We know better than anyone that there is a certain comfort in the familiar look and feel of an old office desk phone. For many businesses across the Roanoke Valley, that handset sitting on the reception desk has been there for a decade or more, seamlessly handling daily client calls. But if you’re finding that seamlessly is not the word, it might be time to start taking a look at cloud phone systems.
If it still rings and you can hear a voice on the other end, it’s easy to assume that everything is working just fine, but could you be leaving added efficiency and ease on the table (or desk, in this case)?
Behind the scenes, an aging on-site phone system can gradually hold a company back no matter what stage of life the business finds itself in. The way modern teams actually do business has fundamentally shifted, and traditional hardware struggles to stay up to par with the fast pace of today’s workplace. It is during transitional phases of business growth that a major realization is faced by owners: hanging onto outdated infrastructure is often more expensive and restrictive. Fortunately, a business phone upgrade does not have to be the stressful, disruptive headache that many fear it to be, especially with the experience RCI brings to the table (or desk, yet again).
What Could Possibly Be Different in Cloud Phone Systems?
The primary difference between older telephony models and modern cloud phone systems comes down to where the actual system is housed. Traditional lines rely on the on-site unit that keeps communications under the same roof. You know the massive boxes of wires and circuit boards bolted to a wall in the back utility closet? That’s what that is!
We often find that when companies transition to a cloud phone system in Roanoke, that physical box is eliminated. However, not all VoIP systems are cloud-based, meaning a traditional on-premises VoIP setup would still require local hardware. Business owners are generally pleased with the freed-up space that comes with systems operating solely on the cloud. From there on out, the entire communication framework functions securely over internet infrastructure and cloud servers. By making this shift, you’ll gain flexibility that older hardware simply cannot match. For instance, if an employee needs to work from home, or if a storm rolls through the Roanoke area and knocks out power to your physical office, your entire phone system can be seamlessly accessed via a mobile app or laptop from anywhere with an internet connection.
If It Ain’t Broke, Not Fixing It Could Break You!
Many small business owners hold off on a business phone upgrade because they assume keeping their legacy system is the budget-friendly choice. However, when the real numbers are evaluated, the opposite often ends up being the case.
Older systems like legacy analog or digital lines require frequent, pricey maintenance, and upgrading the system with features such as voicemail, call recording, etc requires actual physical upgrades to the main unit as opposed to a simple software or firmware update. And while we’ll always service legacy phone systems, finding replacement parts for discontinued units becomes harder and more costly by the year.
On top of the upgrade scheduling and downtime hassle it brings, traditional phone systems necessitate heavy premiums for features that come native with modern cloud phone systems for business.
By switching to the cloud, massive savings are typically realized on lines and maintenance fees, with many including maintenance as part of the contract rather than asking for an hourly rate. Instead of unpredictable repair bills, your communication costs are neatly rolled into a predictable monthly rate that scales up or down as your team evolves.
Overcoming the Fear of the Switch
We acknowledge that the single biggest roadblock preventing companies from adopting cloud communications in Virginia is the fear of disruption. No business owner wants to risk dropping client calls or losing their primary phone number during a tedious installation and subsequent learning curve process.
At RCI, we completely understand that hesitancy, which is why we’re heavily involved for the duration, from the initial installation to training your staff in getting the most out of their new cloud phone system.
Your existing phone numbers are carefully ported over behind the scenes while your old system remains fully operational. When the actual day of the switch arrives, the new cloud handsets are simply plugged into your network, and your communication flow continues without a single dropped call.
It is an efficient, clean process that leaves your office looking tidier and operating smoother once it’s all said and done. And remember, we’re adept at working with phone systems old and new, so we’re not simply shoehorning a cloud phone system for a business without acknowledging what it takes to dispose of the old one!
An All-in-One Solution
One of the greatest benefits you’ll experience following a business phone upgrade is how your communication tools begin to mesh with the rest of your business technology. Your phone calls, text messages, voicemail-to-text transcriptions, and even your video meetings can all be unified within a single user interface, rather than five different applications serving five different purposes.
Everything works together as one streamlined platform, backed by a solid network infrastructure. Whether you are expanding to a new branch, setting up a remote team, or just want to make sure your customers encounter a highly professional auto-attendant every time they call, cloud communications provide the platform required to keep your company rowing in the right direction.
If you have been tolerating an aging phone system and want to explore how a seamless upgrade can modernize your office operations, let’s sit down and talk. We’re here to handle the logistics so you can focus your energy where it’s needed!
