As the deployment of business unified communications (UC) and VoIP systems continues to grow, the need for a more comprehensive management approach is evident. Administration, troubleshooting, and provisioning such systems are becoming increasingly complex, and a holistic management approach is vital.
Yealink provides two complete solutions for streamlining device management, each with its own focus and utility. In this article, we examine both solutions and describe the benefits they offer businesses of all types and sizes that leverage Yealink VoIP and UC systems.
Yealink’s management systems
Yealink offers two solutions for VoIP and UC device management: the Yealink Management Cloud Service (YMCS) and the Yealink Device Management Platform (YDMP). These systems are similar in their approaches to device management but differ in their deployment methodologies. Each one is ideal for a particular deployment scenario.
Yealink Management Cloud Service (YMCS)
As its name suggests, the YMCS is a cloud-based turnkey solution. Hosted on Microsoft’s Azure infrastructure, it is available for any deployment of Yealink devices. Offering a web-based management interface, it allows you to control your devices from a single location, without the need to install or set up any YMCS infrastructure.. It is capable of managing both room systems and individual phones.
Key YMCS features include:
- Centralized management of IP phones, video conferencing devices, and room systems
- Remote provisioning, configuration, and firmware updates
- A web-based interface accessible from anywhere
- Real-time monitoring and fault diagnosis
- No need for installation or local maintenance
Because it is hosted and maintained by Yealink, organizations can benefit from rapid deployment and reduced operational overhead. YMCS provides built-in scalability with zero maintenance cost in terms of either time or money, which makes it an ideal choice both for companies with limited resources and those with a cloud-first strategy.
Yealink Device Management Platform (YDMP)
YDMP is a self-hosted, on-premises solution for managing video and voice communication endpoint devices. Enterprises with their own data center infrastructures can deploy YDMP as an additional service on their existing networks. Like YMCS, it offers a web-based interface for managing UC and voice systems, including room systems and individual phones.
Here are some key features of YDMP:
- Local hosting and complete administrative control
- Device provisioning and batch configuration
- Real-time monitoring and alerts
- Deep IP PBX and API integration
- Multi-tenant support for service providers or large enterprises
- Support for room systems, IP phones, and video devices
These features support organizations with strict data residency or compliance requirements, ensuring that no personal data is stored off-premises. It is geared more towards businesses that maintain their own data center infrastructure and have in-house expertise to install, maintain, and manage the solution on-site.
Device support
Both systems support a wide range of Yealink devices, including both IP phones and DECT cordless telephone systems. Video and room systems certified for Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Android are also fully supported. Additional peripherals can be added as inventory with limited management capabilities, including:
- Webcams: The UVC34 and UVC84 webcams, for example, can be added as inventory, but without any advanced management.
- USB speakerphones and audio devices: The CP700 and CP900 devices can also be visible in the system, but with limited configuration.
- Headsets: The WH62 and WH66 are also supported via USB/wireless dongle, especially when using YMCS.
The following table summarizes the support and management capabilities for various categories of devices in each system.
Choosing the right platform
Although not identical, both systems offer much the same level of management and control of the devices themselves, as you can see in the table above. The differences between the two options have more to do with the method of deployment. For this reason, the choice between these two solutions is typically based less on functionality and more on the desired deployment model as well as the business’s infrastructure and strategic ICT direction.
One notable difference is cost, at least for large enterprises. Both options are free for up to 1,000 devices, but YMCS does have an additional annual fee for each device beyond that. You can also purchase additional management capabilities for room systems for a cost per room per year. Additional room capabilities include remote control, ServiceNow alarms, and usage insights.
To aid in choosing between the two, the following table highlights the differences between the two systems.
Conclusion
Both YMCS and YDMP are powerful tools in an ICT department’s arsenal, allowing administrators to efficiently manage and monitor Yealink devices across their full lifecycles—from initial provisioning to ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting, and firmware updates.
With its cloud-first and on-premises-first approach options, Yealink provides a customized solution for each business’s needs. By understanding the details of each choice, you can better decide which solution aligns best with your operational goals, compliance requirements, and network architecture.
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