Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) is an all-in-one cloud communications platform that brings your organization a business phone system, chat, video conferencing, business texting, file sharing and storage, and much more.
Is your business phone system putting your business on hold?
Your customers need to reach you... no matter what. Your colleagues are seeking new ways to collaborate and communicate, whether in the office, out in the field, or working from home. Has your legacy analog phone system served you well? Perhaps it has. But have you done any due diligence on the potential advantages of modernizing your business communications with a move to the cloud?
Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) is an all-in-one cloud communications platform that brings your organization a business phone system, chat, video conferencing, business texting, file sharing and storage, and much more. From scalability to simple uptime, it might be worth your consideration.
What's the Difference Between an On-premise and Cloud-based Phone System?
Here are a few of the main differences.
There are several differences, starting with the location of equipment: In an on-premises phone system, all the hardware, including the PBX (Private Branch Exchange) and servers, are physically located on the organization's premises. This means that the organization has full control over the equipment and its maintenance. In a cloud phone system, the hardware and infrastructure are hosted and maintained by a third-party service provider in their data centers. Organizations access and use the phone system through the Internet, and they don't need to manage the physical equipment.
Second, consider the upfront costs. Setting up an on-premises phone system typically involves higher upfront costs for purchasing and installing the necessary hardware and software. This includes the PBX, phones, and infrastructure. Cloud phone systems usually have lower upfront costs because organizations don't need to invest in on-site hardware. Instead, they pay a subscription or usage-based fee to the service provider.
Finally, there are ongoing maintenance factors. With on-premise, organizations are responsible for the ongoing maintenance, updates, and repairs of their on-premises phone systems. This can require dedicated IT staff and resources. In the cloud, maintenance, updates, and technical support are typically handled by the cloud phone system provider. This can reduce the burden on the organization's IT department.
On-Prem vs Cloud Phone System: 6 Things to Consider When Comparing Business Communications Systems.
Consideration 1: Costs.
- On-prem phone system: While you may have paid off your phone hardware, there are ongoing maintenance, support, phone line, and long-distance costs.
- Cloud communications: One low, per-user cost includes collaboration services, phones, phone lines, and long distance. Also, there are no maintenance, upgrade, or support costs.
Consideration 2: Features.
- On-prem phone system: This system is designed only to support voice features (voicemail, call forwarding, call waiting, call groups, etc.).
- Cloud communications: This modern workforce requires voice, chat, video conferencing, business SMS, file sharing, and storage. And desktop and mobile apps are included.
Consideration 3: Employee productivity.
- On-prem phone system: It is tied to your office. Employees must be in the office to utilize the phone system.
- Cloud communications: Employees can be in the office, at home, remotely, or, frankly, anywhere in between.
Consideration 4: Customer experience.
- On-prem phone system: Limited on ability to provide great customer experience beyond traditional phone settings.
- Cloud communications: Lets customers communicate with your business in multiple ways including text; also gives you tools to ensure customer interactions are quick and positive.
Consideration 5: Newest technology.
- On-prem phone system: This system is made of hardware with software and will not get the latest technology.
- Cloud communications: You will always get the latest technology available, including AI, business analytics, and whatever comes next.
Consideration 6: The future.
- On-prem phone system. A standard on-prem phone system is a depreciating asset.
- Cloud communications: A UCaaS platform will continue to get better as new features are added and new technology is available.
Where people work, and how they choose to communicate, continues to transform. Whether employees are at home, at the office, or simply on the go, they need an office communications platform that moves with them. Enter Datamax CommCare, a UCaaS system designed to fit the communication needs of your organization. Click to learn more and schedule your visit with a Datamax Communications Specialist!
SOURCE: Intermedia
