Tell-Tale Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Unified Communication System  

Are people reluctant to use conference rooms and training spaces in your office? When it’s time to host a hybrid meeting or presentation, do they prefer to join virtual calls separately—even when they’re physically present in the office?

If your conference rooms are starting to collect dust, that’s a sign your unified communication and collaboration (UCC) needs help. It’s not that in-person meetings are no longer in vogue or necessary. We’d argue that in our ever-digital age, they’re more important than ever. You just need an upgrade from your unified communications provider. 

What Is Unified Communications & Collaboration? 

Put simply, it’s the all-in-one integration of multiple communication tools into one platform. UCC can encompass voice calling, video conferencing, content sharing, digital whiteboards, instant messaging, calendars, and more. 

To create a simpler user experience, a UCC provider like McCann Systems will help integrate your disparate technologies and software into one easy-to-use platform. 

SEE ALSO: Creating More Engaging and Productive Workplaces with Business Displays 

Signs You Need to Update UCC 

We’ve seen all kinds of outdated or poorly configured systems in our clients’ offices. You know it’s time to update your UCC systems when: 

There’s a Mess of Cables & Hardware

If your meetings involve a confusing jumble of cables, dongles, plugs, and converters that may or may not be compatible with each other—it’s time to upgrade. It should not be time-consuming or confusing to launch presentations or video calls. On the contrary, our conferencing setups are a breeze to activate. 

You Use Multiple Redundant Platforms

If you have business subscriptions to multiple UC software platforms like Skype (which is retiring and moving to Microsoft Teams), Zoom, Google Meets, Teams, and RingCentral, it will save you confusion (and money) to consolidate into one platform. As you may have noticed, some of your AV hardware may not integrate or ‘play well’ with certain software, rendering your current setup obsolete. 

We can design systems that integrate video calling, messaging, email, and content sharing over your preferred platform, while still being able to sync audio and video over other platforms when necessary. For instance, if your client uses Cisco Webex while you use Teams, you can still join their Cisco call over your conferencing hardware. 

Your AV Hardware Is Over Five Years Old 

We see it all the time: Many major corporations haven’t updated their communication technology in 10, 15, even over 20 years. Old conferencing systems that still run on ISDN telephone lines are expensive to maintain, are physically restricted, are incompatible with today’s conferencing needs, and lack the advanced features that software-based systems offer. 

We recommend upgrading UCC hardware every three to five years. Seven years is pushing it! It’s well worth upgrading to a software-based system like Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace, which makes it easy to update as new advancements arrive. 

What A Great UCC System Feels Like 

Your UCC system should remove any friction between people and technology. It should only require one touch on one button to join a call and launch the meeting over video, speakers, and microphones. Everything should feel seamless and simple, and no one should feel anxiety about whether or not the technology will work. 

In 2025, if your business is not at this level, it’s time to reevaluate your UCC setup. If your staff prefers to conduct meetings virtually “because it’s easier,” we can change that. What are they currently missing in in-person meetings? Do people miss the ability to vote in polls and collect results? Do they like seamlessly switching between presenters and sharing their screens? 

We can create an in-room experience that incorporates all the features of virtual meetings with the benefits of face-to-face interaction. 

What to Expect from the Upgrading Process 

We start by asking you a series of questions about your organization’s current practices, frustrations, and needs. Once we understand your goals, we’ll recommend moving to one centralized UCC platform, making the end-user experience as simple as possible. 

We’ll design a system tailored specifically to your business’s workflow. For example, does your staff prefer using an in-room desktop computer to share presentations? Or will everyone bring their own laptop to the table? Are we upgrading a conference room, where hybrid meeting equity is a priority, or a training room where the experience is centered on in-person interactions? 

Once we understand your priorities, we process them into a solution that’s elegant, powerful, and easy to use. Most importantly, our UCC systems are designed to be future-proof and adaptable. Technology will inevitably age out, and there will always be better tools. Do your business a service by thinking forward and upgrading to the best available solutions. 

Upgrade Your UCC Experience Today 

Ready for simpler, smarter communication and collaboration? We’re the unified communications provider for notable businesses across the country, including tech and education hubs like Boston, MA. 

Contact McCann for a free consultation and to learn more about our UCC design-installation services today.