Cloud communications and the voice network

Enterprises across the globe adopted a work from home model for business continuity during the pandemic. This led to a revamping of traditional B2B communication channels, be it communication within the organisation, or with external suppliers and business partners. In this blog Nirav Shah, head of Global SIP Connect GTM for India and APAC, explores the evolution of cloud communication.

The evolution continues even now. As the modern workforce grows increasingly mobile, the employees are no longer bound to their desks. In the ‘Future Workforce Report 2021: How Remote Work is Changing Businesses Forever’ report, Upwork states that pre-pandemic, businesses expected that in five years 38% of their remote workforce would be fully remote, while today they expect 58% to be fully remote in five years.

Enterprises had to accelerate their move to, and use of, cloud communications during the pandemic. With the increase in remote workforce, enterprises have started putting polices around remote workers and cloud communications.

“It is now possible to provide instant access to a rich selection of essential tools and applications, all available on the same platform, regardless of the worker’s location or the device you use.”

Cloud communications is a brand-new way to build, deploy and manage communication systems. It refers to more than just a hosted PBX or IP telephone. Used correctly, the cloud reduces costs, provides high-definition services and offers platforms that are rich with advanced features – all perfect for any enterprise’s communication needs. The cloud also transforms the work environment from a traditional physical workplace to a series of empowering communications tools and platforms, truly allowing employees to work remotely. Businesses can provide their employees with instant access to PSTN as an extension and other collaborative tools with voice, messaging, and video capabilities.

How to choose a suitable voice partner

The path to cloud communications starts with finding the right service provider. Cloud communications service providers or CSPs host the cloud platform. Relying on such CSPs is risky since they promote only on-net communications and not the integrated platform that is required.

“Organisations need to typically collaborate with different communication platforms based on their ecosystem of partners and customers and therefore, end up investing in multiple platforms. This eventually adds a huge operating cost to the bottom line.”

Telcos help mitigate such risks. Today, telcos have evolved to offer cloud communications in partnership with multiple platform providers – whether they are collaboration offerings or solutions for the contact centre. The advantages of going for such an option include:

– Industry grade telco infrastructure for cloud
– Access services bundled with cloud communications
– Multiple platform-licences, thus reducing multivendor sprawl.

So how do you choose the right telecom partner for cloud communications?

–  The PSTN connectivity to your platform should be able to support full control and strength of cloud communication.
–  The telco should be able to provide access services from multiple countries for making a centralised and managed cloud platform.
–  The telecom partner should have capabilities to align with enterprise expansion/contraction plans, thereby optimising the cost of business operations.
– The telecom partner should be nimble and able to work with most, if not all platforms since customers might want to reduce costs and move from one CSP to another, as the total ROI of cloud communication can vary from platform to platform.

Tata Communications – global cloud communications ready network

Tata Communications offers a robust voice solution to enterprises for their cloud communication journey.

Tata Communications Bring Your Own Platform enables enterprises to connect to the cloud platform of their choice, with seamless integration between PSTN and the cloud communications platform.

Tata Communications connects with 400+ mobile operators and 1600+ Telecom operators in various countries and provides access service for business continuity of enterprises from across the globe with carrier partner agreements. Tata Communications offers international toll-free services from 100+ countries, local number services from 46+ countries with 1000+ cities and PSTN replacement services with emergency calling in 28+ countries. With experience of 15 years plus a dedicated professional team, Tata Communications partners with enterprises as they expand their business globally.

To learn more about Tata Communications Voice Services, click here.