The modern workplace requires connecting employees, offices, and companies worldwide, so companies need technologies that enable clear, effective, and easy collaboration. There is a clear trend toward cloud-based subscription services, but businesses must understand where UCC is heading in the next few years so they can build their technology roadmaps and invest in value-driven and scalable solutions.
By 2025, the UCC market will be worth $167.1 billion, according to one report. Companies that don’t invest in UCC won’t be able to compete. It’s not just large enterprises focusing on UCC—small to medium businesses are expected to be the fastest-growing segment, according to Grand View Research.
Read more for a look at what to expect in UCC trends.
these ucc changes will affect forward-looking companies
Technology is more accessible than ever—even to smaller organizations. Secure hybrid and cloud technologies lower the costs of UCC and level the playing field. Small businesses support remote workforces using UCC to lower overhead costs, while international enterprises use these solutions to streamline productivity and customer support. Consider these driving forces in UCC as you plan for technology investments and support:
- The UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) market will continue to grow, thanks to demand for BYOD solutions. Hosted UCC solutions give organizations the functionality of onsite solutions with the flexibility and support of the cloud. Businesses can expect large companies—including Microsoft—to continue to offer UCaaS services as smaller vendors begin to develop custom and integrated apps. Many employers support their employees’ desires for flexible and collaborative environments, and UCaaS solutions allow them to do that without the expense and inconvenience of bulky onsite solutions.
- UCC will continue to focus on mobility. Mobile-friendly solutions will complement the increase in UCaaS. These solutions will allow employees to work anywhere, using any device. UCC solutions that support employee mobility will enhance productivity while decreasing the total cost of ownership (TCO) associated with onsite solutions. Mobility lets employees connect with colleagues and clients from flex spaces, traditional offices, at home, or on the road.
- Organizations will prioritize both video and real-time messaging. A phone or video call can take up more time than needed if it’s used to address a simple matter. On the other hand, calls can save time when participants need to discuss complex issues because back-and-forth messaging can be time-consuming and create misunderstanding. Voice, video, and real-time messaging all have their place in UCC, and users should have a choice when it comes to instantaneous communication. Real-time voice, video, chat, and content sharing functionality streamline communication at every point of the daily workflow.
- “As-a-Service”-style solutions will continue to grow and overshadow traditional UCC. AV-as-a-Service (AVaaS), Video Conferencing-as-a-Service (VCaaS), and UCaaS represent three service models that are transforming segments in the UCC market. Even Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) may lower the cost of use while improving support and update models. Service-based solution models often take the strain of support off IT departments while improving security and functionality.
- BYOD will continue to boost cloud adoption rates. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies allow employees to work with the hardware they know and use each day. Combined with secure, cloud-based solutions, businesses can use BYOD to improve adoption rates while lowering the costs associated with UCC. BYOD enhances workplace flexibility, innovation, and productivity when combined with integrated UCC solutions.
- Companies will be even more strategic with their UCC investments. Modern collaboration requires much more than a single tool or approach. Technology managers must align collaboration tools with goals. However, there are more choices than ever, complicating the decision-making process. Instead of purchasing solutions with narrow functionality, companies will need to prioritize integration, scalability, analytics, and user-friendliness on an enterprise-wide scale. UCC needs to encompass all communication and collaboration activities for the investment to make financial sense.
stay ahead of ucc trends
Companies can position themselves for success even as new technologies disrupt the UCC market. Using an agile approach to collaboration tools, organizations of all sizes can meet employee, client, and other stakeholder expectations well into 2022 and beyond. Have questions about what your company should do about UCC? Ask a ClarkPowell expert.
