Cloud technology has changed the face of the business world. According to the Voice of the Enterprise: Cloud Transformation survey by 451Research, 90% of companies use a cloud service of some kind. New remote working models have meant much of the workforce has migrated online, and cloud technology has helped make this possible by providing the flexibility needed to ensure businesses could continue to operate during the pandemic.
Cloud technology allows any sized business to place as much or as little of their IT infrastructure on the cloud, with public cloud services provided by large companies such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.
Underneath the cloud umbrella sits cloud communications services. This technology, which is underpinned by VoIP (Voice over internet protocol), allows businesses to set up phone systems that suit their needs. VoIP has been around for decades, but advancements in this technology, and its integration with cloud technology, have made it a powerful service businesses can leverage.
Save time and money by eliminating traditional phone systems
When businesses move to cloud communications systems, they can do away with traditional phone systems like on-premises PBX, or on-premises VoIP, which need equipment like servers and phone boxes on site. Instead, all that’s needed is a PC, or other device, and a headset. A physical phone is not required, although you can choose to have one connected to your device with an adapter.
With cloud technology, the responsibility, maintenance and upkeep of equipment and hardware (other than the devices and headsets) sits with the cloud provider. Businesses rent space on the cloud and pay only for the resources they consume on a monthly basis. Since calls take place over the internet, costs are substantially reduced.
A business that can keep up with the pace of the world
Working remotely is made possible with cloud technology, and the pandemic has made remote working the new standard. The use of cloud communications platforms means businesses can make phone calls from any device, allowing employees to connect with their colleagues and customers from anywhere around the world. Communications tools such as Teams Direct Calling have made this possible; all-important business meetings and conferences can now be held online.
Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS) is one of the many services available on cloud technology. It is a term used to describe communications platforms available through the cloud. For example, Microsoft Teams allows businesses to have all their communications through one interface.
For larger enterprises, there are also private and hybrid cloud options, where some or all phone hardware remains on premises. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can help to manage such configurations. Traditional phone network (PSTN) integration through direct routing can also be configured by a telecommunications provider.
Just like with other cloud services, a unified communications platform allows businesses to collect real time data which makes for quick decision making. One advantage of cloud technology is that it provides powerful analytical tools and machine learning capabilities so businesses can quickly act on improving weak processes.
The scalability of cloud-based technology also means that resources can be quickly added without a huge investment as was the case with traditional IT setups. The result is businesses can quickly take advantage of opportunities, and have the ability to experiment, innovate, and grow.
Quality communication with high professionalism
A cloud communications solution delivers exceptional quality in voice to the point where customers would not be able to tell the difference between that and traditional phone communications. Your business can still have a phone number and still appear professional to the outside world.
Customer service is improved with SMS, chat, email and voice options. Your business will work more efficiently with a centralized communications system where files can be modified and shared in real time and business messages can be distributed through a centralized channel.
Disaster recovery is also made simpler with cloud services, making your business more dependable. A virtual server, for example, can be created with just a few clicks. With a cloud communications platform, calls can be forwarded to a mobile phone if a problem arises with the service.
Cloud providers have powerful servers located all over the world, so if one fails, traffic can be redistributed to another server, keeping calls flowing. An MSP can help draw up a disaster recovery plan that covers all bases.
The benefits of cloud communications are worth exploring. Together with other cloud services, a cloud solution can help your business embrace this ever-changing world and take advantage of this new landscape to stay ahead of the pack. Talk to the experts at BCS365 to find out more about how they can assess your communications needs, and help your business take that next step into the future.