What is Hosted VoIP?
By 2025, ISDN technology will be dead in the water. There are so many businesses still paying way over the odds for this “old style” type of technology. Here we take a look at the “new kid on the block”. By merging the business telephony communication with the power of the internet, the results are astounding. Monthly phone bills reduce, productivity levels rise, and geographic limits are gone. PBX manufacturers are moving away from the traditional sense of doing things. Now, more intelligent than ever, they are facilitating communications over the internet. Thus, it is time to move all your office communications over to hosted VoIP.
Hosted VoIP And Related Terms
The term hosted VoIP also means “hosted PBX”. Defined as the private branch exchange (PBX), it is a telephone system that allows members of any organisation to communicate among one another using a private network. Normally, the organisation would need to install expensive infrastructure for the PBX. Such equipment includes the telephone trunk, computer with a large memory, network lines, and switchboards with a human operator. “Hosted” means that the infrastructure the business would install is located in a remote place from where the telephone services are being utilised. Voice communications occur over the internet, thus the term IP (internet protocol). The offsite location hosting the infrastructure is the data centre or cloud.
Is the Cloud Safe?
With the worldwide use of clouds solutions, they are safe and reliable. If you have an email address; use instant chat; or services such as Dropbox, Google Drive; you are a cloud user. The cloud is a term given to servers, which host data and now telephone programs. When running the hosted VoIP, the provider runs the infrastructure on multiple servers. If one encounters a problem, the others continue operating.
Distinct Differences between Cloud and Normal PBX
Hosted VoIP equals less investment in hardware. Any small business with a few phones and large enterprises alike can use the services. It requires a monthly subscription, which grants users full access to advanced features. Users are not responsible for the maintenance of hosted PBX; in a traditional PBX the user must carry out maintenance for their system.
Features and Capabilities of the Cloud
If the business has access to a high-speed internet connection, communication will remain swift, and clear. Complex encryption also makes the network secure from snooping. It is also very rare for the servers to be offline. A hosted VoIP solution also has simple, but powerful unique features. They allow the business to do more for less and take advantage of ultra-modern technology solutions. Voice communications are not the only primary function of the cloud-based system; it goes beyond that. It integrates all the communication happening in the organisation –including email –giving you more value for less.
Our cloud-based service allows businesses to have:
Collaborative Features
With 2Connect, You can instantly message with colleges on the same network, using your computer. It supports video conference calls, at no additional charge. The software allows the recording of inbound and outgoing calls. You can also hold virtual meetings across the world at your office desktop. Also, it can sync all your contacts in one place.
Call Functionality Features
The system simplifies life in the office. It further redefines the meaning of telephony with features such as three-way calls, caller identification, and blocking. You can hold, and answer two phone calls. Now, you can have voicemails sent directly to your email inbox. Instead of listening, it can convert voice to text. You can customise the program to fit your needs; the features are boundless.
An Easy To Use Interface
The power of the hosted VoIP lies in its simplicity. From a feature-rich, user-friendly dashboard, you can customise every setting. You can enable features like auto attendant –or virtual assistant to direct callers.
7 Benefits of the Cloud
Keeping up with technology promotes a culture of forward-thinking in any business or industry. Being tech-savvy comes with added benefits; some visible and others intrinsic. To gain a clear understanding of the power of hosted VoIP, compare the features in an iPhone to the regular office desk telephone. Though they perform the same essential function –receiving and making phone calls –they are incomparable.
Less Capital Outlay and Cheap
The quick adoption of the VoIP system is due to the money it saves. Previously you would require a considerable capital outlay to install the entire infrastructure. Monthly subscriptions are cheap, and the quality of the voice is not affected. You only need minimal architecture; a router, a few desk phones, and a strong internet connection.
Access to Public Networks
Cloud-communications support the receiving and placing of external calls to other mobile network users. Businesses can choose to keep their network private or a hybrid of the two. Regardless of the service, costs remain low. You can use private and public communications concurrently.
Automatic Updates
Technology keeps getting better each day; businesses cannot simply refuse change. As new better systems emerge, you don’t have to worry about keeping up. With a cloud-based system, the service provider remains responsible for hardware and software updates.
Top Class Customer Service
With a feature loaded software managing your communications, the level of services rendered improves. The system can handle high traffic, and features like the virtual attendant take away the hassle of receiving and directing customers out of your hands.
Supports Growing Businesses
For companies with high growth rates –nothing stays permanent. Thus, you require a solution that scales together with your business, and in this case, a hosted VoIP solution is the way to go. With the cloud solutions, you can use different area codes. That allows the company to receive local phone calls without having a physical presence in the area.
Collaborations
Video conferencing on a hosted VoIP setup is a breeze. Businesses today have to stay in touch with international clients, suppliers, contractors, and employees. You can count on the cloud-phone based technology to lead the way.
Running Communications on Various Devices
If your employees are always peering down at their smartphones, take the work, to the devices they use. The hosted VoIP infrastructure supports the addition of additional devices to the network –by merely installing an App. Thus, workers don’t have to miss another phone call again since they can carry the office with them.
The Bottom Line
Life is cruel for those businesses who resist change. Our telephone services will ensure you take advantage of the convenience of the new technology. Sooner or later, most businesses will adopt the cloud, thus, upgrade now and realise the benefits before the late adopters. To find out more simply contact our sales team on 03300 770070.