A few signs your phone system isn’t keeping up:
- Phone system is on-prem; you are paying for licensing and support with a phone vendor, as well as PRI/SIP trunks with your phone provider.
- No API integration with your CRM/ERP/EHR
- Adding a new hire means a call to support and a wait.
- Poor voice quality issues, dropped calls, echoing
- Opening a second location means starting the whole setup over.
If any of that sounds familiar, then it’s important to know that the best cloud phone system for your growing business isn’t always the lowest cost. . It’s the one that scales with your business without forcing a rebuild every couple of years, comes with a portal that can add users and locations easily, and provides good support.
Hosted VoIP vs. UCaaS/CX
- Hosted VoIP is moving your phone system to the cloud. This provides Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity, so you never lose calls, even when you lose internet or power. Calls run over the internet instead of physical phone lines, with no on-site hardware or licensing to maintain. VoIP can come with or without phone hardware, includes a mobile app and/or desktop app for calling, and can be integrated with Teams calling, if desired.
- Unified Communications as a Service(CX) combines calling with video, messaging, presence, and file sharing in one place.
A business that’s mostly phone-based may only need the first one. A distributed team that lives in meetings and chat as much as calls usually needs the second.
The Contract Mistake That Costs You Later
The most common mistake clients make is signing up with a cloud phone system supplier that’s not a fit for the long-term is they will look for quick savings. The problem is, they don’t realize that supplier can’t do texting, doesn’t integrate with their CRM/ERP/EHR, has hidden fees, or terrible support. A system that’s cheap at your current headcount can get expensive or clunky fast once you’re adding locations or remote staff. The same goes for suppliers that charge for implementation, or multi-location deployment without extra cost and hassle. The right system isn’t just about where the business is today; it’s about picking a supplier that can grow with you.
- How do clients know if a supplier is good or not? Only a consultant like TeamKC can know because we get to grade suppliers behind the scenes.
- How do we choose a supplier? We have over 250 UCaaS suppliers to choose from. We will provide multiple bids from high-quality providers we have ample experience with, that we confirm can do the scope of work for the project. TeamKC has completed over 200 HV projects; we have the expertise to manage anything you throw our way!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cloud Phone Systems:
Can we keep our current phone numbers?
Yes. Number porting is a standard part of most voice and UCaaS implementations, managed to keep disruption minimal.
Do we need full CX, or is VoIP enough?
It depends on how much your team relies on video, messaging, and collaboration tools in addition to calling.
What do we do about our copper POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines?
Great question! POTS are being retired at an increased pace; many states are already copper-free. These lines are re-regulated; which means we are seeing copper lines go for $400/month, and suppliers are no longer required to support or maintain them. We have options to support fax, elevator, alarm, and postage meter lines.
Hi, I’m Cynthia, the Owner and Founder of TeamKC Telecom.
I started this company because I believe every business deserves a technology advisor who is genuinely on their side. I’m here to ask the right questions, tell you the truth, and only recommend what actually makes sense for your situation. I offer my advisory at no cost to you because I truly love seeing clients win.
If anything in this article resonated with you, I’d love to have a conversation about your unique setup and how we can take it to the next level.
Let’s connect — schedule a 20-minute meeting today.