Effective phone systems have been integral to business success ever since the telephone was invented. VoIP solutions replaced PBX systems in the 1990s, making it so businesses were able to run their own phone system without being charged for individual phone lines or additional hardware.
Fast-forward to 2021, where cloud phone systems have overtaken the costly and relatively unsafe VoIP solutions. Cloud communications shifts such responsibilities as safety to the cloud provider. What’s more, on-premise equipment can now be hosted in the cloud. Upfront costs are minimal for installing the system and they typically run well without downtime.
While desk phones are still popular in workplaces, any device that is connected to the internet can be used as a phone, whether it’s your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. A cloud business phone system operates wherever you operate. Moreover, cloud phone systems provide the same functionality and features of a PBX but allow you to simply add and remove features and users as required.
Businesses across the world are making the obvious switch to cloud phone systems. But how do you go about choosing the right cloud-based system? Whether it’s a phone system for small business or an international corporation, you have to know why you are installing cloud technology.
It’s important to answer these three considerations to help you make your decision.
Why Are You Making The Cloud-based Switch?
There are many reasons why your business may be making the switch. Are you trying to cut back on phone costs? Are you trying to create a more flexible, mobile working environment? Are you trying to create more collaboration among teams?
Cloud phone systems can achieve many functionalities, so it’s good to know which ones you are hoping to attain and then search for the one that provides the best option. You also want to develop a strategic plan regarding the new system and how it can help achieve business goals.
What Functionalities Are Most Important To You?
The COVID-19 pandemic created a new work from the home era. Cloud-based phone technology provides amazing capabilities for people working remotely. Cloud phone technology provides the same tools and capabilities they had working in the office but at home, as well as consistent, reliable communication.
Not everyone wants to give their personal mobile number to clients, and checking a desk phone extension’s voicemail is not a very efficient or enjoyable way to work. Cloud technology allows remote staff to make and receive calls from various devices at once.
What Tools & Capabilities Should Be Integrated Into Your Cloud-based System?
Cloud-based technology is often integrated with a customer relationship management (CRM) and company website to support customer engagement strategies and marketing. If you operate a contact center, integration with your cloud phone system can improve productivity, increase key performance metrics and enhance business flexibility.
With cloud-based technology, you don’t have to operate a contact center in a physical location. Staff can operate remotely, with instant access to a full history of a client’s interactions as soon as they call. They can even move from voice to chat to text without having to switch between apps and devices. Calls that don’t necessarily require human interaction can be made via an interactive voice response (IVR) system.
How Secure Is The System?
Security is always a major concern for businesses, and the same went on during the early days of cloud operation. Cloud-based technology is today regarded as incredibly secure, but it’s best to look into the security history of your potential choice to ensure they have a good record.
Start Searching!
Once you have answered these key considerations, you can then use them to find your perfect cloud phone system.
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