Why Choose Cloud Telecoms for Your Business?
After decades of using the traditional on-premise phone system, an alternative has arisen in the UK with now over three million users operating on an internet based system. But the revolution doesn’t stop there. Hosted cloud telephone systems are continuously making developments, allowing organisations to integrate all their communications systems with ease.
Implementing the internet into a telephone system was quickly adopted, as it allowed access to a whole range of new features and possibilities, eventually leading to a hosted telephone system becoming a preferred option for businesses to communicate with their clients.
How does a cloud hosted telephone system work?
To put it simply, hosted telephone systems (also known as cloud telephone systems, or sometimes known as VoIP (Voice over IP), run over the internet – this means very little hardware is required, just plug in your phones to an ethernet cable and off they go.
‘Hosted’ simply means the storage and processing part of your phone system (the database and server) which is located in a remote data centre, away from your workspace/offices. Essentially, a service provider hosts your phone system so you don’t need to.
Unlike an on-premise system, where you need to create your own data centre in your workspace, a hosted system utilises Cloud SaaS (Software as a Service) and all the data originally stored in thousands of pounds worth of hardware is held safely in the Cloud (essentially a data centre!).
Hosted systems store all the data in huge remote data centres – these are ranked in tiers to determine the level of security measures in place. Most centres used for hosted systems being under ‘Tier 4’, built to be completely fault tolerant with a backup for every possible error which could occur. It would be nigh on impossible for a business with an on-premise system to replicate this level of security.
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Choosing the right cloud phone system for your business
Selecting the right cloud phone system for your business is tricky with such a vast market to choose from. According to the latest market research, the cloud telephony market was worth $31.74 billion in 2023 and is growing at an average of double-digits yearly.
Your business’s solution depends on how you operate and your core priorities. Here’s a rundown of the top aspects to focus on when comparing cloud telephony solutions:
· Collaboration – Does your solution come with the appropriate collaboration tools? More businesses than ever utilise a combination of remote or hybrid working, with employees working from home or disparate offices. Today, it’s estimated that 41% of the population works from home at least some of the time. Examples of collaboration features to search for include file sharing and web conferencing.
· Core Features – Assess what your business needs and decide on the features that matter to you the most. For example, are you interested in enhancing your data analytics capabilities? Then, you’ll want to look at automated call recording. On the other hand, you might be searching for a system that incorporates AI into the mix to improve your efficiency. Focus on the metrics that matter most and proceed accordingly.
· Integration – One of the cloud’s most powerful features is how it integrates into the rest of your firm’s tech stack. Utilising a new system is often confusing, but if you’ve got an intuitive platform with a streamlined interface, it becomes easier to integrate your business’s apps into your new telecommunications system.
· Data Security – Many UK businesses must contend with an array of data protection and privacy regulations. The cloud is undoubtedly more secure, but not all services were created equal. Dig into whether your proposed solution is compliant with your industry’s regulations.
· Support – Ensure that you’re supported every step of the way by your cloud telephony provider. Examine what post-sale support services are available and ask about troubleshooting options before committing.
· Pricing – Price matters for every business. Generally, most cloud telephony services rely on a subscription model, but others offer pay-as-you-go solutions. Examine the solution’s pricing model to see whether it makes financial sense for your business. What works for a small business won’t necessarily work for a large business.
The problem is there’s no one perfect solution for every business. If we look at VoIP – a form of cloud telephony – businesses can save up to 75% on their communication costs by making the switch. However, you’ll only realise these benefits by choosing a solution built around how you operate.
Instead of relying on preliminary research that barely scratches the surface, turn to the experts at Matrix247. Our experience in dealing with UK businesses in every sector positions us to provide bespoke recommendations that empower you to make the most of cloud-based phone systems
Is cloud telephony the future of business communication?
Cloud telephony isn’t the future of business communication—it’s the present.
Cloud-based phone systems are already becoming the backbone of the UK’s business community’s communication.
Just like the rise of cloud storage before it, cloud telephony is head and shoulders above other communications solutions because of its scalability, flexibility and cost savings. For example, you no longer need to worry about outsized international calling costs because you only need a standard Internet connection.
It’s time to embrace the future of cloud communication because you won’t just improve your operations today. You’ll also position yourself for long-term success. Far from achieving a competitive edge, adopting cloud-based office phone systems is about keeping up with the competition.
The benefits of a hosted telephone system
Here are some of the core benefits of hosted telephone systems:
Scalability – The beauty of a hosted telephone system is how simple it is to add new users or new office locations. Any changes and amendments can be done in a matter of hours (rather than weeks) which is massively ideal for a seasonal business to add more lines in busier periods and drop them when demand decreases.
Disaster Recovery – Operating on a hosted telephone system is the most cost-efficient solution in a catastrophic event like a fire or flood or worldwide pandemic! All you would need to do is divert your phone calls to a mobile and an internet connection to get back up running.
No Capital Outlay – You read that correctly! A hosted telephone system requires no upfront costs. You don’t need to pay-out huge fees for hardware, installation, engineering and maintenance – it’s all included. It works on a ‘per user, per month’ subscription.
Free Calls – For local and national calls.
Always Up to Date – One of the biggest challenges many organisations face is keeping their telephone system software up to date – this is what hosted systems are perfect for. It’s the network provider’s responsibility to keep your system up to date with the latest software and features. Consequently, you get to enjoy the latest features of telephony without further investment.
On-Premise telephone systems will eventually require replacement hardware which is costly and can involve substantial downtime. A hosted system is software based, so even though it’s the network provider’s duty to manage, it is still quick and easy to roll out changes and updates.
Sustainability – A word which has become popular in business responsibility over the last few years. Hosted systems dramatically reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, consequently being the better option sustainability.
Speak to our cloud experts today
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A named and dedicated account manager will allocated to you, and provide a consultative approach to help find the right solution for your organisation.
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Does cloud telephony work for small businesses?
Small businesses are often worried about the costs of their telecommunications infrastructures and how they can scale when the time comes to grow. Cloud telephony is well-positioned to handle these challenges.
Firstly, cloud telephony requires no hardware, meaning no installation or maintenance requirements. Some providers even offer pay-as-you-go plans so business owners don’t have to worry about committing themselves to long-term subscriptions. Pay only for what you use.
Cloud telephony is also incredibly easy to scale. In most cases, it’s a matter of clicking a button on the platform of your provider to upgrade your package. Since scaling happens both ways, small businesses can easily handle peak periods without upgrading prematurely.
Another bonus is that cloud telephony can project a more professional image through local numbers in the markets they operate, including in international markets. Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and call routing are other features that not only enable efficient call handling but also help to project the image of a well-organised company.
Does cloud telephony work for large businesses?
Larger businesses also benefit from cloud telephony, but in different ways. These organisations often worry about collaboration and achieving a global reach without assuming enormous costs.
Remember, cloud phone systems are a unified communications system, meaning you can link every branch and team under the same system. You can also take advantage of virtual numbers, which makes your company accessible globally. Plus, the scalability benefits are still there, with cloud phone systems capable of accommodating thousands of users without suffering from performance issues through dynamic resource allocation.
Larger firms can also confront the issue of collaboration, with teams potentially crossing multiple time zones and markets. Since cloud telephony can be integrated into tools like helpdesk platforms and CRMs, you ensure everyone remains on the same page.
In short, the UK’s bigger businesses benefit from enhanced reliability and cost savings when communicating across borders. Handling thousands of customers from different markets simultaneously becomes a breeze, making cloud telephony the only genuine solution for businesses seeking to streamline their telecommunications.
Choosing a cloud telecoms system with Matrix247
At Matrix247, we can work with your business to analyse your current communication methods and collect information on how your clients and customers interact with you. This way, we can build out a perfectly bespoke cloud telephony solution for you, meeting each and every one of your needs. Speak with the team today to learn more.
