Here Are the Most Frequently Asked Questions
Cloud communications and services differ from legacy on-premise phones and networks and these questions and answers are some of the most common questions business owners ask.
This is a valid concern that points more to the stability of your network than our cloud services. Our team will run a network diagnosis to ensure your network is stable enough to carry data and voice traffic. Cloud phone system quality should be as good or better than landlines.
Mobility & Remote Connectivity ~ Perhaps one of the most obvious benefits of cloud-based VoIP phone systems is their “plug-in anywhere” functionality. As long as users have a device that has been authorized by a cloud voice system’s central account manager, they can connect over the internet and log into their calling portal from anywhere. Rapid Scaling ~ A complete cloud communications solution, when managed by a third party, typically features applications or a control console that lets administrators make quick adjustments to the infrastructure. This holds especially true when businesses have managed services included in their agreement. Financial Flexibility ~ Most cloud-based communications networks are established under a month-to-month service agreement, primarily to enable organizations to scale at will and pay for the services as they use them. Multi-platform Unification ~ Communications within a given organization, especially mid-sized or enterprise-level companies, usually encompass more than just voice. Video calling platforms are being regularly integrated into sales team interactions with prospective customers, while text- or instant messaging-based applications are tools used for inter-organizational communication or customer support. Some cloud communications platforms offer companies the ability to bring all of these applications under one management utility, making it easier for IT to administer systems and other employees to manage their customer or coworker relationships.
Working in the cloud offers small businesses many benefits, including enhanced collaboration, easy access and fast turnaround. On-premises systems can be completely taken down if there is a power outage or natural disaster. Cloud-based phone systems and networks run outside your physical office location with multi-region data centers and built-in redundancy, ensuring an outage in one server or data center don’t bring the whole system down. Electricity or internet outages may impact your office’s phones, but not the service itself. The included mobile app is always available to make and receive business calls, texts, and instant messaging with other users.
In cloud-based services, the concept of cloud scalability means the ability to be flexible with increasing and decreasing storage, applications, and technology needs. For most companies, growth is the ultimate goal. Being able to move forward, drive more revenue, take on competitors, and otherwise continue to flourish is paramount to ongoing operations. Cloud phone system: Scales with your business one user at a time, so you never pay for users you don’t need. You purchase service for the exact number of users you have. Adding a new employee is as simple as ordering service and plugging in another phone. On-premises phone system: Requires a server called a private branch exchange (or PBX). Some are scalable (you can add more capacity), and others will not scale beyond a certain number of users. You have to purchase phone lines in modules in some situations (e.g., you buy capacity for 12 users when you only need nine lines).
It’s priced on a flat monthly fee per user. Our service options allow you to add functionality features like voicemail, call forwarding, conferencing, video conferencing, and team messaging on an ala cart basis. Typically, it ends up being less expensive than an on-premises system when you consider all of the additional, included features that you can pay for separately.
You will keep your existing phone numbers when you switch to the cloud. Moving phone numbers is called “porting.” Porting local phone numbers typically takes about 2-4 weeks, and porting toll-free numbers typically takes about 1-2 weeks. Generally, your existing phone numbers are forwarded to your new cloud system, so there is no downtime or change in how you do business.
Setup is all web-based, and our team will assist you every step of the way. New phones can be purchased or are generally provided as part of your CapEx solution, and they use the business’s existing internet wiring to each desk. User training websites, videos, and live webinars make it easy for new users to get started quickly.
