If it’s time for a communications upgrade or your existing contract is about to expire, you are probably noticing that there have been some major changes in what is now available. IP-based phone technology is a cost-saving option that delivers advanced features through hosted phone systems.
How Does It Work?
If you’re new to the concept of hosted phone systems, you may have questions about how it is different from a traditional, on-site private branch exchange (PBX) solution. Your incoming calls go through a hosted PBX system and then the data is converted into digital packets and transmitted through your internet connection. The call is then routed to a phone through the PBX and converted back into a voice message. The PBX is essentially a middleman, connecting the call between different lines without requiring numerous landlines. This is where the cost savings come in.
There are several important advantages to switching to a hosted phone system:
- Installation is easy with an online setup that removes the need to have a representative on-site for the transition.
- You can use your existing hardware, so there’s little initial investment. In addition, you’ll save in areas like day-to-day maintenance by your IT team.
- As you get more familiar with IP-based technology, you can easily expand your hosted phone system to a broader unified communications (UC) solution to gain more features.
- Your hosted phone system can be accessed anywhere with a reliable internet connection, so remote workers can have a consistent experience without negatively impacting productivity.
- It’s easy to add lines or extensions as needed, providing excellent scalability if your company is growing or has a seasonal component to demand.
Feature-Rich Communications
When you migrate to a hosted phone system, you’re not just saving money by eliminating landlines. You’re also getting a better set of communications features:
Voicemail to Email Transcription
Voicemails can be delivered in text format in your email, providing a permanent record and the ability to quickly scan information.
Video Conferencing
Save on travel expenses and give your employees the flexibility they want with video conferencing technology.
Reliability and Security
You’ll want a hosted PBX with strong security like end-to-end encryption, but overall, the security of hosted phone systems far surpasses that of traditional PBX. And you’re likely to find 99.999% uptime with most providers.
Recording and Analytics
You’ll have easy access to calls for training purposes or for determining which calls are most effective.
Automation
Route calls accurately and efficiently, giving you the freedom to shift employees to calls that need more attention.
What You Should Do Before Installation
Before you migrate to a hosted phone system, there are two steps that need to be completed:
- Test your network for speed and performance. IP-based communications require a lot of bandwidth to support performance specifications, so you will want to be sure your network is ready for the added demands.
- Consider your power source. Because a hosted phone system requires an electrical connection, you may want to think about a backup source in case of a power outage.
When it’s time to upgrade your communications technology, consider a hosted phone system. It will not only provide cost savings, but also offer exceptional quality and a variety of features. Contact us at Proper Connections to get started.