A Microsoft study reveals that by 2020, 78% of small businesses will be taking advantage of cloud computing. Most have heard about the benefits – reducing costs and boosting productivity and collaboration. With these advantages, it’s safe to say that more and more companies will continue to expand their businesses and trust in cloud computing. SMBs, in particular, are moving to the cloud to swap CapEX investments in on-site PBX equipment, to a simplified pay-as-you-go model. Users love that with Unified Communications as-a-Service (UCaaS) they get an intuitive communication platform with all the bells and whistles – IM, collaboration tools, simultaneous ring (twinning), call hand-offs, and mobile options. IT administrators also love that they don’t have to tinker with the nuts and bolts of the UC system or deal with day-to-day management. The result? UCaaS is a win-win for users and IT admins alike.

Isn’t all UCaaS the same, anyway?

As with all technology, however, not all UC cloud offerings are the same. It seems like every day new UCaaS cloud providers are popping up. There are a number of big-name UCaaS players, such as 8×8, Vonage, and RingCentral, but with these big-box UC companies, customers might worry they’ll be just a number when it comes to receiving support.

Crexendo – standing out from the pack

Because of these factors, choosing the right cloud services partner can be a daunting and time-consuming task. Just as with other technology investments, most companies have their own ‘must-have’ features and functionality list. Other considerations center around platform reliability, security, and cost. Let’s review the key questions to ask when choosing a cloud communications partner.

Do I have to pay extra for the features I want?

As you evaluate UCaaS options, you’ll notice most offer similar ‘basic’ services. These features might include voice and video calling, audio and web conferencing, voicemail, and auto attendant. After this parity, there’s often stark differences between offerings. For example, many UCaaS partners charge for additional functionality, such as mobile apps.

Crexendo, on the other hand, delivers many premium features standard, for no additional cost. The Crexendo feature set includes all the basics plus call recording, online meeting collaboration tools with web share capabilities, and an easy-to-use mobile app. Crexendo’s business dashboard also makes it easier to manage critical metrics and review real-time reports. With many robust features that come standard, Crexendo customers get so much more value for their single UCaaS investment.

What type of infrastructure is supporting my cloud UC system?

Leveraging a UC platform means that the communication infrastructure is housed off-site in a secure location, providing some geographic redundancy. What differentiates Crexendo from the rest is that the platform is built on a carrier-grade foundation, guarding against downtime; it also includes strict SLAs and policies for ensuring uptime. Even if your company’s office internet is down, Crexendo’s phone system is still able to answer and redirect calls. Since Crexendo’s mobile UC tools have the same look and feel as the desktop solution, whether your team is in the office or working remotely, they’re productive. Teams can stay connected, and communication with partners and customers is seamless. As long as your workforce is somewhere with internet access, they re-create the ‘in-office’ experience from their phone or laptop.

What about on-going maintenance and warranties?

One of the most eye-catching benefits of UCaaS is that it reduces monthly operational costs without sacrificing the features your team needs most. But what happens when there’s maintenance required on the system? Or you experience an issue? Unlike many other UC partners that nickel and dime for installation and support, Crexendo manages it all. They also have experts available 24x7x365 for live phone support. Crexendo also provides a no-cost warranty on all of its phones for the life of the customer. We also deliver free software updates every six to eight weeks – without any downtime to end-users.

Are you looking for greater value?

If you’d like to learn more about what UCaaS can do for your business, please get in touch! At Crexendo, we’re proud to consistently deliver a complete UCaaS solution with the latest and greatest telecom features at no additional costs to customers. Email us to learn why our system is the most versatile and productive UCaaS system money can buy. Don’t wait!