Why Should Your Business Upgrade to a Hosted Phone System?

How can a cloud-based phone system improve your business?

When looking to upgrade your business phone system, it can be difficult to know where to start. Which features will ensure you see a return on your investment? How can you provide flexibility to meet the needs of the modern workforce? Can you be sure that your new phone system will stand the test of time and that you won’t need to upgrade again for a long while? The answer to these questions can be found within a hosted phone system. From feature-rich platforms that boost productivity and provide everything your team needs to be successful, to future-proofing your communications with a scalable, always fit-for-purpose system – the hosted business phone system does it all. Let’s jump into what a hosted phone system is and how all the benefits it can bring to your business.

What is a Hosted Telephone System?

A hosted telephone system is an internet-based virtual phone system that is hosted within the cloud. Unlike traditional PBX telephony solutions that are on-premise and rely on a network of old-fashioned copper wires, a cloud-based hosted PBX system delivers phone calls and other communications over the internet via VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Its infrastructure, its server and applications are based within the cloud rather than within your business premises. As communication is based in the cloud and delivered via the internet, a traditional desk phone isn’t the only way your team can accept calls. Instead, with a cloud PBX, they can take calls across a range of devices, including their mobile device, and utilise laptops as softphones.

What is VoIP?

Voice over Internet Protocol is the technology that allows the calls you receive to be transferred and otherwise manipulated across a digital-based phone system, like a cloud-hosted phone system. As analogue voice signals are received by the phone at the other end of the line, VoIP phone systems work to break down and convert these signals into digital signals, as they reach your device. 

How Does a Cloud-Based Phone System Work?

Your business phone system will exist within a virtual cloud environment. You can then use an internet-enabled device, such as a computer or a mobile phone to access your business numbers. Unlike traditional PBX telephony that requires a long installation period, all your hosted phone system requires to start placing and receiving calls is an internet connection and your hosted phone system provider’s application downloaded onto your devices. Alongside traditional voice and call handling features, such as auto-attendants (also known as IVR), call forwarding and recording, your hosted phone system is capable of integrating a wealth of other features that can help your team communicate efficiently, including messaging, video calls business application integration and more. These features are often present in Unified Communications systems.

What are Unified Communications systems?

Unified Communications (UC) systems are cloud-based applications that house all the essential communications tools a business needs to remain connected and productive. These include such tools as voice, messaging, email, video conferencing, file transfers, collaborative digital environments and more. A form of cloud phone system, UC systems are recognised as a huge cost-saving measure for businesses that often use multiple forms of communication, consolidating these monthly subscription fees into a single, easy-to-manage monthly cost. They’re also known to boost productivity amongst mid to large-sized teams by eliminating the need to toggle between various applications. With UC, all communications tools are found in a single application, with no need to switch between services, even when swapping formats.

5 Key Benefits of a Hosted Phone System

So, now we know what it is and how it works, it’s time to explore the many benefits that a hosted phone system can provide for your business.

1. Cloud-Based Phone Systems are Cost-Effective

Compared with traditional, on-premise telephony, hosted phone systems are far more cost-effective. There’s no need for long installation periods or to purchase expensive new hardware. Connecting your new hosted phone system to your network is simple and, in most cases, you can utilise the devices you already have to make and receive calls.

2. Bring Your Team Together with Collaboration Tools

As your service is delivered over the internet, hosted phone systems provide far more modern capabilities and advanced features compared to traditional office phone systems. From a range of collaboration features, such as shared phone numbers and secure file sharing within the cloud, your hosted phone solution enables your team to work together and communicate with your customers effectively.

3. Empower Your Team to Work From Anywhere

From a better work-life balance to being able to utilise their time more efficiently by cutting out the lengthy commute to the office, the modern workforce is crying out for more flexible ways of working. However, working away from the office can raise concerns when it comes to your team working effectively together and accessing your phone network securely from home. With a hosted phone system, your team has access to the same communication capabilities as they do in the office and can make calls from their home-based devices, securely without your data or their personal contact details being compromised.

4. Built for the Future

As with any new solution, it’s important that you safeguard your investment by ensuring that the solution is adaptable to any change your business will go through in the future. Traditional phone systems, due to being reliant on traditional wiring, are rigid, making adding new users to your network a long, laborious task. With a hosted phone system, scaling your solution up or down to suit your needs is simple. All you need to do is add or remove the users from the application platform and you’re good to go.

5. Disaster-Recovery that Keeps Your Business Moving

Should disaster strike like a flood, fire or global pandemic, which would prevent you from being able to work within your premises, you need a solution that enables your business to continue its operations away from the office. With traditional on-site telephony that doesn’t support re-routing calls to mobile or taking calls over the internet via an app, you’re tethered to a premises that you can’t use. This can lead to your business operations being stunted, your customers being unable to reach you and your team being unable to do their job.

However, with a hosted telephone system, you can reroute your communication from your premises to your team’s devices, remotely. No disruption to your service and your customers won’t even know that there has been an issue. During a crisis, the last thing you need is to scramble to quickly find an alternative solution. With a hosted telephone system, you already have access to everything you need for your business to keep going, should the worst happen. This leaves you with more time to deal with the situation and get your premises back up and running as soon as possible.

Are There Any Cons to Hosted Phone Systems?

As with all technology solutions, there are drawbacks. But, arguably, the drawbacks are very much outweighed by the benefits, with cons being solved easily.

Firstly, if your internet connection doesn’t have the bandwidth necessary to cope with implementing a hosted cloud phone system, then you will need to invest in a more robust internet connection. Furthermore, if your team does not have access to a decent internet connection when they are working remotely, this could pose an issue to the success of this solution. However, in this day and age, most premises and properties are on fibre broadband which should provide the bandwidth they need for hosted telephony.

Another potential drawback is the lack of control you will have over your solution. For the security conscious, the idea of your phone system being managed externally can be an off-putting thought. However, a good hosted phone system provider will be able to demonstrate the rigorous security principals that they enforce, as well as the steps that are taken to keep your data secure. This means you can have all the benefits of hosted telephony, without the stress of managing your solution and without your data being compromised – it’s a win, win, win!

The Host with the Most – Hosted Phone Systems from Elite

With over 20 years of experience within the telecoms industry, you can trust us to find an intelligent hosted phone system that works for your business, no matter its size or type. With a hosted telephone system from Elite you remove the hassle and cost of installation and maintenance of your solution whilst enjoying all the benefits it provides.

But what sets us apart?

Simple – our service. Alongside a hosted phone system that provides all the benefits we’ve talked about in this article, you have access to an expert team of specialists, so you can rely on us to be there for you when you need us. Whether it’s a query on how to get the most out of your new solution or a support request if you have an issue, we don’t keep you hanging around waiting for answers. You will also be assigned your own, named, Account Manager, who is there to take away the stress of managing your contract. They will perform regular analyses on your contract with us and if there is a better option for you, we’ll let you know!

Get in touch with us today and our team will work with you to find the best hosted phone system for your business. Call 0344 875 8880 or fill in our contact form here.