What is a Cloud Phone System?
Cloud phone systems are phone systems that are hosted through a third-party platform and allow you to use your electronic devices to place and receive calls through your Internet connection. For further information and pricing on phone systems, click here.
What is a Cloud Phone System?
A cloud phone system, or cloud PBX, hosted PBX, virtual PBX, or hosted phone system, operates as a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone system accessible via a cloud-based IP network. It functions entirely over the Internet and is managed remotely, eliminating the need for substantial upfront investments in telecommunications infrastructure. Deployment and setup are typically swift and straightforward, reducing business IT overheads. Typically, businesses purchase cloud phone services from providers and pay on a subscription basis.
Benefits of Cloud Phone Systems
- Cost-Effectiveness: Cloud phone systems typically offer lower costs than traditional phone lines, especially for long-distance calls.
- Scalability: Easily add or remove phone lines as your business grows without additional hardware investment.
- Flexibility: Employees can work remotely and still access the phone system through the internet, enhancing flexibility and productivity.
- Advanced Features: Cloud phone systems often come with advanced features such as call forwarding, voicemail greetings, auto attendants, and video conferencing, improving communication efficiency.
- Easy Setup and Maintenance: Minimal setup is required compared to traditional systems. The provider manages software updates and maintenance, reducing the burden on your IT staff.
Additional Considerations:
- Reliance on Internet: Cloud phone systems operate over the internet, so a stable and reliable internet connection is crucial for smooth operation.
- Security: Choose a provider with robust security measures to safeguard your business communication data against potential threats.
- Features Variation: Different cloud phone systems offer varying features. Identify the essential features your business needs and choose a plan accordingly to ensure optimal functionality.
Determining if a Cloud Phone System is Suitable for Your Business
Cloud phone systems are suitable for businesses of varying sizes, particularly those with remote workers, high call volumes, or seeking cost-effective scalability.
Key Factors to Consider:
- Workforce Size: Cloud systems can seamlessly expand to accommodate a growing employee base without the need for extensive infrastructure changes.
- Remote Workforce: A cloud phone system facilitates connectivity and collaboration regardless of location if your business employs remote workers.
- Call Volume: Cloud plans often offer unlimited calling options, which can be beneficial for businesses with high call volumes, potentially resulting in cost savings.
- Budget: Compare the costs of traditional phone lines with cloud plans tailored to your business needs, considering features and scalability requirements.
By evaluating these factors, you can determine whether a cloud phone system aligns with your business objectives and communication needs.
Considerations When Choosing a Cloud Phone System
When evaluating a phone system, it’s important to consider several key factors to ensure it meets your business requirements:
- Applications and Features: Ensure the system offers all the necessary features to enhance productivity for different user groups, such as managers, service representatives, and sales teams. Features like call whisper, call recording, voicemail transcription, and call analytics can be crucial for different roles.
- Integration and Connectivity: The system should seamlessly integrate with other applications, platforms, and services your business uses to create a unified communication ecosystem
- Innovation for Today and Tomorrow: Look for a system that can adapt and evolve with technological advancements.
- Security: Security is paramount when it comes to communication systems. Ensure the system implements robust security measures, such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits.
- System Monitoring and Performance: The system should offer comprehensive monitoring tools and diagnostics to identify and address performance issues proactively.
Drawbacks of Cloud Phone Systems
- Dependence on Internet Connectivity:
- Call Quality: A stable and high-speed internet connection is essential for reliable call quality.
- Outage Disruptions: In the event of an internet outage, your cloud phone system will become inaccessible, potentially disrupting business operations.
- Security Concerns:
- Data Security: Since cloud phone systems operate over the internet, ensuring data security is paramount.
- Vulnerability to Hacks: Cloud systems can be vulnerable to cyberattacks.
- Potential Cost Factors:
- Hidden Fees: Be mindful of hidden fees associated with features such as international calling, additional phone lines, or exceeding plan limits.
- Long-Term Contracts: Some providers may require long-term contracts, which can limit flexibility.
Best VoIP Providers In the UK
- Microsoft Phone System: With this phone system you can use number porting, audio conferencing, calling capabilities, while using a service that is included within your already existing cloud services. In its basic form this has a limit of 300 users.
- Avaya Onecloud: Avaya is often considered ideal for businesses that are still growing as it has great capabilities for expansion, and is not limited by the number of users in the way that Office 365 is.
- RingCentral Office: This cloud phone system is available in both android and IOS. What’s more it often includes unlimited calling, all PBX functions and audio conferencing.
For more information about comparing currently available cloud phone systems you can click on the following link.
UK VoIP Providers |
Company |
Price |
Free Trial |
Customer Rating |
Who is it Best For |
|
£19 per user, per month |
✓ |
4.7 |
Small businesses with big growth plans
|
|
£9 per user, per month |
✓ |
4.6 |
Small businesses looking for a cheap and easy solution
|
|
£12 per user, per month (billed annually)
|
✓ |
4.4 |
Telesales teams and small businesses with high turnover
|
|
£6 per user, per month |
✓ |
4.4 |
|
|
£10 per user, per month |
✓ |
4.3 |
Companies that need to communicate remotely
|
|
£7.99 per user, per month (billed annually)
|
✓ |
4 |
Small businesses with varied departments
|
|
£14.99 per user, per month
|
X |
3.9 |
Small companies that are based online
|
Other Articles You May Find Interesting
What is a Cloud Phone System? Other Useful links about phone systems:
Free Call Centre Software
VoIP Phone Systems For Schools
How to Lower Your Business Phone Bill
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James Ward is CEO and founder of CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, a website that won the Prestigious ‘Website of the Year’ only in its second year of operations in 2015. The website has grown organically since then offering comparisons on over 20 different products including insurance, energy, telecoms, card machines, coffee machines and much more. James has a range of interests including horse racing, skiing, rugby and boxing. He splits his time between home family life, friends, exercise and socialising.