The Darwinian Reality of Technology: How Carriers Who Don’t Adapt Risk Getting Left Behind
In the fast-paced and constantly evolving world of telephony, carriers who don’t adapt to new technologies and changing consumer demands risk getting left behind.
The telecommunications industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the proliferation of mobile phones and the rise of business collaboration apps.
Most carriers have relied on their extensive infrastructure and traditional means to provide voice products to customers. However, with the advent of internet-based communication tools such as VoIP and the increasing popularity of enabling voice in Microsoft Teams and Zoom, carriers face increased competition and must become proactive and quick to adapt in order to remain relevant in the ever-evolving market of voice services.
Businesses Demand Flexibility
As businesses become more dynamic and remote work continues to gain traction, the age of slow decision-making and investment in bulky, expensive hardware is rapidly fading.
The emphasis has shifted to agility, efficiency, and speed. Companies are increasingly looking for immediate solutions that meet their ever-changing needs, and legacy systems that cannot keep up with this pace are being left behind.
Flexible working has also become the norm rather than the exception. According to Global Workplace Analytics, by 2025, an estimated 70% of the workforce will work remotely at least five days a month.
This seismic shift in working culture is redefining what businesses need from their technology and communication systems.
From Desk Phones to Integrated Platform
The traditional desk phone, a once ubiquitous feature of every office, is no longer a viable option for many businesses. Fixed hardware systems do not align with the remote and flexible nature of contemporary work.
Employees need to be able to access their work communications from anywhere, whether it’s from their home office, a coffee shop, or halfway across the world.
This shift towards a more mobile and flexible workforce is driving the increased adoption of collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom. These platforms not only provide a seamless experience for video conferencing and instant messaging, but with the integration of carrier voice services, they can also offer a full-fledged telephony solution within the end user’s current collaboration platform of choice.
Economic Pressures: The Impact of Inflation
Inflation is another key factor forcing businesses to reconsider their communication systems. With budgets getting squeezed, investing in significant capital expenditure (CapEx) projects like PBX systems is becoming less and less feasible.
Businesses are looking for solutions that offer more bang for their buck.
With Microsoft Teams and Zoom, businesses have a phone system already built into their collaboration suite. By integrating their voice services into these platforms, carriers can offer their customers a more cost-effective and streamlined solution.
Customers get access to voice calling capabilities via the familiar interface of their collaboration platform, eliminating the need for separate telephony hardware and software.
Carriers Must Move Fast
It’s not enough for carriers to just offer this integration. They need to do it well and do it fast.
Businesses are migrating to these services at a phenomenal pace. If carriers cannot connect their customers in these new environments effectively and efficiently, they risk losing them to someone who can.
Fortunately, this shift presents a lucrative opportunity for carriers. With the right strategies and partnerships, they can not only maintain their relevance but also take the lead in this new era of communication.
Microsoft Operator Connect
One of the most promising opportunities comes from Microsoft’s Operator Connect program. This program integrates carrier services directly into Microsoft Teams, allowing system administrators to choose their provider and activate calling instantly.
Operator Connect presents an excellent chance for carriers to seamlessly integrate their services into a platform that businesses already use.
However, joining Operator Connect requires overcoming several hurdles. Carriers must navigate extensive contractual agreements, development, and integration work. This process can be time-consuming and might delay their entry into the market.
This is where SIPPIO comes into the picture. As an Operator Connect accelerator, SIPPIO is certified by Microsoft to onboard and connect carriers to the platform. With SIPPIO, carriers can bypass months of complex procedures and immediately focus on their sales and marketing efforts.
The quicker carriers can go to market, the faster they can capitalize on the immense market opportunity.
SIPPIO also supports Direct Routing for more complex use cases. This feature allows businesses to connect their telephony services to Microsoft Teams, using a Session Border Controller (SBC).
With SIPPIO’s award-winning app, carriers can enable Direct Routing for their customers, offering them more flexibility and customization options.
Zoom Provider Exchange
For carriers looking to tap into the Zoom market, SIPPIO is a certified provider that can connect them to the Provider Exchange.
Just like Operator Connect, customers can choose their provider directly in the Zoom backend and start allocating numbers to their users.
From small businesses to international call centers, Zoom Phone offers a unified communications experience that integrates voice, video, chat, and content sharing. It boasts advanced features like intelligent call routing, auto-attendants, and interactive voice response (IVR) systems.
A New Reality
Carriers have a significant opportunity in the rapidly evolving telephony market, but they must embrace this new reality and adapt their services to meet the changing needs of businesses.
By partnering with SIPPIO, carriers can quickly and efficiently integrate their services into leading collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
This quick adaptation is not just about survival in the face of technological evolution; it’s also about seizing the initiative, capturing market share, and leading the way in this new era of communication.
In the Darwinian world of technology, the fittest are not just survivors; they are the leaders.
This article was written by Jason Sheppard, our Director of Carrier Sales. If you’re looking to adapt to the fast-paced technological changes and enable voice services in Microsoft Teams or Zoom, Jason and our team are here to help.
You’re not just choosing a service; you’re choosing the future of your communication strategy. Don’t get left behind – reach out to us today.
📧 Jason can be contacted directly at jason@sippio.io for any inquiries.