Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS)
A platform as a service (PaaS) is a platform that allows developers to build, run, and manage applications without having to implement and maintain the underlying hardware, software, and infrastructure-which is all hosted by the PaaS provider. PaaS enables developers to deploy faster, with less domain-specific knowledge required and far less infrastructure overhead costs.
CPaaS is a specific type of PaaS that enables developers to integrate real-time communication capabilities, such as voice calling and messaging, directly into their applications. In short, CPaaS delivers programmable communication services.
Who needs CPaaS?
CPaaS is a must-have for any business or developer who wants to incorporate real-time voice and messaging capabilities seamlessly into their applications and systems to enhance customer engagement and streamline workflows.
Benefits of CPaaS
Working with a CPaaS partner enables you to build communications features into your applications without having to build out a telecommunications infrastructure. It also enables your team-who likely does not have deep communications domain expertise-to develop these capabilities using their language of choice.
What do you get from a CPaaS provider?
A CPaaS provider will deliver APIs, a platform, and services to vastly simplify the work needed to add communications to an existing system. The APIs, which can be integrated with a few lines of code and be up and running in minutes, work well with common programming languages, use popular data formats, and use well-established HTTP comments. A good CPaaS provider will also offer developer resources like quickstarts, code examples, and SDKs, as well as microservices in Docker containers for easy integration.
CPaaS use cases
The potential use cases for CPaaS are boundless. Here are just a few examples of the most common ways businesses use CPaaS:
- Embedding communications within CRMs and other customer-service apps to improve agent workflow and enhance customer engagement.
- Sending texts to provide appointment reminders, order or service information, and other transactional notifications.
- Implementing an interactive voice response (IVR) system.
- Tracking, analyzing, and transcribing voice calls.
- Adding click-to-call to a website to improve customer service access.
- Enabling two-factor authentication via text to increase the security of your application.
- The list goes on and on and is limited only by your imagination.
Selecting a CPaaS partner
When evaluating a potential CPaaS partner, consider the following:
- Range of APIs they offer and the features they support
- Ease of use
- Levels of developer and technical support available to you
- Domain expertise of the CPaaS development and support teams
- Scalability considerations
- Business model and cost structure
- Structure and reliability of the network
- Reputation of the company
Flowroute: Your CPaaS partner for mission-critical, communication-enabled applications
Flowroute is a self-service, 100% cloud-based CPaaS that gives developers and businesses everything they need to build and run robust communication-enabled applications. Our simple-to-use, functional APIs and a la carte components with volume pricing enable you to build just the right solution to launch and scale without breaking the bank. And we're the only platform in the US that provides true resiliency for DIDs.
