Cloud-based phone systems have been viewed as important and valuable for a while now. However, in the last few months with the coronavirus pandemic, this perception has evolved, and a growing number of businesses of all sizes — from startups to enterprises — now believe that cloud phone systems are essential. What is the reason for this mindset shift? It’s all about flexibility.
We have entered the Era of Uncertainty, which means that the ability to adapt is arguably a business’s most vital core competence and competitive advantage. Cloud phone systems drive flexibility on several levels, including:
- Capacity Flexibility: With a conventional phone system, businesses can only add a limited number of additional lines before they must pay a huge bill to upgrade their on-site PBX, and the process can take days or weeks to complete. However, with a cloud phone system it’s possible to add hundreds or even thousands of new numbers/extensions without delay. The key consideration is the amount of available bandwidth on the existing data network, which can be affordably increased as needed.
- Number Flexibility: With a cloud phone system, businesses can expand their target market reach by adding non-local numbers. For example, a Greensboro, NC-based business can easily and affordably get a number with area code 919 (Raleigh) or 704 (Charlotte), or add a toll-free number. This is especially valuable to small businesses that need to compete with large statewide or national organizations.
- Network Flexibility: Cloud phone systems can run on a variety of technical infrastructures, such as SONET, ATM, or even WiFi. This flexibility means less complexity and confusion (and stress!) for IT teams and a more standardized and optimized data and telecommunications foundation.
- Cost Flexibility: With a conventional phone system, many businesses — especially smaller organizations — pay for more capacity than they need. For example, their system may support 20 connections, but they only need 5. As a recurring annual expense, this is a huge waste of money. But with a cloud phone system, businesses can flexibly align capacity with actual need. This is because they are not forced to buy, install and maintain expensive on-site PBX hardware. Instead, they simply add low-cost licenses (a.k.a. seats) on an as-needed basis. And if they scale down and no longer need licenses, they simply allow them to expire. It’s a level of seamless scalability in either direction — add or remove — that is impossible with a conventional phone system.
- Device Flexibility: With a cloud phone system, employees can make/receive calls and access other functions (e.g. chat, presence, call history, etc.) using their smartphone. They can also slip on a headset and use their desktop or laptop as a softphone. This kind of total device flexibility is not just extremely convenient, but it’s also highly cost-effective.
- Worker Location Flexibility: Even as the lockdown eases and things slowly return to normal, a growing number of businesses have decided to make remote work a permanent rather than temporary option (if not every day, then at least a few days a week). A cloud phone system is ideal for worker flexibility, whether they are in the corporate office (including “hot desk” environments), their home office, or anywhere else that the work journey takes them.
- Move Flexibility: When they move locations, businesses with a cloud phone system don’t have to face the hassle and expense of having the phone company reconfigure their system and possibly dig up new lines. Instead, these businesses simply unplug the IP phones from their old location, plug them into your new location, and they are all set to go. All of the numbers stay the same.
A Final Word
In the new business climate of today, companies are faced with much uncertainty — which is not always a bad thing. There are more opportunities for innovation, growth, and success. Businesses with a cloud phone system have the telecommunications flexibility they need to embrace uncertainty and thrive vs. dread uncertainty and struggle.
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Contact us to learn more about how our cloud phone system will instantly make your business more flexible, while significantly reducing your telecommunication costs, increasing worker productivity, and boosting customer satisfaction.
Call us at (336) 544-4000 or chat with us during business hours by clicking the chat icon on the bottom of your screen. We are a local Greensboro, North Carolina-based business with over 100 5-star reviews!