12 reasons to replace your SMB's phone system with a cloud calling solution

Is your business still using a traditional PBX phone system? As systems age and older phones become obsolete, you’re left bearing the costs of managing calling infrastructure. If you change your location, the expense of rewiring a new office can be prohibitive, and a restrictive on-site PBX fails to satisfy many of the needs of remote workers.

A hosted VoIP solution, on the other hand, leverages the power of the cloud to lower your overhead costs and provide more flexibility as your company scales and changes. Here are 12 reasons you should consider replacing your traditional PBX system with a cloud calling solution.

1) Lower your telecommunications costs

When you shift the burden of managing your business phone system to the cloud, you eliminate the need to continually maintain, update, repair, and replace various components, including infrastructure and physical phones. Shifting to a subscription-based model lets you anticipate and control telecom costs and scale as needed without a ton of expense.

2) Call from anywhere on any connected device

When your phone system is based in the cloud, you can make and receive calls from anywhere at any time, as long as you are using a compatible device. This means you can support remote employees, stay connected in the field, and join a call or meeting from your mobile, laptop, desktop, or traditional phone. The call is completed using a modern internet connection instead of outdated phone lines.

3) Access the benefits of a complete PBX

Hosted VoIP provides a virtual yet complete PBX system, allowing you to create multiple extensions, enable direct inward dialing (DID) numbers, and utilize directory-based dialing. A virtual receptionist can welcome callers, offer menu options, and direct calls, while a virtual mailbox can gather messages to be reviewed later.

4) Enjoy powerful cloud calling features

Advanced business calling features are available, including hold and resume, call waiting, transfer, forward, and do not disturb.

5) Make calling and conferencing easy

VoIP communication systems support an effective and collaborative work environment. Switch seamlessly between phones and devices mid-call, and transfer or merge calls effortlessly. You can also change your one-on-one call to a multi-line conference in a split second or elevate a call to an online meeting for more flexibility and options.

6) Utilize messaging and file-sharing on demand

Cloud calling can also include multiple messaging and file-sharing features, allowing you to connect and collaborate for greater productivity. Direct chat lets you message one-on-one, while team chat rooms allow group brainstorming with expressive messaging, rich text, and easy file-sharing. Read and respond in real-time, or flag important items to review later. Messages and conversations are all saved and stored for easy retrieval if needed.

7) Collaborate effortlessly with team members, clients, or vendors

Voice calls can be converted to online conferencing, allowing you to turn a call into a meeting at any time. This permits you to utilize collaborative tools like screen sharing, file drag and drop functionality, and digital whiteboards. Is someone running late? Record and transcribe your meeting effortlessly so anyone who missed part of the call can catch up later.

8) Control everything from a centralized, cloud-based application

With one easy-to-manage, central cloud app, you can perform all administrative functions required to manage and operate your business from anywhere. Your VoIP benefits can be accessed by anyone on your team, as long as they have network credentials and a compatible call-enabled device. You also arrange to keep your own carrier for an even smoother transition.

9) Scale your business smoothly at your own pace

Instead of struggling to decide when it’s time to expand and add more physical lines (and physical employees) to your company headquarters, you can use cloud calling to expand your business with greater flexibility. Adding a line can be as simple as requesting provisioning, and the line can be assigned to a worker who telecommutes or works remotely part or all of the time.

10) Benefit from high-level security

Cloud calling features deep security that encrypts your calls, sends them through secure channels, and has multiple safeguards in place to prevent malicious intrusion and foil hacking attempts. When your phone system is in the cloud, security updates can be applied automatically, leaving you with peace of mind.

11) Simplify administrative tasks

Cloud calling allows you to configure everything from your software dashboard once a line is provisioned. As mentioned above, you can easily handle any necessary admin tasks as you scale, adding new team members with just a few clicks, efficiently assigning extensions, etc. You can also set up attendants or phone menus to allow people calling your business to easily reach the right person—without having to speak with multiple team members live to help direct their call.

12) Give employees a customizable setup

You can provide your employees with the option to customize their own business phone experiences, from choosing basic settings to configuring do not disturb, call forwarding, and single number reach. Simplified, intuitive setup processes make it unnecessary to contact IT for every change.

Let go of your traditional PBX, and embrace cloud calling. It can save you money, time, and frustration, and help you grow your company more rapidly than ever.