Blog - Proper Connections - USAC Consulting, Phone, Network, Business Technology Services & More

A Quick Reality Check on UCaaS Pricing

September 13, 2021 by properconnections

Is UCaaS pricing as good as it sounds? A few common pitfalls often make it more expensive.

When it’s time to upgrade communications technology, moving to the cloud is an obvious choice. Unified communications as a service (UCaaS) promises feature-rich, scalable solutions at a fraction of the cost of a private branch exchange (PBX). But some companies end up paying more, not less. UCaaS pricing usually puts companies in a better position, but only if you’re educated about what you’re getting and at what cost.

Early into the evaluation process, you will notice a common theme across UCaaS pricing conversations. UCaaS solutions promise the following:

You have the ability to trade a capital investment for a monthly, subscription-based pay model that can be categorized as operating expenses.
You are charged only for the number of users accessing the solution, and only for the features they use.
You have the option to scale up and down as business demands.
You get inclusive pricing that allows you the comfort of knowing that upgrades, hardware, and maintenance are all included.

These promises are all accurate, and they can deliver measurable savings. But companies need to watch for a few areas where pricing can become inflated and they end up with a higher invoice than anticipated:

Minimum Quantities

Your contract may include minimum user numbers that could be based on inaccurate or overestimated legacy phone use.

One-Size-Fits-All

The contract includes payment for features that are only required by a small percentage of your staff.

Hidden Fees

These may be a third-party service necessary to complete your installation, service management, or additional fees for design, training, or installation.

Timing of Contract Date

If your charges commence on your contract date but implementation takes place over several months, you may be paying invoices without usable communications services.

Discounting Requirements

In order to get the promised price, you find out at contract time that you must pay for several years’ worth of services up front in order to qualify. This may threaten your ability to categorize your investment as a monthly expense.

While every technology investment can come with a few surprises, here are three ways to protect your budget and anticipate or protect against the possibility of additional items on your invoice for UCaaS pricing:

Choose a provider that will provide a contract enabling you to increase or decrease users. Make sure you are not committed to a major contract extension each time your needs change.
Implement an onboarding strategy that limits invoicing to when services actually begin. Do not accept a contract that begins billing you before implementation, because you need your provider to be motivated to complete your transition to UCaaS.
Survey users carefully before you begin your transition to get an accurate count on the number of users your contract should include.

Ultimately, the right UCaaS pricing gets you the features that allow you to expand productivity and collaboration while reducing your costs. And having a technology partner with extensive experience in UCaaS can help. Contact us at Proper Connections to get started on your UCaaS migration.

4 Trends in Unified Communications

September 10, 2021 by properconnections

From hybrid workforces to the increased investment in cloud technology, unified communications is now prevalent.

Unified communications delivers a host of features including instant messaging, video conferencing, and data sharing, all collaborative tools designed to support a geographically dispersed team. It can be accessed via managed services through unified communications as a service (UCaaS) and offers benefits like scalability and cost-savings over traditional landline-based communications technology.

The quality of the services accessed through unified communications has only improved as the technology has matured. The introduction of 5G makes latency and other connectivity challenges less threatening, and the incorporation of virtual networking solutions by many companies is making supporting unified communications easier.

Here are four trends shaping the way unified communications is being used in a post-pandemic world:

The Market Is Growing

Over the next several years, the UCaaS market has an expected increase at a CAGR of 9.6%, reaching a market value of more than $26.2 billion in 2027. North American countries are expected to have the highest investment in UCaaS, with high-speed internet and widespread smartphone usage expected to fuel growth in the United States and Canada.

The Permanence of Hybrid Teams

As companies shift from full work-from-home to permanent hybrid options, unified communications delivers a consistent work experience, no matter the location. It also supports productivity and streamlined decision-making with tools for collaboration between employees and teams.

The Shift to Cloud Solutions

Companies are increasingly depending on the cloud for infrastructure and software subscriptions. Unified communications dovetails well into a cloud-first environment, with UCaaS offering features that integrate with other cloud technology. Cloud solutions enable employees to work anywhere, and unified communications supports business processes with services that enable teams to meet virtually.

Education Is Embracing Tech

After widespread closure, schools and other educational institutions needed quick solutions. Part of the adaptation to equip schools with virtual capabilities was the implementation of unified communications. While some schools developed strategies using software, there were others that utilized unified communications to conduct online exams and other activities.

The pandemic caused many companies to accelerate digital transformation plans already in motion or to introduce new priorities around cloud adoption. For many businesses, the shift to unified communications initially solved some of the challenges in a crisis and ultimately offered lasting benefits for the hybrid workplace such as:

The ability to hire the best talent with no regard for geographical location.
Reduced expenses related to travel for in-person meetings.
The ability to scale in a matter of minutes, only paying for the number of users required at any time.
A shift from a capital investment in communications technology to a monthly operating expense.
Productivity improvements as employees share workspaces and collaborate on video conferencing and messaging tools.

If your company has been considering unified communications, Proper Connections can help you leverage the best solution to match your communications priorities. Contact us to get started.

Project Management 101 – Getting Started

November 12, 2020 by properconnections

By Mare Levine and Karen Dapper

Businesses know projects need project managers if they want their project to meet their goals, remain on time, and stay within its budget. While no one knows for sure how many Project Managers (PM) there are in the United States, ProjectManager.com, estimates there are 9-11 million, while DataUSA.io puts the number at just over 11 million. If each PM has six projects, that’s over 66 million projects looking for the guidance and professional support only a PM can give.

What is a Project?

Has a clear start and finish
Creates something new (even if it already exists elsewhere)
Has boundaries (such as project scope and specifications)
Has someone in charge or someone personally invested in the outcome

That seems pretty simple at first glance, but it’s also very powerful. A PM and their team create something new, within a framework, that has a personal and most likely, has a corporate investment in a positive outcome. That’s why having a project done correctly is so important.

What are the Parts of a Project?

Charter
Project Plan
Timeline
Stakeholders
Tasks for multiple teams
Meetings (there could be a lot)
Budget
Risk log, communication plan and resource plans
Hand off and close project

While not every project has all of these pieces, all projects do need structure and the commitment of the team involved (the stakeholders), to see it through to a successful conclusion.

What Does a PM Need to Have?

Organizational skills
Clear written and verbal communication skills
Ability to motivate others
Agility to change course
Critical thinking
Talent for negotiation
Unshakable calmness

Could you be a great PM if you were missing a few of these skills? Possibly, but don’t count on it. If you want to be a PM, work on your weak areas and your stakeholders will have more respect for you.

All Projects are Unique

Some projects are quick and completed in weeks
Some projects last years
Some projects get started only to end abruptly due to changes in business priorities
There are more than a dozen methodologies for successfully managing projects
Some projects do not fit into a typical format and require ingenuity

There are many different paths to the successful completion of a project. Not only do different companies use different tools, but most project managers deploy a unique set of tools for each project. For instance, some companies may rely heavily on Zoom video conferencing, while another might use #Slack channels (direct messaging) for a large part of their communication. Rather than trying to force a team to use what the PM wants, the PM will be flexible about using what works best for their client and the project.

Some Highlights of Being a PM

At the end of the project you have accomplished something tangible that didn’t exist before
Each project is different, even if it’s with the same team or tools
Building a network of people who have the talent and expertise to help a project reach its goal

At Proper Connections, we have a team of smart, seasoned PMs who are passionate about their projects. If you don’t have the talent in-house to tackle a project, or your PMs are already deployed on other projects and you need an assist, contact us today. We’re ready to help make your next unique project a success!

FY2021 USAC Updates

September 10, 2020 by properconnections

By: Kara Proper

The Universal Service Administrative Co., aka USAC, world is ever-changing, growing, and updating. Each year, the program implements new changes and updates, some of which are to help the end user (us), and some of which help USAC representatives. COVID-19 has changed some things within USAC, such as granting relief measures and deadline extensions, but USAC has also implemented some big changes for FY2021.

The biggest changes for FY21 include filing window dates, and two new tools: A Rates Database for Telecom Program applicants and Rurality Tiers for Telecom Program support. FY2021 will run much like previous years July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022. New this year, applicants can submit FCC Forms 461 and 465 beginning on July 1, 2020. This is much earlier than in previous years, and helpful in trying to get a head start on forms for the next filing period. The updated filing window for FCC Forms 462 and 466 is January 4, 2021 – April 1, 2021, which again is earlier than in prior years.

Image source: https://www.usac.org/rural-health-care/additional-program-guidance/funding-year-overview/

Within the Telecom Program, applicants were able to submit regulated urban and rural rates as it relates to the services being submitted in the past. Beginning FY21, there will be a rates database for applications. The rural and urban rates used to calculate the amount of eligible support for an HCP site location will be the median of available rates as identified in the Rates Database. Applicants will need to use the median rural and urban rates from the Rates Database for the requested telecommunications services that are being submitted for funding. Though this will directly impact rates in some areas, it will be helpful for everyone to have a regulated database system.

The Rurality Tier Search Tool is also new as it relates to the Rate Database. The new tool is used to calculate the rural rate for determining the amount of support for eligible telecommunications services in the Telecom Program. However, the Rurality Tier Search Tool will also be used to determine the factor of prioritization of funding in the event that eligible funding requests exceed the amount of available funding for that particular year. The tier structure is based on geographical area along with degree of medical service available in the healthcare provider’s area. The more rural and less medical services available in the HCP’s area, the higher the priority will be for funding. This new tool could potentially greatly impact funding in certain geographical areas moving forward.

To learn more about how Proper Connections can help with your USAC needs, visit https://www.proper-connections.com/our-services/usac-consulting-services/.