The rise of remote working has seen companies make business comms tech an important part of their digital transformation strategies in recent years. This trend is set to continue in 2024, with the Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) market due to grow at an average rate of 15 per cent annually between now and 2030.

Unified communications (UC) platforms streamline business communication by combining voice, video and messaging into one interface, and are often offered as a subscription package.

However, according to the Forbes Finance Council, paying for too many subscriptions and underutilising the services your company pays for are two key ways that businesses waste money.

So how can business owners ascertain what to invest in, and how much is too much?

Knowing when to spend

With SME insolvencies at their highest rate in ten years, it is understandable that businesses are concerned about the effects of excessive tech spending. However, business owners should not be dissuaded from investing in business comms tech that will help futureproof their company.

For example, with the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) due to be switched off in December 2025, businesses that are still using copper-based telephone lines should prioritise upgrading their connectivity. Although the initial cost and set-up can be daunting, the consequences of not switching means your company will be left without a functioning phone system.

The long-term benefits of making the change to a system such as UC can also save businesses money, by allowing staff to use their time more efficiently rather than trying to navigate clunky legacy systems.

But with the PSTN switch off just around the corner, how can businesses avoid rushing into a subscription for a service that costs them large sums of money and ultimately may not suit them?

Money-saving strategies

When investing in a comms system, it is important that business owners consider the needs of their individual company so that they can manage the risks the switchover brings. In a recent KPMG digital transformation survey, 63 per cent of executives agreed that managing the risks of new software at an early stage is essential to ensuring digital transformations are successful.

An effective way of managing risks is by performing an audit of your company’s current business tech set-up. This can help you ascertain what type of comms system you would be looking for, how many user logins you need and the number of features you would be looking for within your subscription. Having a clear idea of requirements can prevent your business from wasting money.

Crystaline offers a six-step audit and , which begins with assessing your current tech pain points, before recommending and implementing a tailored business comms set-up. After implementation, we monitor and manage the system by offering maintenance and support services. Finally, we continually review your set-up to identify any issues or areas for improvement.

With businesses facing increasing pressure to digitally transform their comms systems in light of the upcoming PSTN switch off, it can be tempting for business owners to choose the first system they see. However, starting now with a considered approach to upgrading your business comms not only stops you wasting money but ensures you will find a system that works for years to come.

To learn more about Crystaline’s business IT consultancy services and range of connectivity options, .