Cloud-Based Phone Systems - What it is and Why to Choose it
Imagine the modern-day world without a reliable communication platform such as a phone system. It is a difficult scenario, right? People, businesses, organizations, and everything else might go haywire if this happens. Regardless of the presence of other communication platforms, a phone system stays at the centre of the buzz.
And with new technologies emerging, we can avail the benefit of unified communications along with making normal phone calls. One such distinguishing technology is cloud-based phone systems. They are certainly a notch above traditional telephone networks and offer a wide range of facilities for effective and smooth communication.
One of the main beneficiaries of this new technology is businesses. Deploying a cloud-based communication platform can ease numerous hassles and engage employee teams and customers effectively. We will help you learn more about this technology here. Let’s begin!
What is Cloud-Based Phone System?
Also known as cloud PBX, hosted PBX, or hosted phone system, a cloud-based phone system offers the latest communication features. It is a (Voice over Internet Protocol) VoIP phone system that can be accessed over a cloud-based IP network. This system is completely managed off-site and delivered over the internet in its entirety.
A cloud-based phone system can be accessed by any equipment such as a normal PBX phone, mobile phone, computer, etc. It helps cut down the IT overheads by offering quick setup and deployment. Businesses normally avail themselves of the cloud-based phone service on a subscription basis.
How are They Different From Traditional Telephones?
Cloud-based phone systems have long changed the mechanism behind phone calls that a traditional phone system used. The only similarity is that the user can still use normal telephone hardware to make and receive a call. What happens after a user dials a number and how the data gets transferred between communicators is a different story.
Cloud-based phone systems do not require bulky telecommunications infrastructure inside business premises. It helps save considerable space and maintenance costs. There is also the freedom to select from any device connected to the network when required. The setup is quite simple and can be done within a short time.
Due to the availability of the internet, cloud-based telephones rarely face failures that were abundant in traditional telephone cables. Any minor weather disturbances could damage telephone lines and break down the whole communication system indefinitely. With cloud-based phones, this hardly is the scenario.
What Features Can Cloud-Based Phone Systems Offer?
These phone systems offer a powerhouse of features that enable any business to bridge communication gaps between their employee teams inside as well as customers outside their organisation. Cloud-based phone systems have features that make traditional telephone systems look like they belong to the stone age. Let us have a look at some of the most common features of this system:
Call Forwarding
This feature allows users to divert an incoming call to a designated destination when required. It can either be when the phone is busy, there’s no answer, or always. The person, especially a customer, might not know their call is being forwarded to another number. This helps maintain continuous communication in case the called person is somehow unavailable to answer the phone.
SIP Forking
This feature allows users to register multiple SIP endpoints to one extension number. This method is known as SIP forking and facilitates people to answer a call from more than one device. This method rings all the registered phones in case of an incoming call.
AutoCLIP
AutoCLIP is a feature to make returning calls easier. If an organizational user calls a client and the call goes unanswered, the return call from the client would then be routed to that particular user only. Since the information of the client has been stored, the organisational user gets the call directly.
Interactive Voice Response
This feature is well-known and widely used to create a smooth user experience through CRM integration. It allows greeting customers with a pre-recorded message which is often interactive through touch-tone keys or voice commands. This interface allows guests to be routed to their relevant departments or users. It also saves the time of your staff.
Voice Mail to Email
The voicemail messages need not be retrieved from a single source. The voicemail messages get sent as emails with audio file attachments for users to access as and when required. These messages can be accessed from a computer, mobile phone, etc.
Business Video Conferencing
The geographical distance between users and workplaces is reduced by allowing multiple users to connect for a conference. Calls can be made simultaneously to all the intended users in real-time and travel costs can be reduced.
Who Can Benefit from Using This Telephone System?
The benefit of using a cloud-based telephone system depends on a variety of factors. This system is commonly preferable for businesses that require a stable communication platform to connect all their clients and employees. Some of the situations that help describe the exact conditions when businesses might require this system include:
- Save Costs
- Plan For Business Expansion
- Invest Less for Maintenance
- Require Enhanced Mobility and Geographical Flexibility
Many businesses have already migrated, and some are in the process of migrating to this phone system. Which one are you?
Conclusion:
Cloud-based phone systems are much more than a traditional telephone network. They are almost a necessity in the modern business world. Lagging in reliable communication can lead an organization to immense discord and a lost reputation in the market. It is advisable to employ a cutting-edge cloud-based phone system that integrates numerous features to ensure the success and growth of your business.
If you are looking for the right communication platform for your business, contact your nearest communication experts. They might be able to guide you better by knowing your business requirements
