Cloud communications is a technology which replaces old PBX (Private Brach Exchange) phone systems, which allows businesses to place calls internally and externally. There are now cloud options such as VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) and enterprise-level solutions such as Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), which incorporates VoIP.
Although VoIP has been around since the 90s with the aim of avoiding expensive international calls, a lot has changed in technology since then, and VoIP has become a powerful internet communication option for businesses.
1. Eliminates physical on-premises hardware
Depending on the cloud option a business opts for, cloud technology allows businesses to do away with on-premises hardware. In the case of business phone systems, cloud communications platforms replace on-premises traditional PBX hardware, with your cloud phone service provider hosting the phone service. You don’t need a traditional phone, although you can have one if you choose. Instead, all you need is a pair of headphones and any device.
2. Saves money and hassle
Doing away with on-premises hardware is not the only cost reduction when it comes to cloud communications. The staff resources involved in supporting that hardware are no longer needed, and you can also do away with the headache of keeping it up-to-date. Instead, cloud providers offer a monthly billing system where you pay for only the technology resources you consume. The costs of placing a call, nationally and internationally, will also be non-existent, as all calls are placed over the internet.
3. Powerful tools catering to individual business needs
Cloud-based solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Cloud providers like Microsoft and Amazon provide tools, resources and services and businesses can pick and choose based on their unique needs. These resources can be anything from a virtual server, to an application, to a telephony system.
UCaaS provides unified communications with one interface for all your communication needs that can be accessed on any device or platform. It incorporates VoIP, instant messaging, video conferencing, email, voicemail, speech recognition, file sharing, and more.
4. A mobile, adaptable business model
Cloud communications services de-couple a business from a physical office space, making the business mobile and adaptable. Cloud technology has revolutionised the way the business world communicates. Cloud technology supports remote working and remote workers, and has become the backbone in this pandemic world.
The technology resources of a business can now be accessed on-demand, from any device, anywhere in the world, which supports work from home options. All you need is an internet connection.
5. Supports growth and innovation
Cloud technology is scalable, so it’s very easy to add resources with a few clicks. If a business wants to try something new, they don’t need to buy all this hardware to do so. They can just increase their cloud technology resources and they only pay for the resources they use per month. This allows businesses to take advantage of opportunities they would have otherwise had to forgo because of the time it would have taken to source the resources. This gives businesses a competitive edge.
6. Increases productivity
Gone are the days where you had to be in the office to place a business call. Cloud technology brings all the technology needs of a business together in a centralised digital location. This includes communication tools like Microsoft Teams, which allows for file sharing, video and voice calls, meetings and collaboration. Communication has never been simpler. Staff aren’t wasting time trying to organise internal in-person meetings, or business partner meetings. Virtual meetings can be organised with a few clicks. This gives staff more time to focus on priority tasks.
7. Access to powerful cloud data
Cloud technology gives businesses access to real time data which can be fed quickly to management for decision making. This data can then be used to take advantage of opportunities to improve work process efficiency. Not only does it provide data, which was previously unavailable to businesses with old PBX systems, but cloud computing provides powerful analytical tools and machine learning technology which can study trends.
8. Better customer service
With cloud communications solutions, the customer has never been closer. Customer data can be collected in real time and used to better understand a customer and to provide a better user experience. Customer communications are improved because with cloud communications a business can provide phone, email, chat and SMS options.
9. Cloud savvy functionality at your fingertips
Cloud-based communications can do everything a traditional phone line can do, plus so much more. Cloud communications allows businesses access to savvy phone features such as sophisticated PBX exchanges, voicemail by email, integrated electronic billing, click-to-call, fax server, call forwarding, call recordings saved in DropBox, waiting for queue and high-definition video calls.
10. Reliability and professionalism remain intact
Cloud communications providers have backup options in case your internet goes down. They include automatic call forwarding to a different number – such as a mobile – and they also have backup internet service providers in place, so if one fails, there’s another to fall back on. The quality of the calls is so good that you won’t be able to tell the difference between a traditional phone line and an internet call. Businesses can also still retain their 1800 phone numbers. Cloud technology provides quick and reliable disaster recovery options to give businesses peace of mind.
Are you interested in upgrading your business communications to cloud telephony? Talk to the cloud experts at Bespoke Technology to discover how they can help you get started on the road to an easier means of digital communication.
