Gartner defines communications platform as a service (CPaaS) as a cloud-based platform used by developers, the IT team and other nontechnical business roles to build an array of communications-related capabilities using APIs, SDKs, documentation and no-code/low-code visual builders. The CPaaS tools facilitate access to multiple communications channels spanning voice, SMS, email, messaging apps, video and conversational capabilities, along with security. The purpose of CPaaS is to enable enterprises to improve communications workflows by providing simplified access to multiple communications capabilities. CPaaS enables enterprises to shorten 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’s modular/composable in design and can expand from initial single-use cases to many others as additional business units learn of its value. CPaaS capabilities can also be consumed in a wholesale model, powering third-party cloud vendor offerings such as contact center, CRM, multichannel marketing and ERP. There are also wholesale use cases in which CPaaS providers wholesale to each other and telcos.
Gartner defines the customer service business process outsourcing (CS BPO) market as the delegation of customer service (CS) business process activities to support existing and potential clients to a third-party service provider. The services provided may include digital services, assisted channel services, technology and system integration, infrastructure, software development and design, reporting and analytics, and business process management.
Edge Distribution Platform (EDP) is a highly distributed, edge-based, integrated network and cloud delivery infrastructure. It provides as-a-service functionalities such as edge compute and storage, web application and perimeter security, content and API acceleration, and data and analytics and AI applications. Edge distribution platform providers offer these functionalities by deploying network, compute, storage and caching nodes across geographically distributed self-owned or third party data center locations. Figure 1 shows the functionalities and potential offerings provided from an edge distribution platform
Gartner defines global WAN services as POP-based services supporting multiregional corporate networks across geographies. These services address enterprise challenges such as changing working practices, accelerating digital and cloud transformations, and improving the agility of enterprise networks. Providers own and operate their own global core networks and sell directly to the client. Services include transport-centric/unmanaged, managed, co-managed, or network as a service via a monthly recurring fixed or usage-based model. Core transport services are often complemented by ancillary services like carrier-based cloud interconnect, managed software-defined WAN (SD-WAN), SASE or managed dual-vendor SASE with SD-WAN paired with SSE security. Services are measurable and consumable through web-based customer interfaces via portals and programmable APIs. As digital business initiatives increase the demands on the enterprise network, enterprises rely on global WAN services to deliver global and regional fixed, wide-area networking connectivity. These services consist of backbone network transport and last-mile access connections to deliver connectivity to individual enterprise sites, such as large or remote/branch office locations. Although these are core to the offer, service providers also offer more transformational capabilities enabled by the underlay service network.
Gartner defines managed hybrid cloud hosting (MHCH) as a standardized, productized offering that combines a cloud-enabled system infrastructure platform — consisting of a pool of compute, network and storage hardware — with cloud infrastructure framework software to facilitate self-service and rapid provisioning. In addition to offering this service from cloud infrastructure located in its own data center, the provider must offer a choice of using a hyperscale public infrastructure as a service (IaaS) provider or an Asian country-specific, large-scale IaaS provider. The infrastructure platform should be located both in a service provider's data center for the cloud-enabled system infrastructure (CESI) platform and in an Asia country for the public IaaS platform. It also requires the use of a standardized deployment across all service provider customers and leverages a single codebase.
Gartner defines managed IoT connectivity services as a market that enables connectivity, data collection and analysis, and additional decision services that are necessary for connected solutions. For large organizations, managed IoT connectivity services are normally delivered fully managed, including dedicated help desk and project and service management capabilities. For midsize and small organizations, they are frequently delivered as a self-service provided through an IoT connectivity management portal, including Level 2 and Level 3 back-office support. Connections can use various technologies. Connections can be cellular (2G, 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G); satellite, low-power wide-area (LPWA) networks (3GPP and non-3GPP); and managed field-area networks (FANs). Public hot spots are not part of the scope. Managed IoT connectivity services also enable businesses and IoT providers to collect, analyze and interact with data streams, thus providing businesses with the ability to monitor, manage and control (manually and through automation) assets associated with business processes. This includes connected consumer, commercial or industrial products. Additionally, managed IoT connectivity services may encompass integrated and managed IT infrastructure and systems, operational technology (OT) infrastructure and systems, software, network services (connectivity), and IT services. Managed IoT connectivity services are a solution element within the broader solution sets of digital businesses and OT systems in enterprise environments.
The managed network services (MNS) market focuses on externally provided, network operations center (NOC) functionality, as well as relevant network and security life cycle services that deliver current and emerging requirements to end users. Gartner defines the MNS market as globally capable providers of remote service management functions for the network and security operations of enterprise networks, including: Managed LAN services (MNS for LAN) Managed WAN services (MNS for WAN) Managed security (MNS for security) functions
MSSs provide organizations with a variety of management and operational services specific to security technologies and business outcomes for security. Capabilities include security monitoring, detection and response, exposure assessment and management as well as security consulting and security technology implementation. MSSs are delivered in a variety of modes, in the providers’ cloud infrastructure, as consultative engagements or through staff augmentation and on-premises. MSS providers offer a variety of different engagement models. These include heavily customized and consultancy-led models and commoditized technology management-driven experiences.
All unified communications (UC) solutions are intended principally to improve user productivity and enhance business processes that relate to communications and collaboration. Gartner defines UC solutions — equipment, software and services — as offerings that facilitate the use of multiple enterprise communications methods to achieve those aims. UC solutions integrate communications channels (media), networks and systems, as well as IT business applications, and, in some cases, consumer applications and devices. UC offers the ability to significantly improve how individuals, groups and companies interact and perform. The UC solutions that enterprises deploy range from stand-alone suites from single vendors, to integrated applications and platforms from multiple vendors. UC is often deployed to extend and add functionality to established communications investments.
Gartner defines unified communications as a service (UCaaS) as a multitenant, subscription-based service. It is cloud-delivered, and it provides business telephony features; external, public switched telephone network (PSTN) connectivity that enables inbound or outbound calling; and collaboration features, such as messaging and meetings. UCaaS services can be consumed by end users with traditional handsets, desktop clients, meeting room systems and mobile apps. Gartner’s definition of meetings for the UCaaS market focuses on the capabilities for internal collaboration, work from home and external presentation meeting use cases only. Other specialized use cases — such as webinar, remote support, distance learning and training — are often available from UCaaS offerings, but are not mandatory for this research. These use cases are part of a separate market defined by Gartner (meeting solutions).