Outsourcing firm Capita has unveiled a new cloud-based unified communications service targeted at aiding local government in modernising communication and collaboration between employees.
The new 'Unified Communications in the Cloud' service brings together Cisco's Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS) with Capita's secure cloud and service management capabilities to deliver collaborative technologies including instant messaging, voice, video, conferencing and presence from desktop phones, PCs, tablets and smartphones.
Capita claimed that the service would help organisations reduce costs and transform the way they work, helping to increase productivity and deliver excellent service without the need for significant capital expenditure. It said the service is primarily aimed at public and private sector organisations, including local government, healthcare organisations and highly regulated businesses.
It said the service enables staff to work from anywhere on any device, increasing mobility and facilitating virtual teams and remote working. Employees will be able to connect to team members from anywhere.
The private cloud service will be hosted in Capita's secure, tier 3 UK data centres, guaranteeing UK data sovereignty and data security up to OFFICIAL.
The outsourcing firm said organisations would also benefit from predictable utility pricing - pay per user, per month - and the ability to flex the service according to needs, such as when there is increased demand during election periods.
Updates are included as part of the monthly subscription, meaning customers are kept up-to-date with the latest tools and features at no extra cost.
Capita has also partnered with VOSS Solutions to build a cloud migration programme to enable thousands of users to migrate to the new platform without business disruption - vital for councils providing crucial services to local communities. Unified Communications in the Cloud is part of Capita's Collaboration Suite, which delivers back-office unified communications, together with front-office contact centre technology, both from the cloud and managed on the same platform.
Peter Hands, executive director at Capita IT Enterprise Services, said: "We work with local councils and government agencies across the country and understand the challenges they are facing, including the need to reduce costs while maintaining service levels. Capita Unified Communications in the Cloud helps councils meet those challenges, enabling smarter ways of working and allowing staff to make the best use of multiple communication channels."
