{"id":1104,"date":"2014-05-28T15:55:09","date_gmt":"2014-05-28T15:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.activo.ca\/blog\/?p=1104"},"modified":"2024-01-15T17:01:43","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T17:01:43","slug":"the-pros-and-cons-of-premise-based-and-cloud-based-unified-communications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.activo.ca\/blog\/the-pros-and-cons-of-premise-based-and-cloud-based-unified-communications\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pros and Cons of Premise-based and Cloud-based Unified Communications"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unified Communications (UC)<\/a> integrates communications tasks to improve an organization\u2019s productivity and collaboration. <\/strong>With this streamlined solution, conferencing, calling, messaging, and other useful features are all unified into one (easily manageable) system.<\/p>\n

After deciding to implement UC, you will need to determine whether you want a premise-based deployment or cloud-based. Your solution must meet your current needs, and prepare you for your future communication needs.<\/p>\n

Premise-based Unified Communications<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If your phone system is located and managed on-premise, you likely have a PBX<\/a> (private branch exchange) or KTS (key telephone system). Many on-premise phone systems<\/a> are based on older, legacy technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Pros<\/b><\/span><\/td>\nEasy Transition<\/b><\/span><\/td>\nEasy to add onto a VoIP solution, particularly if dealing with only one vendor for both.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
More Control<\/b><\/span><\/td>\nAllows you and your IT department to maintain complete control over your network and applications.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lower Cost of Ownership<\/b><\/span><\/td>\nHigh upfront cost, but lower cost over time in some cases.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
If Essential to Business<\/b><\/span><\/td>\nKeeps UC and telephony on-premise when these systems are deemed too important to outsource.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cons<\/b><\/span><\/td>\nHigh Acquisition Cost<\/b><\/span><\/td>\nHigh upfront cost can be prohibitive.
\n<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IT Limitations<\/b><\/span><\/td>\nDepending on available resources and expertise, deployment may be too complicated.
\n<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Integration Challenges<\/b><\/span><\/td>\nExisting telephony infrastructure may be difficult to integrate with the UC solution.
\n<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Responsibility for Updates<\/b><\/span><\/td>\nCompany must upkeep the solution, doing updates and enhancements themselves. It can be difficult to remain current and timely.
\n<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0* Information from Ziff Davis<\/em><\/p>\n

Cloud-based Unified Communications\u00a0\"Cloud<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As VoIP technology<\/a> replaces older phone systems, more businesses are migrating to a cloud-based model.<\/a> Cloud means that the voice and UC solution is largely offsite, residing in a data center and managed by a partner or service provider.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Pros<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nEasier to Afford<\/strong><\/td>\nCloud is less capital-intensive and has fewer upfront costs. This is ideal for businesses with limited budgets.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reliable Budgeting<\/strong><\/td>\nIt is based on a fixed monthly cost, making it easy to budget for.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Easy to Use<\/strong><\/td>\nGreat for businesses with a small IT department \u2013 or no IT department at all!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minimizes Complexity<\/strong><\/td>\nSimple to deploy, regardless of the complexity of the technology.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flexible<\/strong><\/td>\nEasily scalable (up or down) according to the needs of the business.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Allows Virtualization<\/strong><\/td>\nEnables cost-effect expansion and leveraging of virtual options, including outsourced telephony or remote worker support.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Easy to Update<\/strong><\/td>\nAlways up to date, ensuring you have the latest versions of applications with minimal effort.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Business Continuity<\/strong><\/td>\nEssential for businesses in extreme climates or where broadband service is not reliable.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cons<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nLess Control<\/strong><\/td>\nHosting offsite means relying on external resources and support teams.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Newer Technology<\/strong><\/td>\nCloud-based UC is relatively new, and some are still concerned about its long term viability.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vendor Stability<\/strong><\/td>\nAlso due to the technology\u2019s newness, stability of vendors is not proven.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Data Security <\/strong><\/td>\nCertain industries must keep their data onsite for security and compliance reasons. Cloud UC obscures where exactly the data resides.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Debatable Cost of Ownership Advantage<\/strong><\/td>\nLeasing is, over time, more expensive than owning. Low initial costs will be surpassed by ongoing costs of hosted support.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

* Information from Ziff Davis<\/em><\/p>\n

In Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n

These advantages and disadvantages of the different deployment methods for UC are not comprehensive, but they are a good starting place for businesses that must decide how to best implement their new unified communications solution.<\/p>\n

There is also a third option \u2013 <\/strong>a hybrid model<\/strong><\/a> which compromises between these two extremes. With hybrid options, some components of the technology remain on-premise, while other features are added through the cloud.<\/p>\n

The hybrid model can be the best of both worlds for businesses that want to retain their legacy infrastructure, but take advantage of the benefits provided by the cloud.<\/p>\n

An experienced technology integration partner and solution provider can help your business determine the most effective approach, given your specific requirements.<\/p>\n

>> Activo can implement <\/strong>voice and unified communications<\/strong><\/a> for your organization. <\/strong>Contact us today<\/strong><\/a> to discuss your communication needs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

More on Unified Communications from Activo<\/strong><\/p>\n