Embracing cloud telephony: Unlocking new horizons for SME businesses
In recent years, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have witnessed a shift in the accessibility of cloud technology. Once considered a luxury reserved for large organisations, cloud services, including cloud telephony, have become increasingly affordable and readily available to SMEs. This newfound accessibility has shattered the cost barrier that previously hindered their adoption, opening a world of opportunities and benefits for these businesses.
Breaking down the cost barrier
Traditionally, deploying sophisticated telephony systems required significant upfront investments in hardware, software, maintenance, and ongoing operational costs. This cost burden placed cloud telephony solutions out of reach for many SMEs with limited budgets. However, advances in technology and the rise of cloud computing have revolutionised this landscape.
Cloud telephony allows SMEs to access robust communication services without the need for substantial capital expenditure. The shift towards a subscription-based model enables businesses to pay for the services they need on a monthly or annual basis, eliminating the need for significant upfront costs. This pay-as-you-go approach empowers SMEs to choose from a range of affordable plans that align with their requirements and scale their telephony systems as their business grows.
This TechTalk episode sees Andy Rawll, Head of UK Product Marketing at 8x8 and Nick Dutton, Director at Call Plan Solutions, discuss how this new found cloud accessibility has shattered the cost barrier that previously hindered their adoption, opening a world of opportunities and benefits for SME businesses.
Features and benefits of cloud telephony
Scalability: Businesses can easily adjust their communication infrastructure based on their needs. Whether it's adding or removing phone lines, integrating new features, or expanding to new locations, the flexibility of cloud telephony ensures SMEs can quickly adapt and grow without limitations.
Enhanced mobility: Employees can access their business phone system from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling remote work, flexible office setups, and seamless collaboration across multiple locations. This mobility fosters productivity, supports remote teams, and enhances customer service by ensuring uninterrupted communication.
Cost efficiency: There is no significant upfront investment or costly upgrades. The responsibility of managing and maintaining the telephony infrastructure lies with the service provider, which reduces the financial burden. Additionally, the economies of scale achieved by cloud telephony providers enable cost-efficient solutions that cater specifically to the needs of smaller businesses.
Advanced features: Cloud telephony empowers SMEs to streamline their communication processes and improve customer experience. These features include call forwarding, interactive voice response (IVR) systems, call analytics, voicemail-to-email transcription, call routing, and integration with customer relationship management (CRM) systems. SMEs can enhance their professionalism, optimise call handling, and gather valuable insights into customer interactions.
Reliability and disaster recovery: Robust and redundant infrastructure ensures high reliability and uptime. There’s no need to worry about local power outages, hardware failures, or natural disasters impacting communication channels. Having a comprehensive disaster recovery plan in place, safeguards business continuity and reduces potential downtime.
SMEs can now leverage cloud telephony to level the playing field, compete with larger enterprises, and provide exceptional customer experiences. As the barriers to entry continue to diminish, SMEs are poised to unlock new horizons and thrive in an increasingly interconnected and digital business landscape.
Contact us today to learn more about your options and start your move to the cloud.