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The terms VoIP (voice over internet protocol) and UCaaS (unified communications as a service) are often used interchangeably. When you’re on the hunt for cloud-based communication technologies, though, it’s important to understand that VoIP and UCaaS are actually two different solutions.

There are unique goals and benefits for each service – and different reasons for a business to choose one over the other.

VoIP: Voice Service From Anywhere

VoIP is phone service that’s delivered over the internet. It offers a multitude of benefits over a legacy phone system:

  • Predictable, monthly invoices that are less expensive than paying per call
  • Enhanced features that improve upon traditional voice systems, like voice-to-text transcription
  • Easy mobility because VoIP lines can be used from any device connected to the internet
  • A scalable solution where you only pay for what you’re using at any time
  • Calls can be forwarded to any device, so VoIP is reliable even if the internet connection goes down

VoIP is an effective solution for businesses still relying on legacy, premise-based phone systems – which are becoming obsolete in the face of a changing modern workforce. Organizations with remote employees or flexible work arrangements can give their workers the voice service they need with a VoIP solution.

These systems are easy to set up and require little to no physical infrastructure change, making VoIP appealing to small businesses. Providers handle support, so a company with a small or no internal IT team can still take advantage of VoIP service without any hassle.

UCaaS: Simple, Effective Collaboration

UCaaS is a cloud-based service that unifies business communication across a single platform that’s hosted by a provider. This means UCaaS gives you access not only to internet-based voice calling, but also:

  • Easy access to all collaboration features from any device.
  • Call recording and analytics to help enhance customer service.
  • Collaboration tools that help facilitate remote work, including video conferencing, desktop sharing, file sharing, and more.
  • Presence, a feature that gives visibility into team member availability.
  • Easy integration with your business’s existing software and applications.
  • Flexible scalability that allows you to add or remove users as needed.

UCaaS is hosted by a provider, which is a big draw for many businesses as it minimizes the need for internal expertise or support. For companies with workers in remote or hybrid arrangements, a managed services provider is a valuable resource that ensures the entire staff – whether in office or remote – has the support they need to communicate and collaborate effectively.

Businesses that implement UCaaS also tend to save on costs. Just like VoIP, it’s billed predictably on a monthly basis, so there are no surprise phone charges that ratchet up invoice totals. Because UCaaS is cloud-based, there’s no big upfront capital expenditure, so making the migration isn’t just simple – it’s also cost-effective.

Which Platform Is Right for You?

The VoIP versus UCaaS decision is important, but not necessarily easy to make. If you’re still unsure which direction your business should go, the experts at Access One can help. We offer a variety of voice and collaboration solutions and will guide you to the one that best suits your needs. Contact us today to get started.