July 4th 2024
THE FUTURE OF UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS (UC)
The way we communicate has changed drastically over the last few years.
The COVID-19 pandemic drove this shift, with workplaces relying solely on Unified Communications (UC) technology. As we progress on our digital transformation journey, UC's capabilities will advance, bringing new tools to streamline business communications for good.
So what does the future of UC hold, and how can you prepare for it?
What Is Unified Communications?
Unified Communications is an all-encompassing term for systems that centralise phone calls, video conferences, content sharing and instant messaging (IM) in one place.
The purpose of UC is to improve workflows, productivity and user experience. Jumping from application to application is no longer necessary - instead, you can cut software costs and rely on a single platform.
UC technology includes Voice over IP (VoIP) phone systems, which support live communication (i.e., phone calls) on any device from any location. These hosted phone systems can also advance into Unified Communications and Collaboration (UCC), which combines real-time and asynchronous functionalities (more on this below).
How Will Unified Communications Change?
1 - Integration of Generative AI & Machine Learning
Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will take UC platforms to a new level. These technologies learn and adapt to user behaviours, anticipating needs before they arise.
AI will streamline admin tasks from meetings, calls and lengthy online chats, giving you more time to focus on what you do best.
Office 365 is a prime example of how AI is being rolled out. The personal AI assistant, Copilot, gathers key insights with data cross-applications, generates action items in Teams’ meetings and creates powerful data assets from a few simple prompts.
2 - Centralising Collaboration & Communication
These days, businesses want simplicity. As opposed to using multiple vendors, businesses will shift to all-in-one UCC systems that can integrate communication and collaboration tools.
Popular UCC platforms include Office 365, which can handle everything from voice and video calls on Microsoft Teams to document storage and live document collaboration.
Other integrated systems, like Collaborate, allow you to communicate seamlessly with stakeholders without needing several apps. These tools are rising - especially as thousands of businesses prepare for the ISDN Switch Off.
The ISDN Switch-off has been delayed until 2027. Our blog reveals what will happen between now and 2027.
3 - Increased Cyber Security Practices
IT security is a higher priority than ever. As cyber threats increase, UC platforms will integrate more robust security measures to protect against sophisticated attacks like phishing, ransomware and denial-of-service (DoS).
While most UC platforms have built-in security features, we expect to see an increase in AI and machine learning to identify and respond to threats in real time.
These security risks are a bigger concern for those with a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. Along with security advancements in UC platforms, businesses must also protect communications at a device level, using integrations like Mobile Device Management (MDM).
Future Proof Your Business with Lily
As digital transformation experts, we’ll help your business stay connected, flexible and more efficient than ever with our award-winning UC solutions.
Interested in making the switch? Contact our team to get started.