Cloud telephony can do a lot for the workplace. It can make communication both within the business and with customers more effective, and can save time and boost productivity. But what exactly is it, and is it right for you? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about cloud telephony and the benefits it offers.
What is cloud telephony?
Cloud telephony is a way to bring your business’ communication systems together, offering a streamlined way to make and receive phone calls. Everything is done through an internet connection, which helps to make communication more efficient by keeping everything in one place.
What are the benefits of cloud telephony?
There are many benefits to using cloud telephony. For a start, it’s more secure than other communication systems, so you can make and take calls with confidence, knowing that your information is safe.
Using a cloud-based system has the potential to save your business money, as it negates the need for multiple pieces of expensive equipment that might require costly maintenance to keep communication running.
Switching to cloud telephony can give you access to a number of useful features. Let’s look at a real cloud telephony system, Horizon, as an example.
Horizon provides cloud telephony with a number of functions designed to improve communication. It makes cloud and video calling possible on a variety of devices, including laptops, mobile phones and desktop computers. It can also make it simple to collaborate on projects throughout your business, with real-time communication via instant messaging and the ability to share files.
All of this is particularly useful if your business includes remote or hybrid workers, as cloud telephony makes it possible to reach someone via their work phone number regardless of their location.
When you use Horizon, you’ll be able to record calls, which means you won’t have to worry about remembering the details of important conversations – instead, you can listen back to them. This is great for customer interaction, as it means you can focus on the customer rather than having to take notes on what they’re saying, which could result in them not receiving your full attention.
You have a lot more control over telephony than you do with other systems, as it’s up to you to decide which locations telephony can be accessed from, and you can grant access by selecting IP addresses. The telephony system can be managed online, and you can arrange timetables, set up call groups that allow you to contact multiple people through a single phone number, and list an unlimited number of contacts. Being able to manage everything communication-related from one place saves time and allows you to focus on more pressing matters.
Some people are unsure about switching to cloud telephony, as they’re concerned about issues that might arise during the switch, such as having to change phone numbers, or what might happen if the company moves to new premises. But telephony systems like Horizon let you keep all your existing numbers, and if you move, your telephony automatically goes with you – you just have to connect your devices to the new address’ internet connection and to the location itself.