Do you know that fewer and fewer people are relying on landlines to make calls? And at this rate, we can expect that even more will shift to internet-based communication.
And what does this mean for the abandoned technology? If providers are smart, they will shift their focus to growing markets and reduce their investments in the old systems.
That’s the reason behind the growing number of service providers like Freeje that gives you access to what we believe is the future of communications. And one of the better alternatives that enterprises have been switching to is cloud-based phone systems.
What is it?
We’re sure you’re familiar with wired connections because that’s what landlines use. So with this newer system, there isn’t even one copper line needed to make it work.
Instead, you rely on the internet (or the cloud) to do the magic. That’s basically it. In this system, everything is treated as data. Everything you say and hear is constantly being uploaded and downloaded as it happens. That’s why there’s little to no lag.
Keep in mind, cloud-based is a very b
road term. There are a lot of intricacies to this based on the specific type of technology you’re using.
But for now, we’ll take it as this whole new internet thing for you to better see its differences with traditional phones.
So why should you get one?
People aren’t switching for no reason. And so far, these are the most salient reasons why they did:
- It’s cheaper
If you’re a startup founder, it would cost you an arm and a leg to go with the traditional route.
This is the cheaper option because you don’t have to shell out for initial investments in equipment and add-on features like queueing calls and auto attendants. Even in the long run, this is much cheaper because there’s no equipment that you have to maintain and eventually replace.
For as long as you have an internet connection, you don’t have to worry about anything.
- It’s much easier to set up
If there is the actual equipment that has to be brought to your office, you can’t order it now and get it the next day. Chances are you’ll have to wait a few days (or even weeks) before you can get it up and running.
But not if you go with the cloud. If you ever need to add a few more numbers for the new members of your team, you don’t have to disrupt your operations in any way. You can integrate the new numbers yourself into your existing cloud system yourself.
- It doesn’t need technical knowledge
Granted that for extremely complicated systems, you’ll need some help. But even that’s a problem that you can more easily address because you don’t have to rely on your provider alone for solutions.
With a traditional phone system, you’ll likely need their experts to help you because they’re the only ones that can handle their equipment. This alternative lets you do it on your own or with the help of an expert of your choice.
- The team can be anywhere in the world
You’re not tied to copper wires, which we’re sure you can’t take with you to a business meeting abroad. So because everything happens through the internet, team members can be anywhere with a good connection and still be able to get work done.
- You can access features easily
Add more features to your system without a lot of paperwork or unreasonable add-on fees. You can also choose which ones you need instead of forcing yourself to be satisfied with a prepackaged solution that doesn’t work for your organization.
This means that any increase in demand can easily be addressed, almost as easily as ordering an ebook online.
Why shouldn’t you get one?
- It requires fast internet
As we said, the magic happens in the cloud. This means that you can’t get things running if you don’t have a stable connection.
So if you’re all in an office, you have to make sure there aren’t dead spots so as not to interrupt with service usability. Usually, providers will recommend that you have a Wi-Fi audit to avoid this issue.
- Call quality may be affected
This problem will stem from not having a good internet connection. Everything is constantly being uploaded and downloaded, so any internet speed fluctuation will result in to decrease in quality.
Should you get one?
Understanding the benefits and risks of this system, we can confidently recommend it in almost all circumstances except when internet stability is a serious and unresolvable issue.
This switch would be like upgrading to something better and still paying a lot less. Where else will you get that deal?
Do more with cloud-based phone systems, the doorway to the future.
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Free resource: The RAG Knowledge Base Prep Checklist.
The short version: A cloud-based phone system routes calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines, giving businesses flexibility, lower costs, and features like call routing and video conferencing without extra hardware. It’s worth it if your team works remotely or you want to scale without installing new lines, but it depends on your internet reliability and specific business needs.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cloud-based phone system cheaper than a traditional landline?
In most cases, yes. You skip the cost of physical phone lines and on-site hardware, paying instead a monthly fee per user. Savings grow as your team expands, since adding lines is just a software change rather than a new installation.
Do I need special equipment to use a cloud phone system?
Not necessarily. Many providers let you make calls straight from a laptop, tablet, or smartphone using an app. Some businesses still prefer physical desk phones, which usually connect through the same internet connection.
What happens if my internet goes down?
This is the main risk with cloud-based systems. If your connection drops, calls can be disrupted unless you have a backup plan, such as call forwarding to mobile numbers or a secondary internet connection.
Is a cloud phone system suitable for small businesses?
Yes, small businesses often benefit the most since they avoid large upfront costs for equipment and can add or remove users as needed. The flexibility suits businesses with remote teams or seasonal staffing changes.
Related reading: What Cloud-Based Productivity Tools Help Remote Teams Collaborate (Not Just Look Busy) and How Does Cloud-Based Invoicing Software Compare for Small Businesses?.
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