Benefits of Cloud-Based Phone Systems

Easily accessible communication is crucial to every company. In the age of hybrid workforce models, your employees may work from home, the office, or anywhere in between. Thus, the solutions you provide to them to communicate can’t be location-bound. These legacy phone systems just don’t work for the modern workplace. If you’re considering making changes and adopting the cloud, one of the best decisions you can make is switching to cloud-based phone systems.

You’ll reap a considerable number of benefits from evolving your communication tools.

What Are Cloud-Based Phone Systems?

Cloud-based phone systems don’t have the same structure as an on-premises solution. They use the internet to enable calls versus traditional analog phone lines. How they facilitate calling is the critical difference.

Legacy phones literally tie you to your workspaces. They may have some functionality to forward calls, but it’s messy and doesn’t work. When companies began to send people home in 2020, they found out how difficult it was!

Cloud-based phone systems use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). It converts audio to a digital signal. Because of this, you can make calls from a phone, your computer, or using an app on mobile devices. It’s true mobility, ensuring that your staff can easily make and receive phone calls no matter where they’re working.

What Benefits Can You Expect with Cloud-Based Platforms?

Making the transition to a cloud-based platform may seem like a challenge. The reality is that it’s pretty easy. As you’re not hosting anything, you can quickly deploy the new solution with little work on your part. Should you decide to make a move, here are all the benefits you can reap.

Pay Less, Gain More Features

On-premises phone systems are expensive to maintain and manage. They can turn into a money pit fast, as you have to maintain hardware and upgrade it as needed. You’ll also need IT resources to support and manage it. Additionally, you’ll have operating expenses, such as the energy costs to keep servers cool.

With cloud-based phones, all the capital expenses are gone. You no longer must budget for hardware. There are also no additional labor charges. Instead, you pay a monthly fee to a provider that hosts the system. It’s one bill that covers all the features and functionality with no surprises. Your total savings could be as much as 50 to 70 percent!

It’s a Phone System Designed for You by You

When moving to the cloud for voice, you control the setup. You determine the features you want, including having phones as part of a unified communications platform. Once it’s in place, making adjustments is up to you. This autonomy delivers flexibility. Your team members can access all their phone features as long as they have an internet connection.

Cloud-Based Phones Scale with Ease

As you know, the business ecosystem is constantly changing. Your company likely pivoted and shifted in the past few years. And as you grow and your needs evolve, you need a phone system that can keep pace.

Luckily, cloud-based phones can do this. You can add new users with a few clicks and enable functionality as needed. This would be impossible with older phone systems, providing one more reason that making the switch is worth it.

Peace of Mind for Business Continuity

Downtime is something no organization wants to experience. It can cost you time, money, and the trust of your customers. What’s key to business continuity is keeping communications up and running. The cloud can do that for you.

Cloud-based systems are less likely to feel the effects of natural disasters or other external impacts that can kick traditional phones offline. Your employees can still use their mobile devices or desktops to communicate as long as they have an internet connection.

More Reliable, Higher-Quality Phones Create Better Customer Experiences

Traditional phone systems often have quality issues. The sound may not be clear. There could be static on the line or other problems with the connection. If customers can’t hear you, they’ll obviously consider it a bad experience.

In any interaction your workers have with customers, you want it to be memorable for all the right reasons. A down phone line is one of the worst things that can happen. It may even erode relationships you have. If your phone isn’t reliable, customers may begin to think you aren’t as well.

Reliable phone systems are vital for every company that wants its customers to feel like a priority. When you’re using VoIP, the signal is typically better.

To ensure reliability and quality, ask providers you evaluate about their uptime averages and the safeguards they have in place for business continuity. Compare those to see which one really will be there for you.

Protecting Against Spam

Companies must deal with telemarketers and scammers, just as individuals do. It’s annoying and can interrupt the work of your staff. Cloud-based phone systems offer spam caller protection. It identifies these types of callers and blocks them. This protection is available across the entire system, no matter the device.

Ready to Upgrade to a Cloud-Based Phone System?

Upgrade to the cloud for your voice needs. You’ll find all the features you need and more with Intermedia Unite. Learn more by reviewing its features and benefits today.

Mark Sher

Mark Sher, a 30-year telecom and cloud communications executive, is the SVP of Product Marketing for Intermedia Cloud Communications, a leading provider of UCaaS, CCaaS, and business cloud application solutions to partners and the businesses they serve. In his role, Mark has global responsibility for all direct and indirect product marketing at Intermedia including product launches, product messaging and positioning, competitive intelligence, analyst relations, and cross-channel pricing.