9 Questions To Ask Before Changing Your Business Phone System

9 Questions To Ask Before Changing Your Business Phone System

You ve got a business that operates in multiple locations and you ve heard there s a new phone technology that has taken quantum leaps forward in improving inter-office communications. Still, you re unsure whether it s really worth investing in the conversion. Does that situation sound familiar? As you consider switching from a traditional premise-based telephony solution to a cloud-based phone system, it s normal to feel a bit, well, cloudy when trying to understand what the real advantages are for your business. Major changes to the way your business operates naturally require a period of adjustment, but the overall benefits of a cloud-based phone service far outweigh any momentary discomfort you may experience. To help familiarize you with cloud-based phone systems and how they improve your business operations, we ve aggregated a comprehensive list of nine questions to ask before making the change: 1 What are the cost benefits for changing my phone system? Updating your business to a cloud-based phone system saves you money right from the beginning, starting with your monthly phone bills. Most cloud-based service plans include local and longdistance calling. It also eliminates the hassle of hosting your facility-based phone system. The setup costs are also kept low because there s no need to purchase an expensive traditional phone system infrastructure. All you need are the right VoIP-ready telephones. While you re saving on your costs, you re also getting the latest advanced features and benefits of a brand new phone system.

2 My current phone system works. Why would I change? The latest advances in VoIP technology are worth taking advantage of because they make running your business much easier while saving you money at the same time. When you switch to a cloud-based phone system everything is software-driven, so you have far less hardware to purchase and maintain. Also, changes or upgrades to your service are quick and easy. It only takes minutes to change ring groups, departments and phone trees. No more punch tools and physically switching wires. Essentially, you have total control over your company s communications with both employees and customers. 3 Are there new features available with the latest technology? There are quite a few features with the latest technology that are favorable to your business. Here s the rundown of the services a cloud-based phone provides: Direct your calls to your mobile phone, office phone or straight to voicemail if you re busy mobility and flexibility is a built-in function. Send voicemails to email you can read rather than listen if that s more convenient for you. Transfer calls to internal or external phone numbers instantly. Eliminate geographical restrictions everyone is on the same phone system, regardless of where they are working from. Record or monitor all of your calls in real time. Change greetings or music on hold in a matter of seconds. Rerouting calls is easy and flexible. Send faxes to email or to a traditional fax machine.

4 What is the new technology and how is it different from my current, traditional phone system? Voice Over IP (VoIP), or cloud-based, technology uses the internet to provide telephony services at a reduced cost (the chief attraction of a cloud-based phone system). This phone system has the ability to deliver calls over the internet, route inbound calls to the correct workers inside the company and provide telephony applications like voicemail and call recording. Instead of buying an entire service, you are instead using a simple and inexpensive device to access that service. Cloud-based technology also allows you to take advantage of advanced phone system features without the need to purchase and maintain a phone system. These advantages include lower operating costs, automatic updates, built-in disaster recovery and scalability. 5 Can the customer experience be improved with the new system? Many of the advanced phone system features directly relate to enhancing the customer experience. At any given point in the day, you have the ability to directly connect a customer to the person they need to speak with in a single phone call. You never have to provide a separate cell phone number. Also, if you re out of the office, calls are routed and transferred directly to your mobile phone. The ability to record and monitor calls also results in improved customer interaction. With a cloud-based phone system customers benefit from better call management along with reduced mishandled calls and downtime.

6 What are the operational and productivity benefits we can realize with the new technology? There are a variety of ways that cloud-based phone systems improve your business operations and productivity: Guide performance of new employees with the call recording feature. Route to your mobile or home phones no need to be less productive when out of the office. Save time and avoid missing important opportunities by sending voicemails to your email. Have your faxes sent directly to you as an email. Route calls to alternate locations or mobile phones during a disaster. Avoid costs and save time when moving your cloudbased system operates anywhere. Keep your phone numbers even if you move. Receive calls from anywhere in the world and route them to your office or mobile phone. Avoid the need to host or maintain a phone system this can be done in the cloud. 7 What are the costs to move from a traditional phone system to cloud-based phone systems? The costs for moving your service to the cloud are kept low compared to a traditional phone service. There s no need to purchase a package plan or a new phone system. With a cloudbased phone system, you do have to purchase the required telephones, which range anywhere from $100-$250 per phone. However, leasing new phones is a viable alternative. Since your cloud-based phone system typically uses internet broadband services that you are already paying for, the cost is less than what you currently pay for the phone lines and maintenance of a traditional phone system. When you make the switch, the savings are immediate.

8 Will there be a service disruption if I move to the new technology? There should be no service disruption if you work with a high-quality provider. ConnectMeVoice installs new services using a temporary phone number. We move your current phone number only after everything has been set up and thoroughly tested. With this procedure in place there is absolutely no downtime. 9 Can I keep my same phone numbers? If you choose to keep your current local or toll-free numbers, they are ported to your provider s service without interruption. With a cloud-based phone system, you reduce the cost of your phone bill while also eliminating extra expenditures. There s no more need for extra space for servers and cables and additional manpower to maintain the system. Although the cost benefits are a huge factor, the customer experience greatly improves from the convenience and flexibility a cloudbased phone system provides. These two components combine to form the soundest solution technology currently offers for your business to operate from as many locations as you would ever need. To learn more about the advantages of a cloud-based phone service for your business, call 800-743-1208 ext. 3 or click here to speak with a ConnectMeVoice representative.