September 3, 2024
According to Forbes, around 94% of all enterprises globally presently employ cloud software. With more teams working remotely and organisations embracing digital, it's no surprise that enterprises are selecting cloud-based solutions. They provide benefits like cost reductions and the ability to work from anywhere, which were difficult to foresee only a few years ago.
Curious about cloud-based communication, its benefits, and how to select the best software? Check out our article to learn more!
To survive and prosper, any business, regardless of size, must communicate effectively. Communication is more vital than ever in today's fast-changing, but always competitive corporate environment. Fortunately, effective communication has never been easier, owing to one thing: cloud communications.
Simply said, cloud communications are internet-based applications that enable effective voice and data communication over the cloud. The cloud is growing increasingly popular in modern computing, and it is currently the dominating force in enterprises throughout the world.
It is anticipated that by 2025, the public cloud industry will be valued at more than $800 billion. This will benefit both businesses and customers, while also presenting prospects for development for firms that use the cloud for communication.
Business communications have been greatly revolutionised by cloud-based communication which has led to improved flexibility, scalability, and overall cost. Using cloud technology, different operations in an organisation can be made efficient such that communication between employees is made easy regardless of the location they are working from. This has become very important, especially in the current world where most workers are working remotely making up different teams across the country or globally.
One of the major effects that are related to cloud-based communication is an increase in real-time collaboration. New applications such as video conferencing, real-time communication, and sharing of documents through the internet enhance constant communication and thus create a flexible work environment. It not only boosts efficiency but also fastens the decision-making procedure more than anything else.
Thus, cloud-based solutions eliminate the need to invest in a host of infrastructures to support the technology and decrease operational costs. This means that companies can expand or shrink the size of their communication apparatus to suit their needs and they only pay for what they consume. This flexibility is required when operating in capricious markets as it provides for the possibility to immediately respond to any changes.
Also, frequent cloud communication improves data security compliance and protection. They usually use high levels of protection and updating, contributing to the security of the important data.
The use of cloud-based communication in business has far-reaching effects. It not only enhances communication but also integrates financial viability and highly secure means, which are vital to contemporary industries.
Cloud-based solutions have revolutionised the way businesses communicate and collaborate. Here, we’ll explore three prominent services that exemplify cloud communications: telephony, messaging, and video communication.
Cloud telephony, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), enables business organisations to make calls over the Internet instead of making use of the traditional public switched telephone networks (PSTNs). Such service as MightyCall serves as an example. Some of the functions available include:
All these help organisations to be efficient in how they handle communication. The flexibility of telephony in the cloud is an enhancement; it is possible to acquire or dispose of lines if required, without worrying about tangible structures. Moreover, through integrated analytics, call quality and employee performance can be measured and thus optimised through results analysis.
Communication applications are now very important when working in teams using computers. Slack and Microsoft Teams are platforms that bring all communication into one place, thereby enabling users to send instant messages, share and also exchange files, and integrate third-party apps. They improve efficiency since they replace emails that sometimes contain many unnecessary documents and quick information transfers.
For example, Slack can boast of:
Also, with mobile applications present, the team members can be connected and be part of the collaboration even with the remote work type of environment.
Conferencing and video communication are among the most rapidly developing trends tied to remote workstreams. Communication software such as Zoom, and Kumospace among others offer solid tools for hosting virtual meetings, webinars, and collaborative sessions.
Among the regular features Kumospace can offer the following:
These tools enable individuals to meet virtually in person, can share screens and all the sessions can be recorded for future use. Flooring like the breakout rooms provides for side meetings during large meetings; this is beneficial in increasing the level of participation. The integration of the calendar makes it easy to schedule and join meetings making these platforms convenient.
Cloud technology provides a variety of services, one of which is cloud communications. Cloud communications may provide value to organisations in a variety of ways, including providing a contemporary, simplified experience for all of their needs.
The epidemic has created several problems, including the need for businesses to adjust to shifting surroundings. Working from home has become the new normal. Cloud technology enables company continuity and remote working. It provides several on-demand technological services, which are maintained by an external cloud service provider. They are responsible for the hardware and technology. You only need an internet connection and any kind of gadget. You can be anywhere in the globe.
Cloud communications are the services provided by cloud providers for telephone systems. The system is outsourced to a cloud provider, so there is no requirement for a physical office or on-premises gear to manage the phone system.
The era of demanding a real office place has passed. Cloud technology enables the outsourcing of equipment. For instance, having a physical, on-premises server is no longer essential. It is now feasible to create virtual servers using cloud technologies. The same may now be said for communication systems. Phone systems do not have to be on-premises. You only need a headset and a computer. The cloud provider takes care of the hardware and software maintenance, eliminating the need for on-premises labour.
Expanding on the previous point, cloud technology reduces the high expense of owning hardware while also being on-demand, which means you only pay for the resources you use every month. This type of pricing might be beneficial for organisations since it allows them to plan ahead of time and avoid unforeseen maintenance expenditures. They do not have to worry about technology being obsolete and needing to be upgraded.
Cloud communications make your job easier by allowing you to link various business technologies, such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems and email.
For example, if a site visitor fills out a contact form on your website, their information is instantly entered into your CRM, resulting in an automated email to your sales staff. This simplifies follow-ups and keeps everyone in the loop.
The technology also helps you lessen the likelihood of making mistakes by automating repetitive processes like data input, allowing you to focus on the most critical aspects of your profession.
Cloud communications provide more opportunities to communicate with colleagues and exchange information. They provide access to capabilities like video conferencing, instant messaging, and sophisticated VoIP telephony that are not available on traditional phone systems.
This means you can chat, text, and see each other in real-time or interact asynchronously from anywhere, making collaborating and staying in contact much easier.
Businesses receive a plethora of benefits from cloud communications but at the same time consider security as a major concern. The first idea is the need for the stored data protection. Whenever information is shared through the cloud, it can be accessed by individuals who ought not to have that knowledge hence the need for a proper method of encryption that protects data while in transit as well as those that are at rest.
Of course, another problem is compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA when the business has to deal with data responsibly. This puts pressure on the organisations to select cloud providers who meet these standards, which makes vendor choice challenging.
It also concerns identity management as well. With many people logging into the SaaS communication tools, there should be a necessity to incorporate authentication measures like MFA.
More to that, organisations are exposed to risks concerning service disruptions or service breakdowns. Disconnection can cause interruption of communication as well as affect the normal running of the business. It is therefore important to have an additional plan for the activities; this will involve other systems and other ways of communication.
Last but not least; the model based on shared responsibilities of services and applications in cloud computing limits the security accountability of cloud service providers as well as users. It’s important for organisations to be aware of their contribution to achieving security and have frequently scheduled cloud solutions to be checked for security holes.
Therefore, it is important to conclude that adopting cloud communications improves flexibility and collaboration possibilities but at the same time, they expose the organisations to certain risks that should be addressed.
This form of cloud-based communication is expected to experience significant evolution in the foreseeable future given the progression in technology as well as the shifting style of working. With the coming of the paradigm shift of working from home, many organisations have had to turn to cloud solutions to enable them to effectively communicate and work together. Applications such as video calls, chat, and project management are developing in terms of integration meaning that they become one single application to use now.
Let us, therefore, identify how artificial intelligence (AI) will feature in this transition. More advanced use of artificial intelligence: Integrated human-like chatbots and voice-activated assistants will help to optimise customers’ communication and time. Further, concerning the use of the algorithms, the use of big data and machine learning algorithms will extend the possibilities of data analysis for various organisations and provide an improved understanding of the communication patterns and better organisation of work.
As for security, it still remains one of the main tasks; advances in the sphere of encryption and identity are used to protect data. In the future, the regulatory demands are bound to change and this will put pressure on the cloud providers to change as well to continue to adhere to the new set of regulations.
Further, the rapid advancement in the 5G technology can provide the best provision for connectivity paths between the devices so that communication can be faster and more reliable. This will in turn enhance remote operation and enhance international cooperation.
The future of cloud-based communication looks bright, more efficient, secure, and flexible. In addition, it is an important tool that cannot be underestimated by organisations in a changing world.
Cloud-based communication is transforming company communications by increasing flexibility, lowering costs, and allowing for easy scaling. As more firms adopt remote work, cloud-based solutions become increasingly important.
