In the previous parts of this series, we explored what Unified Communications (UC) is and its key benefits in the context of the hospitality industry. Now, let’s focus on selecting the right UC platform and provider for your hospitality business. Consider the following factors when making this important decision:
Business Needs: Begin by identifying the specific communication and collaboration needs of your hospitality business. Which communication channels are crucial for your operations? Do you require voice, video, and messaging capabilities? Additionally, consider integration with other essential business applications like booking systems, customer service apps and management monitoring tools. Understanding your needs will help you determine the key features and capabilities your UC platform should offer.
Scalability: Assess the scalability of the UC platform. Will it be able to accommodate the growth of your business as you add more employees and serve an increasing number of guests? Ensure that the platform can support multiple locations and remote workers if required.
Integration: Determine whether the UC platform can seamlessly integrate with other systems and applications you already use in your hospitality business, such as email, calendar, or guest booking software. Integration capabilities are essential for smooth data flow and efficient operations.
Security: Prioritise the security features of the UC platform. It should provide robust security measures like encryption and access controls to protect sensitive guest and business information.
Ease of Use: Consider the ease of use of the platform for your staff. Will they be able to navigate and utilise its features without extensive training? An intuitive user interface and a straightforward user experience are crucial for widespread adoption and effective utilisation of the UC platform.
Cost: Compare the costs associated with different UC platforms, including licensing fees, hardware requirements, and ongoing maintenance costs. Evaluate whether the benefits and features offered by the platform outweigh the associated costs. Consider the possibility of customising a set of services that align specifically with your hospitality business needs, which could potentially reduce costs and eliminate unnecessary services.
Once you have identified the key factors to consider, you can begin evaluating different UC platforms based on these criteria. Request demos or trials from potential providers to test the functionality and user experience. This hands-on experience will help you determine which features are most important for your business and whether the platform is the right fit for your needs.
As providers of agnostic UC services, we work closely with various platforms, assessing each business’s unique requirements before recommending a provider. If you would like to explore the available options further, feel free to reach out to our experts. They will be more than happy to discuss the details of each provider and help you make an informed decision.
Stay tuned for the final part of our UC blog series, where we will discuss embedding UC in your business and empowering staff to embrace this transformative technology.
