When it comes to business telecommunications, two phone systems stand above the rest—Premise-Based Unified Communications (UC (Premise)) and Cloud-Based Unified Communications (UC (Cloud)).
Whether you run a small business or a corporate empire, a reliable phone system is one of the most important tools your company can have. Although traditional landlines once dominated the business telecom landscape, that has changed dramatically in recent years. Trunk systems aren’t efficient to use, they take a long time to set up, and they can be expensive to support.
When it comes to business telecommunications, there are really only two choices:
- Premise-Based Unified Communications (UC (Premise)): A voice-enabled phone system installed and maintained at your company’s physical location
- Cloud-Based Unified Communications (UC (Cloud)): A system whose software and hardware are hosted and maintained offsite by a UC service provider
You can’t go wrong with either of these options, but chances are, one will be a better fit than the other. This blog will clear up everything you need to know about the two systems so you can determine which solution is best for your business.
How to Choose the Perfect Business Phone Solution
Finding the perfect phone system to support your business can be challenging, but you’ll need to start by partnering with the right provider. To make the decision-making process easier, they’ll meet with you and examine your company’s status and future projections, while also establishing a reasonable budget. Your telecom provider will walk you through every phase of the project and help you answer the following questions:
Is It Flexible Enough to Scale My Business?
Premise and Cloud phone systems are incredibly flexible and can align with any vertical movement your company experiences. With Premise-Based UC systems, just contact your IP company and it will connect new users to the right equipment. Cloud-Based UC systems are set up in a similar fashion, but the only difference is the phone system will be activated through the cloud. And the beauty of both types of platforms is the way they integrate a variety of collaboration tools such as video and online conferencing, voice, desktop sharing, instant messaging, email and more.
Is It Mobile-Friendly?
Much of today’s business is transacted on the run. Many employees travel, so it’s important they have an efficient way to get in touch with other team members while they’re out of the office. Mobile communication is much easier with a Premise or Cloud phone service. Users can use their own mobile phones for business purposes from virtually any location with internet connectivity. The best part about this is it won’t cause personal cell phone bills to skyrocket when calling long distance.
Is It Easy to Use?
Simplicity is key when it comes to business telecommunications. If you’re running a business, you have a lot more to worry about than training your employees on how to use their phones. Yes, Premise and Cloud systems are robust, but they’re also user-friendly. They don’t take a lot of time to set up, and, unlike traditional phone systems, all you need to do is plug in the platform and you’re ready to go.
How Can I Save Money?
Affordability is arguably the most important factor to consider when you need a new phone system. When choosing between Premise-Based UC or Cloud-Based UC, your telecom provider will take a look at your budget and create an affordable and manageable plan. They’ll help you get the equipment you need for the lowest rate possible. Since both solutions are easy and fast to set up, you shouldn’t expect to get hit by unexpected service fees.
Affiliated Communications Can Optimize the Way Your Business Communicates
At Affiliated Communications, customer service is everything. Every day, we work diligently to improve the way businesses communicate. Whether it’s Premise-Based services, Cloud-Based, or any other type of business application, we promise to deliver an authentic solution that will help make your life much easier. It doesn’t matter what industry you work in or how many employees you have; our team will be there to set you up with an affordable solution that serves all of your unique needs.
Want to learn how to make your office a more efficient and productive work environment? Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team of experts!
