No matter your industry, odds are you've heard of a hosted phone system before. And odds are you've had questions. Questions ranging from "What exactly are they?" to "What exactly could they do for me?" Today we will explore the answers to those questions and more. Starting with the most pressing one.
What is a Hosted Phone System?
A hosted phone system (sometimes called a cloud phone system or a VoIP phone system) is an entirely virtual telecommunications solution. This means all its infrastructure – from the phone lines to the operating system – is stored in the cloud. And typically, it is managed by a third-party service provider. You only need to worry about having a stable internet connection and SIP-compatible devices.
Features of a Hosted Phone System
Now that we have a definition, let's talk about some characteristics many of these systems share.
They offer unified communications. Hosted phone systems often include unified communications features, integrating voice, video, text messaging, and collaboration tools into a single platform. And since it's all hosted in the cloud, employees can tap into these capabilities from any internet-connected device.
They offer quick-and-easy call management. These features include call routing, forwarding, recording, and interactive voice response (IVR) menus. And they help streamline incoming and outgoing calls, ensuring callers are directed to the correct department or person.
They boast a whole library of advanced features. Hosted phone systems have a wide variety of capabilities, like voicemail-to-email transcription, call analytics, call recording, conferencing, and more. These features can boost your communication capabilities and provide valuable insights for improving customer interactions. In fact, 67% of employees say it’s easier to handle calls on hosted systems than any other type.
They're equipped with disaster recovery. Traditional phone systems are vulnerable to disruptions caused by natural disasters or technical failures. Hosted systems provide robust disaster recovery mechanisms, ensuring your business remains reachable even in challenging circumstances.
A Hosted Phone System: Pros & Cons
Now that we've explored some of the features of a hosted solution let's summarize what we know. It's for a pros and cons list. After all, you want to know if a hosted phone offering fits your needs.
Pros:
Quick Implementation. Setting up a hosted phone system is faster than deploying a traditional system. This speed is crucial for businesses needing to adapt swiftly.
Cost Efficiency & Predictability. Hosted phone systems eliminate the need for hefty upfront investments in hardware and maintenance. Instead, Cloud9 allows you to pay a predictable monthly fee based on your extensions, saving you between 30-50% on communication costs. And if you choose Cloud9, the price won't fluctuate based on usage either.
Flexibility. Hosted phone systems offer unmatched flexibility in terms of adding or modifying features, making them an excellent fit for businesses with dynamic communication needs.
Scalability. With hosted systems, scaling up or down is effortless. With Cloud9, you can call or email at any time to add new lines or features. Their experts will make those changes immediately, reducing errors and keeping your communication in-line with your latest requirements.
Reduced Maintenance. With off-site management and automatic updates, hosted systems relieve businesses from the burden of ongoing maintenance tasks. With Cloud9, you'll have a team on your side that provides personal, proactive system management. Because you deserve more than the standard set of updates.
Global Accessibility. Reach customers and partners around the world without incurring exorbitant international calling charges.
Plug-and-Play Integration. Seamlessly integrate your phone system with other business tools to streamline processes and enhance customer interactions.
Cons:
Like all good things, a hosted system does have a few limitations you should be aware of.
Internet Dependence. Hosted phone systems require a stable internet connection to function properly. So, if your internet goes out, your communication will be negatively impacted. However, Cloud9 offers 4G LTE backups, allowing you to power your devices using data instead.
Data Security. Relying on the cloud means entrusting sensitive communication data to third-party providers. Robust security measures are essential to safeguard against breaches. Which is why Cloud9's security features end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and everything else.
Audio Quality. Internet fluctuations can affect audio quality, leading to dropped calls or unclear conversations that could negatively affect your employees and your customers. But thanks to LGTE connections and failover solutions, this rarely happens.
Want to Make the Switch? Check out Cloud9VoIP.
Adopting Cloud9VoIP's hosted phone system can significantly enhance your business communication capabilities while minimizing costs. The advanced features, scalability, and reliability offered by Cloud9VoIP will empower your team to work efficiently and deliver top-notch customer service. Take the next step towards optimizing your communication infrastructure by contacting Cloud9VoIP today and discover how their cutting-edge solutions can drive your business forward.