Key Difference Between CPaaS and UCaaS

The market size of CPaaS is growing with a CAGR of 29.4%, likely to reach USD 45.3 billion by 2027. With the same growth rate, the UCaaS market will rise to USD 79.3 billion by 2024. The direction for the companies is clear. Move to the clouds and take your communication tech stack along.

Modernising the communication system is integral to companies’ digital transformation. However, many businesses still need help to choose the right services. The choice is often between comprehensive off-the-shelf UCaaS solutions and adding new capabilities to the existing system using CPaaS solutions. The answer lies in understanding the two options and making an informed decision.

UCaaS: Features and benefits

Unified communication as a service (UCaaS) is one of the best-known terms in the cloud communication realm. It is a centralised, all-in-one, readymade business communication solution. It integrates chats, emails, messaging, voice, and video calls in one comprehensive platform. It eliminates the need to maintain servers and data centres.

Businesses log in and access the following:

• Shared infrastructure such as data centres.
• Network management tools.
• Crucial communication services.
• Flexibility to scale as required.
• Pay-per-month pricing.

Businesses also enjoy several benefits.

• Minimal administrative responsibilities.
• Greater scalability, flexibility, and security.
• Support for remote work.
• Enhanced productivity.

CPaaS: Features and benefits

CPaaS came into play as the “as-a-service” concept matured over time. Instead of providing a readymade solution, CPaaS allows businesses to develop a solution that suits them. Airtel has launched a powerful CPaaS solution, Airtel IQ, designed to empower businesses by providing a versatile platform to customize and enhance their communication capabilities with features such as video collaborations, social media integration, two-factor authentication, call analytics, and more. Airtel IQ CPaaS includes:

• Shared infrastructure and data centres.
• Framework to build applications.
• APIs for new services.

Airtel IQ CPaaS has numerous benefits, making it a preferred choice.

• Greater customisation.
• Saving on infrastructure maintenance.
• Cost-effective and easy integration.
• Increased functionality and omnichannel capabilities.

Understanding the difference through prominent use cases

UCaaS and CPaaS are easy to confuse. Not because they sound similar but because they both aim to modernise communication with cloud capabilities. However, they differ in how they deliver services to the client.

UCaaS unifies the communication landscape, bringing everything into a single environment. Its prominent use cases are:

1. UCaaS provides VoIP solutions with third-party integration for companies looking for cloud-based US solutions. It bridges the gap between communication tools and the business.
2. It is an all-in-one solution to improve team productivity, especially for small businesses.
3. UCaaS is an excellent option for smaller businesses to improve compliance and privacy. UCaaS vendors provide security features that can help limited-budget companies.

Airtel IQ CPaaS is a foundation for developers to build their communication capabilities and add to the existing system. Here are its pronounced use cases.

1. CPaaS is popular among businesses with already existing cloud-based communication. They can tailor the needed features instead of paying for a preset feature set.
2. It is ideal for companies upgrading their communication system with total control. For instance, businesses can change the instructions for one IVR number without touching the rest.
3. Airtel IQ CPaaS is a perfect fit for companies upgrading to omnichannel communication for better customer outcomes.

Choosing between UCaaS and CPaaS

If used correctly, UCaaS and CPaaS deliver exceptional value to the business. Choosing the best-fit solution is crucial and relies on several considerations.

• Communication needs.
• Specific features.
• Familiarity with coding.

If a business wants to overhaul the communication system, replacing it with a ready-to-use UCaaS suite is better. However, Airtel IQ is a perfect fit for companies wishing to enhance the existing solution with new features.

More often than not, businesses combine the two options to make the most of the two worlds. Regardless of the choice, the bottom line is to choose the right vendor who offers a smooth sail throughout the modernisation journey.