With the global unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) market forecast by analyst firm IDC to have grown 8.2% year-on-year to US$64.2billion in 2023, it’s abundantly clear that this is now a massive and mature market in which businesses commit substantial investment. With cloud-based UC collaboration, buyers are keen to invest in solutions that provide greater communication flexibility and interoperability but a key deciding factor for ensuring they receive a robust, well-supported and cost-effective service is whether to select a global or regional vendor.
On one hand, selecting a global vendor should result in a consistent experience across all markets with the advantage of simpler supplier management. Organisations should be confident that a global provider can deliver full voice capabilities and local dialing plans in numerous countries around the world. However, the term global is often misused and not all global UCaaS offerings have capabilities in 100 or even 200 countries. In addition, although global providers claim to offer in-region support, they may lack local resources or have incomplete awareness of local regulations.
On the other hand, regional vendors are certain to have the capabilities customers need within their region. They will also have the in-depth knowledge of local regulations and able to provide local support and assistance when needed. However, there is a risk involved for organisations that need to extend services outside the provider’s home region because doing so will either require an additional provider with a new vendor relationship and contracts or the customer will have to rely on the regional provider’s global partners. Often this can work well, but there is a significant risk that the services offered will not match up exactly and performance may vary depending on the underlying provider of the service. It also becomes cumbersome for enterprises to deal with a complex vendor sprawl.
When it comes to deciding between a regional or global provider, there are several dynamics affecting the market that should be taken into account. First, the rapidly maturing market is putting pressure on pricing, so there is the potential for users to pay less per month per seat or get more for their spending. However, a maturing market also means consolidation could happen, so the provider you selected today because of its regional credentials may either be acquired by a larger provider or find that it can no longer compete. If you’re making decisions for the long term, this is an important issue to consider.
Further to this, organisations should adopt best practices for evaluating and selecting a UCaaS vendor. Basic criteria such as the number of users, the number of locations and the budget should be considered alongside ensuring regulatory compliance, The richness of the UCaaS portfolio on offer in terms of the services available, the cloud or on-premises decision and the end to end managed services capabilities should all be carefully assessed before deciding on a regional or global provider.
There is also the possibility to select a vendor that offers the best of both worlds by combining regional provider attributes with a global footprint. Tata Communications is an award-winning UCaaS vendor that has more than a decade of experience both in managing regional competitiveness for larger-scale UCaaS development and as a single, global vendor innovating with its GlobalRapide UCaaS offering to align with the market and customer needs. Tata Communications operates seamlessly in regulated markets such as France and Indonesia, and is a launch partner for Microsoft Teams Operator Connect in India.
“In the dynamic landscape of today’s global enterprises, the decision between a global or regional provider can feel like navigating a complex maze,” says Michael Koidahl, the head of Americas Converged Communications Solutions for Tata Communications.
“Embrace the agility and expansive reach of a global provider, all while fostering local expertise. Seek a partner who not only understands the nuances of local markets but also boasts global experience and coverage to support your growth ambitions. It’s not about choosing sides; it’s about orchestrating a harmonious blend that maximises the business capabilities.”
To find out more, visit Tata Communications.
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