By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

The typical master agent is taking note that enterprise communications companies are looking to the cloud. According to a report by the Aberdeen (News - Alert) Group, upwards of 20 percent of companies are considering cloud-based implementation of communications. At the same time, more than 30 percent of companies that have integrated mobility services are thinking cloud-based implementation. The master agent is helping to drive this trend.

According to this recent Channel Partners Online report, companies are looking to completely replace their current systems. One way they are starting the process is by bringing mobility into the mix. Once mobility is integrated, with the help of master agent services, they use the cloud to give more leverage to workers looking for greater remote access. Master agents can gauge a company’s ability to adopt cloud-based implementation by looking at its current mobility.

Enterprise applications are also becoming more and more cloud-enabled. According to Aberdeen’s report, more than 20 percent say they want to embed communications with their enterprise applications. And as the cloud brings with it more hardware for processing communications processes, becoming cloud-enabled will require some instructions. 

But which cloud-based applications had the most impact on communications environments? According to Aberdeen’s study, the core communications technologies like voice, voice mail, email and fax, were taken on by 20 percent or less.

Technologies like content management, Web conferencing and social media were far more likely to be used, making them a point of entry for cloud-based solutions for business’s communication needs. 

The typical master agent is also taking to heart that line-of-business applications are technologies that are utilized more than any others and are bought outside of the normal IT adoption process. Around 20 percent of cloud-based companies in the communication field, according to Aberdeen, had their IT managers purchase communications technologies that were cloud-based. But line-of-business departments purchased more than half of the cloud-based communications technologies. 

The recommendation by Aberdeen is that the optimization of enterprise communications should include using cloud-based technologies on an as-needed basis. Because there are so many applications that are cloud-based and designed for the use of corporate entities, the cloud might be the way to go for cheap trials on new technologies and a smarter way to budget around scalability issues.

 A successful deployment in the cloud occurs when a company realizes that many of the processes being introduced in the cloud are likely not coming through the traditional IT staff recommendation. If the cloud option is not secure and if it doesn’t provide the scalability or flexibility you require, it’s time to look elsewhere. Fortunately, there is likely a master agent ready to help.


Edited by Jamie Epstein