Unless you’ve been living under a rock you know doubt would have heard of cloud storage. It has made business workflows smarter and more productive. Somewhat inevitably, the cloud has been developed to the point where it is now possible to facilitate cloud-based phone system. The technology is Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) based and is increasingly adopted by businesses that receive high calls volumes. Call centers increasingly utilize the technology.

To get an overview of the technology, click here for insights.

So is a cloud-based phone system good for your business, and what exactly is it? Let’s take a deep dive and find out.

What is a Cloud Based Phone System?

If we wind the clock back to the pre-cell phone era, businesses relied on landlines. Here, copper and fibre optic cables were used to connect potential customers and clients to a business. Thanks to computing power improvements, the internet, and VoIP, the traditional based landline has been in decline.

A cloud-based phone system allows communication over the internet. As a call comes in, it is routed via the cloud to an appropriate device. This can be a desktop, laptop, cell phone, tablet, and a VoIP enabled phone. In essence, any device connected to the net can receive a call.

A dedicated cloud-based phone system can direct a call to the right person. So a call center operative won’t be hearing a call intended for the board of directors anytime soon.

How Virtual Cloud-Based Phone Systems Work

Cloud-based systems are not just extensions of cloud-based computing, but extensions of VoIP. Applications such as Zoom and Skype also utilize VoIP software to facilitate voice communication like a traditional telephone.

With a cloud-based system, businesses can facilitate receiving large call volumes en masse, including traditional landline calls made from conventional telephones. This is made possible as traditional phone numbers can be assigned to your cloud-based phone solution.

Business Advantages of a Cloud-Based Phone Solution

This virtual technology gives several business advantages. Consider:

  • Flexible call handling network– The Cloud is famed for being expandable at a low cost. As the business grows, you can expand the network accordingly. This gives you precise control over the costs as you only pay for what you need.
  • Deploy local phone numbers overseas– With a cloud-based system, you can use local phone numbers in any territory you operate in. Your target market will more likely warm to your services, and you will find it easier to build trust by using local numbers.
  • Decreased call charges– Many cloud-based phone services do not have a call handling cost as calls are received and made via the internet. This can save a small fortune for call centers and other businesses that handle large call volumes.
  • Better customer service– With a massive reduction in call cost, a business can advertise free calls, building trust with your clients. Moreover, tools such as virtual receptionist and auto attendant can be deployed with ease. Each department can set up a personal greeting and change it as necessary, instantly if they wish.
  • Cloud Connectivity– Apps that most cloud computing users can fully integrate with a cloud-based phone solution, assisting workflow productivity and making internal communications faster.
  • Affordable for small business– One distinct advantage of using virtual software to handle calls is that it puts features that were once in the realm of corporate business only accessible to the small to medium enterprise. Good cloud services have flexible packages to suit every budget.
  • Easier integration– As new features become available, they are easily integrated into a cloud system. Working over IP is easier to implement new virtual software apps than making large scale infrastructure changes. Businesses are arguably more fluid and dynamic using a cloud-based phone system.
  • Remote working flexibility– With everything IP based, aspects such as bad weather preventing employees getting to the office becomes a thing of the past. The cloud allows employees to access the system remotely, allowing business to deliver top quality services to customers and clients.

Conclusion

As computing has moved into the cloud, it has given businesses more flexibility and agility. Every area of workflow has improved. Collaboration is better facilitated by providing stable virtual infrastructure and real-time apps.

Now, calls can be handled by the cloud, it is unlikely that the need for bulky telephone systems will be present in ten years. With much cheaper costs, better IP infrastructure, flexibility and agility, and the ease to scale up and down to a business’s needs, cloud-based phone systems are set to grow.

The downside is that a stable, reliable internet connection is essential for the whole system to work. In the western world, this probably won’t be an issue, as business connections, in particular, have become more stable and reliable.

If your business depends on handling large call volumes, a cloud based phone solution is almost certainly for you!