How To Choose A Cloud Phone System Provider

How To Choose The Right Cloud Phone System Provider

Businesses today are turning to cloud phone systems more than ever, but how do you know which one is right for your company? First thing’s first, there are two types of cloud phone systems to consider: basic hosted VoIP and premium managed VoIP. To help you choose the one that’s best for your business, we’ve dialed it down
to nine simple questions you should ask to help determine which type of VoIP provider is best for your business.

1. IS YOUR BUSINESS GROWING OR SCALING BACK?
Companies in growth mode are better off choosing a managed VoIP service provider that is able to keep up with ongoing changes in technology without interrupting service or requiring constant software downloads and updates. A company that’s scaling back may be able to cut costs by using a basic hosted VoIP provider, but will need to set a budget to cover the expense of ongoing support.

2. IS YOUR BUSINESS PHONE-DEPENDENT?
Basic hosted VoIP service providers are okay for companies that don’t rely on their phones for revenue generation, but if your company requires employees to be in constant communication with clients and prospects, a managed cloud phone service is a wiser choice, given the higher call quality, security and reliability.
Who relies on their phone systems to generate revenue and support customers?

3. DOES YOUR BUSINESS HAVE MULTIPLE LOCATIONS?
Whether your offices are scattered across one city or 50 countries, multi-site management, scalability, and mobility support for employees on-the-go are a few of the features critical to the success of companies with multiple locations. Advanced features, like these, are found only in managed cloud phone providers.

4. DO YOU NEED ADVANCED FEATURES?
All VoIP phone providers offer basic call management features, such as caller ID, voicemail, and conferencing, but only managed VoIP providers deliver advanced features, like contact center call queuing, interactive voice response, computer technology integration, multimedia recording, and mobile phone management — to name a few. If your business needs more than the basics, a managed VoIP is for you.

5. DO YOU HAVE THE TIME AND RESOURCES TO MANAGE A PHONE SYSTEM?
A basic VoIP provider requires your employees to set up the phones, update the software and troubleshoot issues, so if you’re leaning toward basic, make sure you have the time and IT staff to dedicate to it. Managed VoIP providers deliver expert installation, ongoing support and automatic software upgrades. Plus, they enable you to add new licenses and services without limit.

6. DO YOU NEED YOUR PHONE SYSTEM TO GENERATE REVENUE?
If it’s important that your phone system pull its weight, managed VoIP services are equipped to give you a few strategic advantages that a basic system can’t. For example, a managed VoIP can be configured to integrate with your CRM, ERP, ATS and other apps. It can also cull information that will help you optimize staff levels, evaluate employee performance, analyze your marketing spend and better understand customer behavior.

7. ARE YOUR PEOPLE ON-THE-GO?
Basic VoIP is great for static offices, but if your people are on the go, mobility features are important from a managed VoIP service provider. Managed VoIP systems enable you to transfer a call from wherever you are (home, airport, coffee shop) using whatever phone you choose, be it a desk phone, computer, or mobile.

8. DOES YOUR BUSINESS THRIVE ON THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY?
The wonderful thing about cloud based technology is that you have access to the latest solutions. How quickly you are able to access the latest and greatest depends on whether you choose basic or managed VoIP. As stated before, basic VoIP requires a do-it-yourself approach to hardware and software upgrades. Managed VoIP automatically takes care of the hardware and software upgrades for you.

9. HOW WILL YOU KNOW IF YOU’VE CHOSEN THE RIGHT VOIP PROVIDER?
Businesses searching for a VoIP phone provider that supports the way they work should use technology, service and vision to benchmark potential providers. Be sure to ask each VoIP vendor you consider what kind of technology they use, and how they intend to service your system when issues arise or upgrades are needed. Lastly, consider the reputation of the VoIP provider; do they stay current or have they fallen behind? Are they visionary or reactionary?

At General Communications, we strive to provide our customers with the highest level of satisfaction and customer service. Our team of account executives and engineers will work with your company to design a complete, state-of-the-art communications system that will be customized to meet your current and future needs. We have a saying, “We should not expect our customers to invest in technology unless it can make them more competitive, productive and profitable.”

General Communications makes it possible for small to large sized businesses to take advantage of communications technology in order to reduce their costs, improve their productivity, and enhance customer experiences. From concept to go-live, we handle every aspect of your project.

Call 781-756-5100 or click here to contact us.

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