What is CPaaS (Communication Platform as a Service) and How it Can Improve Your Business Communication Strategy?
CPaaS, or Communication Platform as a Service, is a cloud-based solution that enables businesses to integrate various communication channels such as voice, text, and video into their applications. It allows companies to easily add communication capabilities to their systems without the need for expensive infrastructure or specialized development resources. Think of it as a one-stop shop for all your communication needs, from SMS and voice calling to video conferencing and more. With CPaaS, businesses can easily scale their communication capabilities as their needs change, making it a cost-effective and flexible solution.
A CPaaS offers a complete development framework for building real-time communications features without having to build your own. This typically includes software tools, standards-based application programming interfaces (APIs), sample code, and pre-built applications. CPaaS providers also provide support and product documentation to help developers throughout the development process. Some companies also offer software development kits (SDKs) and libraries for building applications on different desktop and mobile platforms.
Success Stories:
Considerations to Make Before Entering the CPaaS Market as a Provide
When starting to sell your own Communication APIs, there are three key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to ensure that your IT team has a secure and tested suite of APIs for Voice, Video, and Messaging all under one roof. Secondly, it is essential that the APIs and code samples are well-tested and well-documented to ensure ease of use for developers. Lastly, it can be beneficial to provide developers with a low-code visual development environment that allows them to design apps with a drag-and-drop interface in minutes, with the option to see a demonstration of this feature.
Marketing and Selling Communication APIs:
Who are the Target Customers?
When it comes to selling Communication APIs, it’s important to understand your target audience. Who are the individuals and organizations that would be most interested in using your API? Potential target customers include web and mobile developers, IT support and network administrators, SaaS companies such as ZenDesk, Salesforce, and FreshDesk, financial institutions, enterprises in various industries (airlines, travel, real estate, health, banks) and government institutions, and non-profit organizations. Understanding your target market will help you create a more effective sales strategy and reach the right people.
Empowering Your Sales Team with the Knowledge to Effectively Sell CPaaS
When it comes to selling CPaaS, it’s important to have a sales team that is well-equipped to handle technical questions and discussions. Without proper training and knowledge about the capabilities of the technology, sales representatives may struggle to confidently answer customer questions and effectively communicate the value of CPaaS. To address this, I recommend that CSPs include at least one programmer or developer in sales meetings who is familiar with the technology and can provide technical expertise as needed.
This will not only help to ensure that customer evaluations of the technology are accurate, but it will also allow sales team members to focus on commercial aspects of the sale such as pricing. By bringing together development and commercial teams, CSPs can more effectively sell CPaaS.