Best UCaaS Platforms

UCaaS is a type of software as a service (SaaS) that provides multiple channels for communication in one platform. UCaaS platforms offer robust communication channels and features aimed at promoting efficiency and productivity in internal and external communications. UCaaS platforms include features such as instant messaging, VoIP, softphone (software for making phone calls online), CRM, SMS, and video conferencing with many other cherry-picked collaboration tools like screen sharing, whiteboarding, and file sharing. UCaaS tools are also notable because the features provided by the platform are available on multiple devices. Users can easily access communication tools provided from desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and proprietary hardware if a service provides it.

Businesses have been leveraging unified communications (UC) systems for quite some time, but older solutions require extensive hardware setup and maintenance. The IT support required to maintain these on-premises solutions was expensive and demanding on manpower. UCaaS brings unified communications systems into the future by offering all the functionality buyers are looking for in a service conveniently hosted in the cloud. The pay-as-you-go model that comes with a cloud-based solution has driven down the cost for unified communications, which has made them more widely available to non-enterprise companies.

What Does UCaaS Stand For?

UCaaS stands for unified communications as a service.

What Types of UCaaS Platforms Exist?

There are two main distinctions buyers can make when looking for UCaaS products—internal versus external use and customizability. While some UCaaS systems can be used for both internal and external communications, many are specific to internal or external use cases. Additionally, customizability is determined if the UCaaS in question is a built-to-order, single-tenant system (one platform per user) or an out-of-the-box, multi-tenant system (one platform shared by multiple users).

Internal use: UCaaS products that support internal communications provide team collaboration tools, like whiteboarding and instant messaging, on top of the VoIP and video conferencing features that buyers expect. Internal-facing UCaaS products provide integrations with content management solutions to ease file sharing and storage needs. Many UCaaS solutions are available via mobile applications, making it a convenient option for teams.

External use: UCaaS for external use serves as the backbone for call center infrastructure. Call center representatives will have multiple communication channels to leverage when interacting with customers, and UCaaS systems conforming to this use case will provide integrations with help desk software to assist with ticketing and obtaining customer information.

Single-tenant systems: A single-tenant system is built for a specific client by a UCaaS service provider. Companies can pick and choose the functionality and integrations they require out of their UCaaS, ensuring they only pay for the features they need. Single-tenant systems are a great option for companies with specific needs, like particular APIs or less extensive offerings for a small business. Single-tenant systems can potentially be very expensive. A UCaaS provider may charge extra to develop a tool with all the functionality a business wants. If a business wants an enterprise-level custom product, they can expect a price tag that reflects that functionality accordingly.

Multi-tenant systems: Multi-tenant systems are generalized, out-of-the-box UCaaS products intended for use by multiple organizations. These offerings come as they are and have comparatively fewer customization options for businesses. Businesses looking for a UCaaS system they can simply deploy and maintain may stand to save money by choosing a multi-tenant system if they don’t require any specific integrations or APIs. 

A UCaaS product is a bundle of communication channels loaded into one offering, so the features of a typical UCaaS product often look like a list of point solutions. UCaaS products can vary in what channels they provide and the other collaboration tools they feature. Listed below are many of the popular features offered by UCaaS solutions, but this list is by no means exhaustive.

Instant messaging: One of the basic features of a UCaaS is 1:1 and group instant messaging. Users can either message each other directly or send messages to a group, promoting real-time business communication and collaboration.

VoIP conferencing: Audio conferencing in UCaaS products is provided via voice over internet protocol (VoIP). Users can access VoIP-based phone systems or audio conferencing over other devices.

Video conferencing: Another stable feature of UCaaS is video-based conferencing. The audio component of the video feed is hosted via VoIP telephony. Video conferencing often features a call recording function, allowing users to save and share the video with others.

Screen sharing: Any UCaaS that provides video conferencing will also provide screen sharing. Users can easily share a live feed of their screen or a specific program, making it a great feature for a collaborative user experience.

File sharing: Users can share files using a UCaaS platform. Some UCaaS products will streamline document and content sharing by integrating directly with content management systems.

Whiteboard: UCaaS products that heavily emphasize internal collaboration often natively provide a collaborative whiteboard software within the platform. Teams can use the whiteboard during in-person meetings or web conferencing, which can assist in streamlining workflows.

Call routing: An auto attendant automatically routes calls throughout an enterprise. This type of workflow automation is especially useful for companies that require an expansive PBX phone system.

Voicemail to email: One benefit of UCaaS is the unified nature of the communication channels provided by the platform. Users can receive voicemails via email since phone calls are hosted over VoIP.

Voicemail transcription: Some UCaaS solutions can transcribe voicemails into text-based messages that are easier to store and keep track of compared to audio files.

Other Features of UCaaS Platforms: CCaaS option, Conference transcripts, Tenancy flexibility

Businesses often find point solutions for each of the communication channels they want covered. This means one product for VoIP phone services, another for business messaging, and one more for video conferencing. That also doesn’t include all the other productivity and collaboration tools teams use in conjunction with these channels. A UCaaS solution bundles all these communication channels and productivity tools into a single offering, which provides multiple benefits.

Savings: When a business covers all its communication channels with point solutions, the costs of licenses and monthly payments add up, especially for small and mid-market businesses. A UCaaS solution can bundle all communication channels, internal and external, into one platform for a business to pay for. While the initial price tag of a UCaaS product could potentially be high, the cost could be the same or higher when paying for several disparate solutions across months or years. Additionally, UCaaS customers can choose an option that allows them to only pay for the channels and features they want or a scaled-down, out-of-the-box solution to save money as well.

Increased efficiency: One issue with point solution communication software is there isn’t a guarantee that they will integrate. A conversation happening via instant messaging might become one that is better over a video feed. If a team only has point solutions to choose from, they will have to move to another application to continue, which may or may not be an easy transition. Even worse, the conversation may be put off entirely. This is especially necessary for sales or help desk representatives speaking to customers or clients in one channel who need to continue in another. When teams use UCaaS, they can move between different communications tools without leaving the application itself, streamlining conversations and ensuring users have access to the channel they need when they need it.

Enhanced collaboration potential: While businesses have the option to use point solutions for communication and collaboration, those solutions may not integrate. If they don’t, it can be problematic if users need to use multiple solutions during a conference call or collaboration session. For example, a remote team may benefit greatly from a UCaaS platform as it allows users to hold a video conference call while simultaneously whiteboarding or sharing content in real-time. The ability to use collaboration tools and conferencing solutions at the same time bolsters fruitful brainstorming sessions and meaningful conversations.