UC providers are increasingly expanding
tion to retain control of sensitive content,
their support to multiple regions, which
while communications with fewer security
means we’re starting to see deployments
requirements (like conferencing) could
spanning two or three regions, such as
be obtained through the cloud. However,
Australia and Asia.
the costs associated with integrating UC elements can be prohibitive and may add
How to decide which UC solution best fits
complexity to the management interface
your organisation? Private cloud services
tools. Hybrid is a good interim path for
are best when there are limits to the quality
those wanting to migrate fully into the
and coverage of public cloud services or
cloud but who are not quite ready for a
when the organisation is subject to regula-
total move.
tory and security issues that restrict use. It is also popular with IT organisations
Public cloud satisfies the business manag-
that want to outsource management of the
ers because it helps organisations become
application and infrastructure but believe
more agile as they grow and supports
public cloud services are insufficiently
disaster recovery with replicated data
mature. Private cloud satisfies the CIO’s
centres. Businesses that opt for public
need for agility and cost optimisation while
cloud believe it enables them to reduce
maintaining job security for IT managers
costs, focus on core competencies and
responsible for communications. However,
reallocate IT staff to focus on competitive
it does come at a cost, with private cloud
differentiation.
services having a higher cost of ownership than public.
Bjarne Munch is a principal analyst at Gartner. He provides strategic and technical advice on network service and managed network service strategies and sourcing best practices and service-level agreements, as well as advice on videoconferencing, IP telephony and unified communications strategy development, solution design and deployment best practices.
For organisations with fewer than 100 employees, the business case for public
Organisations generally employ hybrid
cloud UC is usually compelling, given
UC procurement for its flexibility and
their limited numbers of IT staff and the
costs, and to meet business requirements
fixed costs of on-premises equipment. For
and organisation structure. For example,
midsize organisations, it relieves them of
an organisation can use an existing IP
the complexity and expense of support-
PBX with remaining useful life for voice
ing remote sites and makes it easier to
functionality while getting conferencing
support mobile and telework use cases.
capabilities via the cloud. Blended procure-
While public cloud is still an option for
ment allows planners to leverage premises-
larger companies, private cloud may be
based infrastructure with existing useful
more cost effective and beneficial in the
life and can ensure compliance, security
long run.
and regulatory requirements are fulfilled on the corporate journey to the cloud.
Each UC solution has its pros and cons. By better understanding the options, IT
For example, email functions can be
leaders can now determine which option
delivered through a premises-based solu-
best fits the needs of their organisation.
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