The communication habits of those interacting with your business have expanded quite a bit in recent years, but the need for office phones is still as crucial as ever.
A hosted PBX phone system offers a modern solution that combines flexibility and cost-effectiveness, making it ideal for today’s business environment. On top of that, working with a local provider is essential for a successful deployment and ongoing support and maintenance. Here’s something more: the office phones available today are leaps and bounds more efficient and feature-rich than those of yesteryear.
This article is here to walk you through the ins and outs of the new era of office phones and why they need to be a part of your business strategy.
What is Cloud PBX?
Definition and Explanation
A cloud PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is a virtual phone system, accessed through a web portal or mobile device, that uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to route calls, eliminating the need for expensive on-site phone system hardware. A virtual PBX system offers similar benefits, allowing businesses to manage communications seamlessly from anywhere with internet access.
More specifically, cloud PBX solutions are hosted in secure, remote data centers, providing a scalable and safe solution for businesses. It’s much like how streaming services distribute media – regardless of where you are you can login and gain access to what you need.
Cloud PBX systems use a reliable internet connection to route calls, eliminating the need for traditional phone lines. Moving away from analog phone lines is increasingly important because they have been deregulated by the FCC, allowing providers to start the process of eliminating maintenance and expensive upkeep.
In fact, cloud PBX phone systems are more cost-effective than traditional PBX systems, as they eliminate the need for hardware maintenance and upgrades. According to a report from G2, you can save as much as 90 percent on the initial installation and up to 50 percent on ongoing costs when you transition to a VoIP solution compared to a traditional phone system.
Related content: Why Your Office Communication Systems Need to Be Cloud-Based
Cloud PBX vs. Traditional Phone Systems
The idea that newer is always better isn’t always accurate, but when it comes to cloud phone systems, it’s definitely better than traditional phone systems. We’ve all been there when something newer and more advanced can make it less enjoyable to use.
For example, cars have become more complicated and resemble large rolling computers than something you can tinker on in your driveway. Can you still change a burnt-out bulb or air filter? Yes, but good luck fixing an electrical problem without being a certified mechanic with the proper tools.
With a cloud phone system or hosted PBX system from Unitel, you’ve got that experienced and certified managed service provider (MSP) backing the system they provide. You’re never left to fend for yourself, so you get the best of both worlds: a top-tier cloud office phone backed by local support. It’s an immediate win for your business.
Key Differences
Cloud PBX systems, which are a type of VoIP phone system, are hosted in the cloud, while traditional PBX systems are hardware on-site at your location.
Cloud PBX solutions use a reliable internet connection to route calls, while traditional PBX systems use traditional phone lines no longer fully supported by providers.
Cloud PBX systems are more scalable and flexible, able to conform at any moment to your business, whereas traditional PBX systems require outside specialized configuration that isn’t immediate.
Cloud PBX solutions provide a minimal total cost of ownership, and traditional PBX systems require substantial capital for initial and ongoing costs.
Cloud PBX systems provide a more reliable and secure way to manage phone calls entirely within your control. Traditional PBX systems are much less user-friendly and must be on-site to be used and updated.
Related content: Should Your Business Switch to Cloud PBX?
Benefits of Cloud PBX Phone Systems
The numerous benefits of cloud office phones will likely shock you, and once installed, you’ll see how efficient your business communication becomes.
Is a cloud PBX a magic wand that fixes anything and everything? Definitely not, but bringing in an easy-to-manage and streamlined system lessens the load of items you need to worry about on any given day.
Flexibility and Scalability
Cloud PBX solutions offer a flexible and agile business phone system that adapts to your needs.
They eliminate hidden costs associated with equipment and infrastructure management, which is a much-needed boost to your bottom line. Users can make and receive calls from any device or environment, enhancing flexibility and mobility. Cloud PBX systems are scalable, allowing businesses to easily add or remove lines and features as needed. The office phones of the future provide reliable and secure call management with features like call routing, recording, and flow management.
Cost-Effective
Cloud PBX phone systems are, without a doubt, more cost-effective than traditional ones.
They offer a pay-as-you-go or subscription model, allowing businesses to pay only for needed features and lines. The advantage of this model is dramatically reduced upfront, out-of-pocket costs. Cloud PBX systems reduce on-site IT staff requirements, because the service provider, while including remote monitoring and regular system updates, manages them. This results in lower total costs, as businesses don’t need to purchase and maintain hardware themselves.
Redundant and Mobile Ready
Cloud PBX is distributed among data centers so that you can access it anywhere. Regardless of where you are in the country or world, when you access the system, the closest data center is chosen, and you can continue with your work without delay.
A natural disaster could damage your local community, but since a cloud system is distributed, you can get to a safe location and still be helping your customers. Mobile is built into a hosted PBX phone system and doesn’t come with extra costs or complicated setups. Your user profile is the same across devices, so whether on a computer, cell phone, or even a tablet, just log in and get to work.
Unitel Provides Ongoing Support and Maintenance for the Best Local Experience
If you’re searching for the best office phone platform, don’t settle for being left out in the cold and forgotten. Unitel is a local provider who cares about the service they provide. If there happens to be an issue, they’re available 24/7/365, and most of the time, issues are resolved remotely. On the off chance it can’t, that’s the power of working with someone local because Unitel will come out to your location to handle any system problems.
Contact us today, and we will work on finding the best solution for your business.