Cloud Based Virtual Phone Systems
Cloud technology has significantly impacted modern business operations, and it is being increasingly pursued by SMBs because of the many benefits it can provide to smaller firms. A recent TechNavio report predicted that global public cloud adoption by small and medium-sized business will grow at a compound annual rate of 24.6 percent through 2016. The increasing popularity of software as a service with SMBs is one of the key factors contributing to this trend. In addition, there was also an observed increase in popularity of public cloud services with micro-SMBs, which is loosely defined as the smallest size of businesses considered as its own segment in the enterprise.
The increase in adoption, demand and overall popularity helps to demonstrate the added value that smaller companies receive from cloud based tools and services. In a recent CloudTweaks article, contributor Rick Blaisdell explained how the cloud provides extra value for small business.
“Especially for small businesses, the cloud environment brings the most valuable benefits,” Blaisdell wrote. “The physical infrastructure deployment and maintenance, the need for specialized IT staff and the expensive software updates are just some of the aspects small businesses would not worry about if they would switch to cloud based applications. Cloud computing offers small businesses the great opportunities to reduce their costs, increase agility and focus on their operations. Productivity applications such as email, documents, communication and collaboration are business-critical. Moving them to the cloud environment requires serious consideration of provider capabilities. A cloud computing vendor must provide reliable and secure services.”
Blaisdell cited a recent Spiceworks survey, which showed that 62 percent of SMB respondents use at least one type of cloud application, with a majority using the cloud for file sharing. File sharing allows employees to collaborate on a particular project that requires access to corporate data or tools. As Blaisdell explained, email was one of the first tools that migrated to the cloud, mainly due to the simplicity of setting up and using cloud email services.
Cloud Based Virtual Phone System Migration
In another recent CloudTweaks article, Blaisdell reported how cloud based VoIP provides practically unlimited opportunities for businesses of any size. According to Jim Butler, director of global channel sales for Digium, cloud based VoIP benefits will likely continue influencing SMBs’ communication decisions and technology investments for the remainder of 2013.
One area that almost all companies see as an integral part of regular operations is their business phone system, and all companies – large and small – can easily upgrade their voice solutions to take advantage of a cloud based business phone system. AccessDirect’s hosted PBX system not only allows SMBs to cut significant costs, but this service was also crafted with the specific goal of assisting small businesses with presenting a consistent, enhanced professional image.
With a hosted PBX system from AccessDirect, SMBs can observe discernable improvements in staff productivity and customer service. Installation is also easy as server equipment is hosted in cloud rather than on-premise, which also reduces administrative costs. SMBs can also enjoy the high level of scalability that cloud based VoIP solutions provide, meaning that phone services can be adjusted alongside an evolving small business. Ask us about our new cloud based business phone system today!
