Ask the Experts: What Does UCaaS Mean?

Welcome to Ask the Experts, brought to you by CloudServicesUniversity.com. In this video, Intelisys’ SVP Cloud Transformation Andrew Pryfogle answers the question, “What does UCaaS mean?” with the help of Masergy’s Director of UCaaS Maurie Munro. Find out more about global cloud networking platforms for enterprises from Maurie and the Masergy team here: http://masergy.cloudservicesuniversity.com/

Andrew: Okay, guys. Time for our next Ask the Experts session. I’ve asked to come back into the studio again Maurie Munro, the Director of UCaaS for Masergy. Maurie, good to see you again, man.
Maurie: You, too. Thank you very much.
Andrew: All right, very cool. Maurie, there’s a lot of definitions flying around out there about what does UCaaS really mean? You and I have been in the hosted VoIP game for a long time. We now call this same thing UCaaS. It seems to encompass a lot more. If somebody, kind of a neophyte was to ask you, “Hey, Maurie. What does UCaaS mean?” What would your simple definition be?
Maurie: I think it’s simply the portfolio services that are offered that allow user productivity and collaborative experiences that reach far beyond the traditional VoIP or basic inbound and outbound calling. We’re giving you a portfolio of services that encompass everything from instant message presence, conferencing, collaboration; and when you combine that suite of services, you really do get unified communications as a service.
Andrew: Yep. Got it. That makes sense. It seems like it’s all the different ways that we communicate as businesses, all kind of wrapped together in a unified experience. The experience isn’t kind of disparate between them. Is that true?
Maurie: Exactly. The oversimplification of just VoIP, where we had that predominantly five years ago—without the additional services, that’s all it was. Now that these additional technologies have really become prevalent, I think that all the carriers are seeking a portfolio that can bundle the capabilities into customer implementations.
You subsequently get the UCaaS designation and it’s an important consideration. By no means should it be just VoIP. It is that simple suite of products that really gives customers the capability to come to a provider and obtain all the needs of their business.
Andrew: Yeah. Very cool. It’s the realization for me that there’s . . . The way we communicate is far beyond just the telephone–and how do I unify all of that into one experience, because where you’re at is where you communicate on any device, anywhere. Right? That’s the big value.
Very cool. Hey, Maurie, thanks man. Simple question. Great answer. I appreciate that. That’ll help our partners, I know. Guys, that’s Maurie Munro. He’s the Director of UCaaS with Masergy, one of our go to cloud-based UCaaS providers in our portfolio. Make sure you check out their learning center, guys. Learn about what they’re doing in the UCaaS space. They’re winning big deals in this space, especially with global deployments. Make sure you go deep and understand what’s unique about them. Hope you get some success with them, guys. Good selling.

Ken Mills

President

Ken Mills serves as President of Intelisys and is committed to driving growth for Intelisys and our partners. As a distinguished technology executive with over two decades of experience, Ken has previously held leadership roles at EPIC iO, Dell Technologies and Cisco, and served as a fellow with the U.S. Department of State. His strategic mindset has been an integral part of launching innovative products and solutions in the fields of AI, IoT, and 5G. Ken is driven by his curiosity and passion for groundbreaking technology and complex problems, and constantly explores new frontiers in the world of technology.

Monica Lutes

Manager, People & Culture, ScanSource, Inc. and Intelisys

As Manager, People & Culture, Monica has worked closely with Intelisys employees and leaders since 2018 and has worked with ScanSource companies since 2016. A Human Resources professional with 11 years of experience encompassing all areas of HR, especially employee relations, recruiting, compliance, and training, Monica approaches her role as Manager, People & Culture from a consultative perspective. Her goal is to provide advice and guidance to leaders so they can focus on growing the best teams for the business while also supporting employees’ goals.

Ansley Hoke

SVP Marketing, ScanSource, Inc. and Intelisys

Ansley Hoke is the Senior Vice President of Marketing at ScanSource, Inc., a role she has held since 2019, and extended her leadership to include Intelisys in 2023. She joined the company in 2001, serving in merchandising leadership roles for ScanSource POS and Barcode, including acting Vice President of Merchandising and then later VP of Merchandising for ScanSource Catalyst and overall VP of ScanSource Catalyst. She oversaw sales, supplier relations, and services. Known for her pivotal role in creating effective marketing strategies, Ansley has been integral in driving demand, enhancing partner programs, and significantly contributing to the company’s revenue growth and channel relationships.

Mike Baur

CEO of ScanSource, Inc. and Interim President of Intelisys

Mike Baur serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at ScanSource. Mike has served as the Company’s President or CEO since its inception, as a director since December 1995, and as Chairman of the Board since February 2019. Mike has developed a deep institutional knowledge and perspective regarding ScanSource’s strengths, challenges and opportunities. He has more than 30 years of experience in the IT industry, having served in various leadership and senior management roles in the technology and distribution industries before joining ScanSource. Mike brings strong leadership, entrepreneurial, business building and development skills and experience to the Board.

Stephanie Bouras

Regional Vice President, Southeast

Driven by a partner-first philosophy and a passion for innovation, Bouras embodies a leadership style that’s both compassionate and data-driven. As the Regional Vice President, Southeast, at Intelisys, she’s leveraged her extensive marketing and sales experience to propel her team to new heights. A firm believer in aligning herself with her partners, she sees herself as a collaborator and an integral part of their business. This perspective has allowed her to forge deep connections and drive success. A Florida native, Stephanie’s attention to detail and unwavering commitment to her partners have been key factors in her success.

Michael Raspanti

Regional Vice President, Northeast

Michael joined Intelisys in June of 2020, as a long-time channel veteran. He is responsible for leading the Northeast Region, helping continue the tremendous momentum in one of our strongest markets while also recruiting new up and coming partners that will be the growth engine of our future success.

Kristy Thomas

Vice President, Partner Experience and Enablement

Thomas is responsible for Sales Partner enablement and education for all our technology segments, including CX, managed security, mobility, and connectivity. With over 20 years of executive background in telephony, UCaaS, CCaaS and Cloud services, Kristy enables her customers to think broader and deeper as she guides them through their decision journey. Some of the biggest deals in the channel have become a reality thanks to the expertise and humble excellence Kristy brings to her client’s projects.