Increasing competition — especially from charter schools — means that many of today’s private schools are under immense, and in some cases unprecedented pressure to reduce overhead and operating costs. That is where a VoIP-based private school cloud phone system enters the picture and makes a transformative short and long-term difference.
Below, we highlight the top 7 reasons why a private school cloud phone system (aka Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP phone system) makes sense operationally and financially:
#1: Substantial Cost Savings
With a private school cloud phone system, there is no expensive hardware to buy, which results in thousands of dollars in up-front savings. In addition, there are:
- No system maintenance fees.
- No domestic long-distance fees.
- No technical support fees.
While the total cost savings depend on variables that are unique to each private school (such as how many staff members will use the system), the savings vs. a traditional phone system is often between 25-50%, but in some cases significantly higher.
#2 Future-Proofed Investment
A conventional landline phone system usually reaches its end-of-life after 5-7 years, and needs to be replaced — and it’s not cheap! As a result, the cost typically starts in the high five figures and can exceed six figures (depending on the size of the system).
Because the off-site Solutions Provider houses, maintains, and updates all of PBX hardware, private school cloud-based phone systems don’t have these issues. Private schools always get the latest, best technology and innovations, and there is no risk of being saddled with an obsolete system and forced to pay tens/hundreds of thousands of dollars to replace it.
#3: Campus-wide Connectivity
Private schools are spread out over a campus environment with multiple locations. With traditional phone systems, this often leads to ongoing connectivity problems, since the only way to connect buildings is through old-fashioned wiring, installing Centrex lines (which act as a forwarding service), or point-to-point T1 lines. Moving classrooms and offices around during construction is costly and can be disruptive. As a result, a private school VoIP phone system completely avoids this pitfall. Private schools enjoy seamless, campus-wide connectivity at all times. There are no wires or cables to install, and expanding into new buildings or offices is a breeze thanks to plug-and-play technology.
#4: Continuity & Disaster Recovery
Consequently, with a traditional phone system, private schools are vulnerable to having their telecommunication system go down if there is a problem with the infrastructure supporting a single building, or if there is a power outage. This is a major safety and security risk and can be very alarming for parents. Keeping lines of communication is essential for school safety.
A private school cloud phone system eliminates this vulnerability. This is because (as noted in reason #3) the system does not depend on wires/cables connecting buildings. A local power outage will not take the system offline (provided there is a backup power supply), and staff can continue making/receiving calls.
#5: Highly Responsive Technical Support
With a private school cloud phone system, there is no need to maintain a help desk or have IT staff spend their valuable time maintaining or optimizing the system. That’s because all aspects and issues regarding phone system usage, features, functionality, support, and maintenance are handled by the Solutions Provider. In addition, all technical support is:
- Provided by a single VoIP service partner, such private schools do not have to manage and maintain multiple relationships and agreements.
- Offered 24/7/365 — not just during traditional school hours.
- Delivered by trained and experienced LOCAL Specialists who understand the system inside and out.
#6: Total Mobility
With a private school cloud phone system, staff can roam across campus and stay connected to colleagues – and within direct reach of parents – either by using an IP phone (which they would typically use within each building) or through an app on their mobile device (which they would use everywhere else). It is quick and simple to switch between devices with no configuration needed.
#7: Advanced Calling Features
A private school cloud phone system offers a range of advanced calling features, including Auto Attendant. As a result, such a feature can be customized to provide timely information or answer common questions. Auto Attendant settings (announcements, directories, etc.), can be changed remotely via an Internet connection using a web-based portal. Advising parents of late-breaking news like closures and weather-related issues is particularly beneficial to parents. Other advanced calling features include:
- Dial by Name Directory (First or Last)
- Dial by Extension
- Visual Voicemail
- Voicemail to Email with Text Transcription
- iOS & Android Mobile App
- Voicemail-to-text
- Video conferencing
- Call forwarding
- Unlimited Online Digital Faxing (HIPAA Compliant)
- Handset Paging
- Overhead Paging Available
- Integration with Existing Paging Systems
- Team Messaging
- Directed Call Pick Up
- Group Pick Up
- Site Pick Up
- Domain Pick Up
- Blind Call Transfer
- Attended Call Transfer
- Voicemail Transfer
In addition, features such as fax machine integration and SMS/MMS messaging are available as desired.
The Bottom Line
Today’s private schools need to be more efficient and cost-effective, but without compromising operational standards or staff/student safety. As a result, deciding to switch to a private school cloud-based phone system, is a smart choice!
Next Steps
Contact Carolina Digital Phone Today for a live, guided demo of our all-in-one VoIP cloud-based phone system, which is trusted and recommended by schools across the Southeast. We can meet with your team in-person, or connect with you over-the-web. Call us now at (336) 544-4000.