Cloud computing has become a popular term in the technology field in recent years. Almost 75% of companies globally have embraced a cloud-based platform for easy data accessing. As per the business analysts, the value of the cloud-based market would rise to a whopping 160 billion approximately.
With cloud services becoming more popular, it’s important to understand what they do and why your business would want to use them. One type of cloud service seeing widespread adoption in the business world is switching to a cloud-based phone system.
Not just the corporate companies, even the start-up businesses can profit using cloud-based phone systems. Added benefits like a unified communication system, off-site data storage can get your business on the path of success.
Plus, due to this pandemic situation caused by CORONAVIRUS, there are so many employees working remotely from their homes, and it is necessary to communicate with them. Internet-based phones make it easier to connect with them.
Here in this article, you will get to know why tech-savvy companies are shifting to the cloud-based phone system and why you should too,
Cloud Computing
Could computing, in the broader sense, refer to a type of on-demand service for computing resources, applications, and systems. An advantage of cloud systems is that they are run from centralized data centers that are accessible anywhere via the internet. While your old databases may have been located on-site (with each office or location having its own hardware), a cloud database will have one core location that all employees can access no matter their location. Cloud-based systems can be for one or multiple companies. Advantages of cloud services include reduced cost, scalability, and easier accessibility.
Advantages Of Cloud-Based Phone Systems:
- Lower Cost: one of the first advantages you’ll note with cloud-based phone systems is their affordability. The reduction in needed hardware is only one of the areas where you’ll save money. You also don’t have to worry about associated upkeep costs, maintenance, or repairs, as the majority of cloud-based services are hosted by third-party companies. Even upgrading the system or adding high-end features comes with zero to minimal costing. Your phones will be connected to the internet, which means you will only need to pay the usage cost. So, you will be paying for the bandwidth and hostage costs. The cloud phone providers will charge a monthly fee for each phone line or seat.
- Easier To Use and Manage: unlike traditional phone systems, you can make changes to your cloud-based phone system from a web-portal backend allowing you to perform common tasks such as configuring voicemail, changing access settings, changing phone numbers, updating names, and more.
- Easier To Scale: your business needs can change, reducing or increasing the number of resources you need for your phone system. A cloud-based phone system allows you to make changes to the number of accounts you need and associated features in real-time allowing you to react to business needs as they occur.
- Accessibility: with remote work and teleworking becoming more common, easier access to company resources is key. A cloud-based phone system is highly flexible, allowing users to access it through various soft-phone software, VOIP phone devices, and smartphone apps.
- Easy CRM Integration: There will be no problem while installing and integrating the cloud-based phone systems with your company’s CRM (Customer Relationship Management). This way, it would be easy to maintain data flow and business acumen. You can also utilize features like single-click calls to vendors, clients, partners. This phone system can help you to organize flexible sales campaigns.
- Improved Security: You don’t have to worry about your data security while using a private cloud solution. Top cloud providers adhere to stringent ISO security to secure any company’s data. So, when you are shifting to a cloud-based solution, make sure you clarify all your doubts about data privacy and confidentiality.
- Disaster Recovery: Maintaining data in hard drives can get damaged due to disasters like earthquakes, fires or floods. However, in such a digital world, you can not risk losing your or your clients’ data at any cost. With the help of a cloud-based system, you can retrieve all the data even if you face such disasters. You can have resilient phone service if it is cloud-based.
Yes, there are many advantages to using a cloud-based phone system for your business. However, there are some problems that you might face while shifting to a cloud-based solution. Here are some cons of using a cloud-based phone system.
Phone & Router Requirement
You need some equipment before you switch to the cloud-based system. You need IP phones, routers and ethernet ports to install the system. Although these items are in the economic range, you still need to buy everything at the initial stage.
Network Disruption
Working with a reliable internet service provider and having a high-redundancy cloud phone system will save you from troubles such as call drops or network problems.
However, if your internet gets dropped several times in a day, then it would disrupt your cloud system. That’s why it is recommended to get a professional Internet Service Provider (ISP) to minimalize such problems.
If you are in a contract with a subpar ISP, it would be problematic for you to ignore such kinds of disruptions.
Staff Training
You need to get your staff trained when you are installing a new phone network in your office. It is necessary to train your employees about message management, one-click calls and integration with the CRM. Organizing training sessions can cost you some time and money; however, it will improve your employees’ performance, making your business more successful.
Conclusion
The changing face of business is creating a work environment that is more mobile and modular in nature. With the workforce becoming more decentralized, your work tools have to match the flexibility of your team. A cloud based phone system allows your team access to your company’s phone system no matter how (and where) they choose to approach their work. Add in the increased security, reliability, and reduced costs and a cloud-based phone speaks for itself.