application than Skype; they differ in applicability as for business and personal use respectively.
4. Unify
Unify provides enterprises with software-based solutions that include voice, web collaboration, contact center, and networking products. The company was formed in 2008 and now is present in more than 100 countries around the world.
5. Polycom
Polycom was enterprise founded in 1990, which has all type of content collaboration. It also provides high definition video conferencing with low bandwidth utilization. The underlying hardware supports from Polycom can support all types of content sharing and conferencing requirements.
Unified Communication (UC) solution providers have to deal with different barriers that include legacy equipment’s along with application requirements. The needs for innovation that will help cater to different needs of enterprises without curbing down the security and mobility. The demand for Unified Communication Solution is dependent on the security of the communication and it will be challenges for the providers. To know more about the Unified Communication solutions, you can download our whitepapers.