Gartner defines communications platform as a service (CPaaS) as a cloud-based platform that enables businesses to embed a range of communications capabilities into applications over channels such as voice, SMS, email, messaging apps, and video. They also provide conversational capabilities, security, authentication, and automation. CPaaS delivers omnichannel, programmable experiences to enhance digital customer engagement. In 2026 and beyond, CPaaS aims to offer deeper capabilities, such as customer journey analytics, automation, personalization, and omnichannel engagement driven by AI and 5G. The purpose of CPaaS is to enable enterprises to enhance their communication workflows by providing simplified access to multiple communication capabilities without requiring the complex architectures typically needed to leverage these channels. CPaaS enables enterprises to shorten the time to market for new products and services, personalize communications, and orchestrate customer journeys across multiple channels. It delivers digital engagement and operationalizes customer experience, while also driving business efficiencies at scale with digital service delivery. It is modular/composable in design and can expand from initial single use cases to many others as additional business units learn of its value.
Live commerce in retail includes capabilities to interact with remote customers through either one-to-one or one-to-many interactions in real time. Functionalities include interaction execution (for example, video calls, co-browsing, interactive chat) and performance data for optimizing live commerce experiences. Integrations with back-end systems enable real-time product information and check-out. Deployment of live commerce takes place through front-end integration with customer touchpoints, including commerce platforms, mobile apps, online marketplaces and social networks. Live commerce can be conducted by store associates (one-to-one interactions), from a dark store or warehouse by the dedicated employees in that particular location (one-to-one and one to many), from anywhere in collaboration with influencers and key opinion leaders (one to many), and from anywhere, through virtual promoters.
Productivity and Collaboration refer to products and services that enhance how teams work together, manage projects, and drive innovation across the enterprise. This category includes markets that focus on enabling organizations to streamline resource planning, improve cross-functional collaboration, and boost employee engagement through integrated tools for communication, task management, and workflow optimization.