July 14, 2023
Businesses today are increasingly aware of the benefits that cloud IT systems can offer them. However considerably less people are aware of cloud phone systems, often confusing them with voice over IP (VOIP).
What is a Cloud Phone System?
A cloud (or hosted) phone system, as you would expect is the same concept as cloud IT systems. Effectively this technology eliminates the need for expensive, inflexible on premise hardware.
So what about VOIP?
A cloud phone system is still a VOIP system, the difference is that whilst VOIP systems have many benefits over traditional phone systems, if they are not cloud based, then you still require expensive hardware on-site.
What are the benefits?
A traditional system (Including many VOIP Systems) requires on-site hardware, which means a high initial capital investment as well as expensive on-going maintenance and support services, since it is typically very complicated to manage.
With a cloud system, all the infrastructure is hosted in highly secure data centres, so a business using this type of system simply needs an internet connection and telephone handsets. This means that there is no initial capital investment as the system is delivered as a service and any handsets can be included as part of the monthly service fees.
When you consider a traditional system, what would happen if the lines into your business fail? Or even worse should the building burn down? Usually this would result in a great deal of down time without phones, meaning your customers and prospects cannot reach you.
In contrast with a hosted phone system, your employees could simply pickup their phones and plug them in at another location with an internet connection, where they would instantly be able to user their phone on the same number and extension. Alternatively if they cannot access their desk phones, they can still use their normal business phone number using a softphone on their computers, an App on mobile devices and tablets, or they can even use a web browser to make and receive calls from any computer with an internet connection.
With a cloud system, all the infrastructure is hosted in highly secure data centres, so a business using this type of system simply needs an internet connection and telephone handsets. This means that there is no initial capital investment as the system is delivered as a service and any handsets can be included as part of the monthly service fees.
When you consider a traditional system, what would happen if the lines into your business fail? Or even worse should the building burn down? Usually this would result in a great deal of down time without phones, meaning your customers and prospects cannot reach you.
In contrast with a hosted phone system, your employees could simply pickup their phones and plug them in at another location with an internet connection, where they would instantly be able to user their phone on the same number and extension. Alternatively if they cannot access their desk phones, they can still use their normal business phone number using a softphone on their computers, an App on mobile devices and tablets, or they can even use a web browser to make and receive calls from any computer with an internet connection.
How reliable is the system?
A quality cloud based phone system is not just about features and front end functionality, the infrastructure supporting it is of vital importance.
Some budget solutions may attempt to distract people with lot’s of features and functionality, which are important, but even more important are the systems behind it.
A good solution will have multiple data centres across the globe, with cutting edge hardware, software and security. This ensures that the service is delivered effectively, but also that in the event of a datacenter being unavailable, the service automatically fails over to another centre, without even dropping your call if you are on the line at the time.
This means you have true disaster recovery, as you can be confident that the back end infrastructure will always be available, and you have the additional peace of mind that your phone can work anywhere with an internet connection.
Some budget solutions may attempt to distract people with lot’s of features and functionality, which are important, but even more important are the systems behind it.
A good solution will have multiple data centres across the globe, with cutting edge hardware, software and security. This ensures that the service is delivered effectively, but also that in the event of a datacenter being unavailable, the service automatically fails over to another centre, without even dropping your call if you are on the line at the time.
This means you have true disaster recovery, as you can be confident that the back end infrastructure will always be available, and you have the additional peace of mind that your phone can work anywhere with an internet connection.
But I still want lots of features?
The great news is that with a quality cloud solution there are more features available than ever. Also because you now have a service rather than physical hardware, as new features and functionality are released, you benefit from them straight away without having to upgrade/replace expensive equipment.
In addition as telephony moves into what we call unified communications, you can now benefit from instant messaging, video calls, video & conference calls and social media features all from your cloud phone platform.
Cloud telephony services are growing rapidly as businesses are learning, how they can have increased functionality, simplified disaster recovery, more flexibility and reduced communication costs.
If you would like to find out more, please do get in touch.