If there’s one thing that has consistently evolved in the workplace, it’s how we collaborate.

Just think back to the basic office phones of not so long ago. Today, those have given way to powerhouse cloud-based platforms that have completely and fundamentally altered how we communicate, all courtesy of rapid advancements in technology.

What’s happened is nothing short of remarkable—a windfall of innovation. Yet it hasn’t been without its challenges.

As we rethink the way we interact in our workplaces, one question remains: what’s still standing in the way of effective collaboration? With communication technology evolving at lightning speed, we need to think carefully about what will happen next for organizations that are willing to evolve and innovate alongside these shifts.

Back in the Day: How It All Started

Before we had sleek cloud tools, companies relied on traditional methods like in-person meetings and desk phones connected through on-premise PBX (Private Branch Exchange) systems. These systems were, let’s be honest, clunky and expensive.

They required serious maintenance and came with a ton of limitations—one of the biggest being geography. Long-distance calls, for example, meant headaches and high costs.

But then the internet burst onto the scene, changing everything. Enter VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and standards like SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), which allowed businesses to ditch the clunky PBX setups in favor of systems that integrated both voice and video capabilities over the web.

Fast Forward to Now

These days, workplace collaboration looks vastly different. With cloud-based tools at their disposal, businesses are no longer forced to juggle multiple communication channels. Instead, they can now roll voice, video, and chat into one seamlessly integrated whole.

That shift was already underway, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it gave businesses little choice but to adjust—and fast.

Suddenly, phrases like “remote work” and “virtual collaboration” weren’t just buzzwords; they were the new reality. In the blink of an eye, companies scrambled to adopt collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Slack.

The result? A new era of “Collaboration as a Service” (UCaaS) that lets employees connect from anywhere, with everything they need just a few clicks away.

Apps like Slack report over 10 million daily active users, while Microsoft Teams has surged to over 320 million monthly active users, illustrating just how universal these tools have become.

Simpler, Scalable Solutions

One game-changer in modern collaboration is how much easier everything has become. Cloud-based solutions have genuinely simplified communication for businesses of all sizes. Instead of juggling multiple platforms or sitting on outdated systems, companies are switching to unified tools that integrate everything in one place.

Our engineers have assisted customers migrating from legacy, on-premises solutions to different UCaaS platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx Calling, RingCentral, 8×8, and others. We analyze each organization’s unique workflow, culture, and technical requirements to recommend and implement the ideal cloud communication solution.

For example, one of our clients made the switch to Teams from their on-premises Cisco system. The benefits added up quickly. Integrating this solution with their existing setup streamlined operations and trimmed costs significantly.

Bonus? Their staff could now work from virtually anywhere, using scalable tools that adjust as their needs change.

Current Challenges in Collaboration

Of course, no system is perfect. Despite the progress that’s been made, businesses still face speed bumps when it comes to collaboration tech.

Compatibility Across Platforms

One of the biggest headaches? Getting different platforms to play nice with each other.

For instance, joining a Google Meet call from Microsoft Teams or hosting a WebEx meeting for Zoom users can still feel like a struggle. While companies like Microsoft, Google, and Cisco are working to improve cross-platform functionality, we’re not quite there yet.

AI Integration

Say goodbye to tedious meeting notes and forgotten follow-ups – AI-powered collaboration tools have got you covered with smart features like transcription, summaries, and notifications that keep the team moving and grooving. However, it’s important to remember that these tools are still in their infancy.

When it’s time to implement AI, companies tend to hit a snag as they try to figure out how to use AI effectively and responsibly. Yet AI technology keeps getting better and more refined, so as time goes on, it’s likely to make our efforts toward collaboration even more efficient and cohesive.

For context, tools like Otter.ai are already leading the way with AI-powered meeting transcription, while platforms like Zoom incorporate AI to offer real-time meeting insights.

How Elevate Technology Can Help

At Elevate Technology, we’ve spent years helping businesses upgrade their collaboration strategies. Whether it’s advising on which cloud systems suit your organization best or ensuring a smooth migration from legacy systems, we take a personalized approach for each client. 

For instance, when a mid-size healthcare company needed to modernize their tools, we designed a hybrid approach that allowed them to hold onto essential legacy systems while introducing new cloud-based features on top of their existing setup. 

As a result, we’ve observed instant improvements in productivity and cost savings—all without unnecessary downtime.

The Future of Workplace Collaboration

What’s coming next for workplace collaboration? For us, it’s simple: getting better every single day. Anything less is standing still. We’re looking at smarter tools, more personalized experiences, and even better integrations. 

The influence of AI is poised to grow stronger still. Imagine your collaboration tool offering not just meeting summaries but also actionable insights on what steps to take next. Or marketing teams using smarter analytics to fine-tune campaigns in real-time. It’s not science fiction—it’s what’s just around the corner. 

Automation is also poised to take charge, ready to blast through tedious tasks with ease and free up time for what really matters. Nearly all of these UCaaS solutions come with a fully-featured API, ready to power your automations. 

For companies who are looking to rise above the noise, now is the time to make a move. It’s a decision that will help make your operations smoother today and set you up to handle future growth with confidence.

Are You Ready to Make the Shift?

Staying competitive means staying connected—and modern collaboration tools are how you do it. Don’t settle for outdated systems when tools built for today’s workforce can transform the way your team communicates. 

If you’re ready to push beyond the ordinary, we’re here to help you. From choosing the right UCaaS platform for your business to showing you how you can leverage AI’s strengths to exploring the latest in cloud communication together, we’ll help you switch gears and get everyone working together seamlessly. 

Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can revolutionize your approach to collaboration.