A Professional Review of the BroadSoft UCaaS Platform
BroadSoft is a leading platform for Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS). As an alternative to UCaaS platforms such as Mitel and Microsoft, BroadSoft has three times more installed users than its closest competitor and 41 percent market share. As a licensed reseller and partner of BroadSoft, the Broadsoft UCaaS platform is a core part of the technology stack we use here at Atlantech Online to deliver voice, hosted PBX, and unified cloud communications to our clients.
Are we biased towards BroadSoft vs. alternatives? Of course, we are! However, Atlantech Online has been in the internet service provider and telecommunications business since 1995 and we adopted Broadsoft at the core of our voice service delivery after doing copious research and technology validation. BroadSoft is a slightly newer firm, originating in 1998 and was purchased by Cisco in Fall 2017. Over 23 years delivering business communications services in the greater DC and Mid-Atlantic region, Atlantech has developed some context around what organizations need from their cloud communications tools and we're committed to offering unbiased recommendations to potential customers--even in the cases where BroadSoft ISN'T the best fit for their needs.
BroadSoft is the chosen UCaaS platform for nearly half of the UCaaS users worldwide, and it’s popularity is due to its quality, ease-of-use, reliability, and other factors that matter. That's one reason why Cisco purchased them for $1.9 billion. Read on to learn why Atlantech chose to partner with BroadSoft, a telecommunications professional’s perspective on this platform, a sneak peek into the app, and more.
Reviewing the BroadSoft UCaaS Platform
Founded in 1998, BroadSoft offers Unified Communications to over 500 million subscribers worldwide. VoIP and UCaaS through the platform is resold through BroadSoft’s global network of 500 certified partners--one of which is Atlantech Online. BroadSoft’s product offerings include a number of cloud applications for enterprise cloud PBX, collaboration, unified communications, and contact center use case. These apps are titled UC-One (UCaaS), Team-One (UCaaS for teams), and CC-One (UCaaS for contact centers).
How BroadSoft Stacks Up to Alternatives: What the Experts are Saying
BroadSoft Offers Seamless Transitions to the Future
“BroadSoft’s industry-leading platform represents a compelling option for businesses looking for tried-and tested solutions that continue to evolve in step with changing customer needs,” writes industry analyst Elka Popova. She writes that BroadSoft can offer a smoother transition than alternatives, commenting that “the BroadSoft solutions transition customers to cloud communications with simplicity and speed,” as well as providing best-of-class options for companies that want to use hybrid solutions while switching to UCaaS.
BroadSoft is Committed to Keeping Up with Tech Change
Frost & Sullivan, a globally-known growth consulting firm that reviews tech solutions, calls BroadSoft an “innovator and trailblazer.” Their review of BroadSoft commended the company for their “ visionary strategy, excellent execution, [and] unwavering commitment to technology innovation, and customer value.” While technology may be changing quickly, BroadSoft’s product team is ahead of the curve. Since BroadSoft is delivered to the cloud, customers get automatic access to new features.
BroadSoft ISN’T One-Size-Fits-All (and that's a good thing!)
While the BroadSoft UCaaS platform is study enough to meet the needs of major multinational corporations, it’s not too robust or out-of-reach for smaller organizations. The features and product offerings can be shaped to fit your needs, and integrated into your existing technology stack.
“Whether you’re a startup or an established business, BroadSoft’s newest offering can be the answer to your business communication challenges” writes tech journalist and platform tester Ion Mae. After trying out the UCaaS app, Mae concluded that it was a good bet for everyone from “SMBs that seek an advanced communications solution without the complexity and cost, to large multi-national enterprises that require a robust solution for their global workforce.”
6 Ways BroadSoft Delivers Serious Business UCaaS Benefits
When it comes to close evaluation of BroadSoft vs. leading alternative UCaaS platforms, here are a few reasons areas where BroadSoft excels in helping organizations unlock the business benefits of UCaaS:
Easy Scalability
BroadSoft’s platform is built to quickly and cost-effectively scale across even highly complex enterprise deployments, including multi-location implementations like Montgomery College.
Simple Migration
BroadSoft offers a clear and flexible customer migration path that allows organizations to do “hybrid implementations,” maintaining some use of their premises-based phone systems during the changeover.
Extensive Features
Communication and collaboration tools including advanced business calling, voicemail, unified messaging, auto attendant, contact center, multimedia and video conferencing, mobility, instant messaging, file sharing, and desktop sharing.
Open API
Written on standards-based protocols with an open API, BroadSoft is primed for businesses to internally develop of integrated, custom applications.
Security
BroadSoft UC-One is compliant with FedRAMP requirements, and the organization has invested heavily in secure app design and operations.
Built-In Integrations
BroadSoft comes with plug-and-play compatibility with some of the most common business apps your organization is already using including Salesforce, SugarCRM, Microsoft Outlook, IBM Notes, Gmail, eAgent, Clio, Office 365, Twitter, and more.
A Professional UCaaS Review: The UC-One App
When customers come to Atlantech for UCaaS, the application their employees use most often from the BroadSoft Business suite is UC-One. As a partner of BroadSoft who also uses their UCaaS platform for work, I live in the UC-One app. I love it because it makes me look like I’m part of the phone system no matter where I am. And I can do all the things I need to do for my desktop, smartphone, laptop or tablet--make phone calls, instant message, see the presence of co-workers, share my screen, make conference calls, and check voicemail.
What it’s Like to Use the BroadSoft UC-One App
As a mobile-first platform, UC-One was designed to be used specifically on mobile devices. This doesn’t mean it’s not useable or feels clunky when you’re logged in to use it on your laptop, tablet, or business desktop computer. It means it’s got an intuitive user interface, and it’s every bit as mobile-optimized as other apps you engage with everyday, like Facebook Messenger.
If I want to call my coworker, I just click once to chat or send a voice call. It’s just as easy to send a group chat message to the entire customer success team. I can also immediately see whether people are available, based on presence info and profile pictures.
For organizations who do BYOD (bring-your-own-device), the UC-One app can securely be installed on Android or iOS devices, allowing employees to seamlessly switch between personal and business communications without putting your data security at risk.
How BroadSoft Features Go to Work For You in the UC-One App
It’s easy to start a conversation with Unified instant messaging from any location in the world. If you’re working on a project, the UC-One app supports the creation of virtual meetings. These meeting rooms support chat, file sharing, screen sharing, and whatever other kind of real-time collaboration your team needs.
All messages sent through UC-One are stored, with easy search features. If you’re on a plane during a team meeting, you can catch up by reading messages that were sent while you were out of contact. UC-One integrates with your corporate directory, so you can click to call your coworkers from your work extension even if you’re out of the office.
UCaaS by BroadSoft Makes it Easy to Communicate & Collaborate
All of today’s major UCaaS platforms offer mobility. However, as a professional user of BroadSoft’s UCaaS app, UC-One, it’s definitely not a secret why over 40 percent of the world’s UCaaS users choose BroadSoft. It has all the capabilities today’s professionals need to communicate seamlessly.
Choosing the right UCaaS platform can enable organizations to achieve the best results possible with UCaaS. However, the provider you partner with matters, too.To learn more about everything you need for a seamless switch, check out 10 questions You Should Ask Before You Buy Unified Communications as a Service for Your Business.
