Communication is one of the most important aspects of any business. The tools you and your team use to communicate and run everyday operations must be reliable. Otherwise, you could have to halt operations due to downtime. For this reason, business owners have consistently migrated towards cloud–based technology. Most cloud-based phone systems promise to be reliable, but how reliable are they, and how do they achieve it? Read below to find out.
Understanding the Shift: Cloud-Based vs. On-Premises Phone Systems
A cloud-based phone system, sometimes called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or hosted VoIP, operates entirely through the Internet. In this model, the service provider hosts and maintains the phone system infrastructure in their data centers. Users access the system through a web-based interface or dedicated apps, eliminating the need for on-site hardware.
On the other hand, on-premises phone systems, also known as Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems, are physically located within the organization’s premises. This setup involves purchasing and maintaining hardware and software to manage the communication infrastructure. As you may imagine, this complicates flexibility and requires a typical office setting.
The Reliability Factor and Cloud-Based Phone Systems
So, yes! Cloud-based phone systems are more reliable than their on-premises counterparts. In a world where remote, hybrid, and flexible work models dominate cloud-based systems, they have become key tools for teams across all industries. Below, we’ll explore what makes them reliable.
Redundancy and Disaster Recovery
Cloud systems ensure business continuity through redundancy and off-site backup. Redundancy is a crucial feature of cloud-based phone systems that significantly mitigates the risk of downtime. These systems are built with multiple redundancies, meaning that if one component or server fails, another takes over.
Plus, cloud providers often maintain off-site backup in geographically diverse data centers. This approach ensures that data loss is minimized even in the face of unexpected disasters, and the system remains accessible, safeguarding critical communication channels for legal practices.
Scalability
Cloud systems easily adapt to changes in demand, ensuring consistent service. One advantage of cloud-based phone systems is their scalability. With cloud systems, users can effortlessly add or remove lines to accommodate changes. Whether handling a surge of incoming calls or downsizing during quieter periods, cloud systems ensure that communication channels remain responsive and reliable.
Geographic Flexibility
As of 2023, 12.7 percent of full-time employees work from home, while 28.2% work a hybrid model. This new way of business has opened opportunities for teams to find talent worldwide. Or even from one state to another. Cloud-based phone systems break down the limitations of physical location. Teams can access the system from their office, home, or while on the go, as long as they have an internet connection.
On-Premises Systems and The Reliability Challenge
On-premises systems can be an amazing communication tool. However, if reliability is at the forefront of your mind when choosing a phone system, it might not be your best option. Here is where they fall short in terms of reliability:
Single Point of Failure
On-premises systems heavily rely on physical hardware located within the business premises. While these systems can function well under normal circumstances, they introduce a single point of failure. If any critical hardware component malfunctions or breaks down, it can disrupt the entire communication network.
Maintenance Burden
Keeping on-premises systems up and running requires regular maintenance and updates. These tasks, ranging from software patches to hardware replacements, often demand downtime.
Limited Scalability
Due to their fixed infrastructure, on-premises systems can struggle to keep up with business growth. Scaling up typically involves investing in new hardware, configuring the system, and potentially enduring downtime during the transition.
The Migration Trend: Why Businesses are Choosing Cloud-Based Systems
In 2020 alone, 61 percent of businesses migrated their workloads to the cloud. Now, as of 2023, 94 percent of enterprises use cloud services. Explore the reasons behind this migration and speak about its reliability and its necessity in today’s world. The numbers don’t lie; more and more businesses are migrating towards the cloud, and if you’ve made it this far into the blog, you already know why. Their reliability makes them a trustworthy tool that is worth investing in.
Ready to Have a Phone System You Can Trust?
Take the first step towards unlocking unparalleled reliability and efficiency. Let us guide you through transitioning to a cloud-based system that empowers your business for success. Contact NTouchTel.com today and embark on a more connected, efficient, and resilient future.
