Vodafone, RingCentral upgrade joint Unified Comms platform

Vodafone and RingCentral have launched new enhancements to their joint ‘Vodafone Business Unified Communications (VBUC)’ collaboration and calling platform, placing mobile devices at the heart of the user experience.

With access to RingCentral’s leading mobile applications, powered by Vodafone’s award-winning mobile network, the VBUC platform now provides an intuitive, unified experience that lets users make calls, send messages, and launch HD quality video meetings.

All these benefits are seamless and effectively turn your iOS or Android mobile device into a full extension of your office – whether working remotely or on the go.

Plus, following the application of a Unified Directory system, it is now easier to connect and collaborate with colleagues across your organisation – including those who do not have a VBUC license.

First launched in 2022 for large enterprise customers, VBUC has been expanded to cater to the needs of businesses of all sizes including small-to-medium enterprises.

These enhancements will provide organisations with the tools they’ll need to help them adapt to new ways of working, keeping up with changes in how employees communicate. They also replace outdated fixed telephone systems (an essential need for businesses who are preparing for existing networks – Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) – to be shut down in 2025).

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The enhancements follow new research from Vodafone Business and RingCentral which has revealed the leading bugbears for hybrid workers when working from home.

With organisations now adapting their workplace policies to suit the requirements of staff who need to work remotely, or split their time between the office and elsewhere, the findings found that workers wanted to feel connected to their organisation and empowered by the tools they were provided with.

Claire Harris, Vodafone’s Head of Small, Medium and Enterprise Business in the UK, said: “At Vodafone we are committed to providing businesses with access to market-leading communication solutions, powered by our award-winning network.

“These new enhancements effectively turn employee mobile devices into a true and complete extension of the office, which is positive news for those who work remotely, are constantly on the go, or constantly have connectivity issues with their broadband – which ultimately affects business efficiency and productivity.

“We will continue to add new enhancements to the VBUC platform over time, as we continue to empower businesses with the tools they’ll need to rapidly adapt to an ever-changing work environment.”

Yves Desmet, Senior Vice President, International Service Providers, RingCentral, said: “At RingCentral we are focused on bringing people the best communications capabilities across team messaging, video meetings, and a cloud phone system.

“We are delighted to go one step further with our partnership with Vodafone, bringing to the market a powerful differentiated solution which puts mobile at heart of the user experience.

“VBUC new capabilities will enable customers to work anywhere on any device, simplifying the way they communicate to answer most of today’s hybrid work concerns.”