In 2023, impeccable communications is essential for businesses to excel.  With the advancement of the internet of things, cloud-based phone systems have become popular among businesses as they offer advantages such as cost-effectiveness, scalability, and ease of use. If you are considering getting a new cloud-based phone system for your business (and lets face it, who isn’t), there are a few things you need to consider.

First, you need to determine, and be very clear about, your business requirements. If you identify the features you need and how many users you will have this will help you choose a provider that meets your specific needs. Secondly, you need to consider the call volume your business experiences, the call quality you require, and whether you need remote access, conference calling, call forwarding and messaging. All these factors will influence your choice of provider.

Once you have identified your requirements, it’s time to start looking for a provider. It’s essential to obtain quotes from several providers to compare pricing, features, and service. Be sure to ask about hidden fees, setup costs, and ongoing maintenance costs. Also, ensure that the provider offers reliable customer support and service level agreements that meet your business needs.

Ultimately, all phone and internet services experience faults or outages at some point. What ends up being vital for businesses is their ability to get back online and functioning quickly. Larger telco’s, while appearing friendly and helpful often have the longest support times and this can hurt a business. Local, smaller suppliers can often offer faster support and have a vested local interest in getting you back online regardless of where the fault may have come from.

Another important consideration is scalability. Your business may grow over time, so you need to choose a cloud-based phone system that can accommodate this growth. Ensure that the provider offers features such as mobile call routing, conferencing, and call recording, which can help manage increased call volume. Additionally, look for a provider that offers flexible pricing plans to allow you to add or remove features as needed.

When choosing a cloud-based phone system, it’s crucial to ensure that it’s future-proofed. This means that the system can adapt to new technology and can be upgraded as needed. Choose a provider that offers regular updates and upgrades to keep your phone system up-to-date with the latest technology. Additionally, ensure that the provider offers integration with other business applications such as CRM, email, and messaging. This can help streamline your communication processes and enhance productivity.

Finally, ensure that your provider offers robust security features to protect your business from data breaches and cyber-attacks. Look for providers that offer encryption, two-factor authentication, and secure data storage. Additionally, ensure that the provider offers regular data backups to protect against data loss.

Getting a new cloud-based phone system can offer significant benefits to your business. However, it’s crucial to consider your business requirements, and ensure that the system is future-proofed and scalable. Above all, ensure that the provider offers robust security features and reliable customer support.  By taking the time to consider these factors, you can choose a cloud-based phone system that meets your business needs and helps enhance communication and productivity. This ultimately means doing business better.