Your phone system is a vital part of how your business communicates with customers and prospects. Without a reliable, high-quality service, you may encounter issues with audio quality, caller experience, connection rates, and more. So, it’s important to take a moment and evaluate your current phone system and consider if it’s time for an upgrade.
While all phone systems come with at least a few features and functionalities, traditional networks are limited in their capabilities. And this is mostly true for on-premise legacy phone systems. In any case, this is a major drawback for businesses that want to modernize their tech stack for improved efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability.
Each business’ migration and digital transformation process will look different based on its needs. But here’s a general overview of how to upgrade from an on-premise to a cloud phone system:
- Audit Existing Infrastructure and Decide What New Services You Want
First, work with your internal IT team to run a comprehensive audit of equipment, software, devices, users, networks, workstations, and so on. This will help decide what is missing and what can be used for the migration to the cloud.
Then, determine what you need from your new service provider. This is the time to start looking for the best cloud-based phone system provider for your communication needs. You want to find a provider who can support your transition, work with your existing infrastructure, and fit within your budget.
- Consider How You Want to Upgrade
Next, ask about and research the different ways you can upgrade.
In most cases, you simply subscribe to a cloud phone service provider. This could be a cloud phone number provider or a unified communications (UCaaS) provider. They will provide you with integration and login details. You log in to their dashboard or control panel and integrate the service with your existing infrastructure. This includes setting up SIP and call forwarding, configuring VoIP connectivity, etc. Your provider will give you the necessary instructions and steps.
As you prepare to upgrade, you must also consider how much of your business will upgrade. Will it be a complete replacement where all solutions, telephony, and agents are switched over simultaneously? Or, will you switch in parts – some users stay on the legacy system while others switch to the new system? Understanding how downtime will affect your business will help you decide the best way to migrate.
- Find the Right Provider
This is something to keep in mind from the very beginning of planning an upgrade. Consider the different features, services, and transition methods cloud providers offer. Compare all that to their price and your budget. It is a good idea to choose a provider who can provide a long term solution with options to scale and upgrade as your business grows.
Make sure to review testimonials, reviews, and case studies to get a comprehensive picture of how different businesses use each provider’s service. This will give you a glimpse of what to expect if you sign up with them.
Modernizing Your Phone System
As you’ve seen, there are many reasons to upgrade and modernize your phone system. With advanced features, additional functionality, and improved quality, you can communicate with customers in a cost-effective and reliable manner.
Proxima is proud to be Channel Partner for RingCentral (www.ringcentral.com), a leading UCaaS provider with a comprehensive solution portfolio. Reach out to contact@proximabiz.com for your Cloud Phone needs.
