Cloud phone systems are Voice over IP (VoIP) based telephone systems hosted by a third-party provider. Unlike traditional phone lines, cloud phone systems utilise the internet to provide their service, making it reliable and more efficient for the modern age. Read on to learn more about cloud phone systems and their benefits to businesses.
The Development of Cloud Telephone Systems
Business phone services have been active long before the internet. But, they haven’t always been able to provide the features we see as standard for today’s market. At the very least, company phone systems allowed a company to have a primary phone number with extensions to reach individual staff or departments. However, many companies have run their own phone systems using VoIP since the nineties, as technology improved and expanded features.
Unfortunately, running a phone system for a small or medium-sized business entailed high IT expenses. Companies had to purchase and install a SIP trunking service or PRIs to connect the phone system to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Not to mention the cost of maintenance, security measures and custom configuration. While these developments allowed SMEs to have a wider variety of digital features, they left them with higher IT overheads. So, primarily larger offices and networks first employed cloud phones.
Since the early 2000s, cloud phone system providers have provided hosted phone system software for businesses to purchase over the Internet. As a result, cloud phone systems (a.k.a. Cloud VoIP, Hosted VoIP, and Hosted PBX) have reduced IT overheads for communication while offering more benefits and features.
What is a Cloud Phone System?
A VoIP service provider, such as Yestech, handles cloud telephony. Your service provider manages the call routing when you dial the telephone number. It transforms analogue speech signals (your voice) into data packets and sends them over the internet (rather than a traditional physical telephone line). The internet provides the connection between the caller and the receiver. The person on the other end of the line hears your voice via the data packets. This all happens in a fraction of a second, so it sounds like any other phone call.
A VoIP desk phone (or mobile/App capable of using VoIP) replaces individual phone extensions. Instead of using a landline, you connect your phones to your existing network. You can also utilise a softphone which includes; computers, tablets, or smartphone applications. You’re dialling from a modern, user-friendly interface and the process is handled digitally.
What Are the Benefits of Cloud Telephone Systems?
Cloud phone systems are the modern way to deliver business communications. There are countless benefits to using cloud telephony. If your company hasn’t made the switch, here’s why you might consider changing providers.
Low Cost
When switching to a VoIP phone system, the primary motivation for many is reducing IT and communication costs. Setup and maintenance are low-cost, quick and easy to carry out. Whereas you may have needed a team or employee on-site to manage a complex phone system, cloud phones work remotely and are much easier to operate. Therefore, you no longer need to pay for additional comms staff. Cloud phone systems can also be integrated with existing hardware such as computers and mobiles, so other hardware is not always required, saving further expenses. Lastly, phone calls made digitally are often cheaper than traditional landlines. This lower cost is essential for businesses with high call rates and overseas clients and suppliers.
Ease of Use
Because cloud telephony runs in the cloud, you can manage your business phone system through an online dashboard for complete control. We provide an administrative portal that allows staff to make any changes and communicate as efficiently as possible. Some management options include; call forwarding, adding new users, creating hunt groups, changing out-of-office setup and much more. As a result, there is often little need to involve the third-party provider in day-to-day tasks. But, if you do need a more complex setup or integration, you can use the expertise of your phone system provider to develop it.
Scalability
Cloud phone systems are also incredibly beneficial for new and/or growing companies. Because they are not reliant on physical lines, cloud phone systems can be scaled up almost automatically. There is no need to wait for far off installations or costly upgrades; VoIP is scalable by its very nature. If your business grows, your phone system can grow with it. However, if your output needs to be scaled back, your provider can reduce users as and when required. For seasonal industries, this is the perfect, low-cost communication solution.
Advanced Features & Integrations
A quality cloud phone system company focus on creating calling capabilities that are efficient and practical. With cloud-based software, the sky’s the limit for development. Whatever communication dilemma or software integration a company needs, cloud phone systems allow a high degree of modification. Selecting the right cloud phone system for your company can help you streamline processes and save money.
Choosing a Cloud Telephone System Provider
If you’re in the market for a cloud phone system for your organisation, get in touch with Yestech telecoms to discuss your requirements. However, if you’re just in the early stages of research, check out our article, 9 Things to Consider When Choosing a UK Telecoms Company. It’s a comprehensive guide on gauging the right provider for your company’s needs.
