It should be noted that “cloud,” in this case, refers to a VoIP service that is hosted on servers in a data center. A consumer or business uses an existing broadband connection and, usually, a separate modem to access the telephony aspects of the service. Even though this type of connection will often use an existing Internet connection, they are usually separated from general Internet access for security and stability.
Though VoIP services have been around for at least a decade already, they haven’t been the most attractive services — until now. Technology has changed that has not only improved the security, but voice quality and speed of communication has greatly improved as well. These types of telecommunications services are also far more affordable than they ever were before.
Because all of the services can be delivered from the cloud servers, there is no need for any extra equipment to be installed. A business that needs multiline capabilities can have it without installing a multiline switchboard in the office. Each line can be routed via the cloud and ring at the appropriate office phones. This adds additional cost savings.
These services were usually only affordable for large companies in the past, but with expanding technologies and prices dropping at a fast rate, even home businesses can take advantage of advanced telephone services without breaking the bank. This is especially beneficial in sectors such as doctors’ offices, dental offices and lawyers’ offices, to name a few.
Cloud-based services also provide the option for a company to take advantage of greater mobility too. For instance, calls can be routed to the office, car, or even an email address. For customers who want to get away from being tied to a landline of any kind, these types of services are extremely handy. They also come with a far lower price than traditional call forwarding methods.
Because businesses have trouble with change and trust in emerging technologies, it’s often a good idea to test the cloud-based VoIP systems on a small scale to begin with. Generally speaking, most businesses won’t last a month before they want everything converted completely to the VoIP service. They find that it works just as well as, if not better than, traditional phone services.
It’s a scalable service, which means it can be as small or as big as needed. Businesses are more interested in saving costs in areas that will actually help them improve their operations as a whole, rather than laying off staff. Switching to a cloud-based system could be the answer.