Tag: cloud based communications

Find out if your next phone system should be Cloud Based

Karl de Vera

SoundTel can help you decide on Cloud Based Communication vs. On-Premise Solutions

When we began this series of blogs, we started with a question: When choosing a communications solution that is best for your business, do you go with a tried and true on-site business system, or should you consider the latest communications technology and move to the cloud? We offered a checklist to help you make an effective decision on which system is best for your business:

  1. TCO – total cost of ownership
  2. Network Assessments and Service Level Agreements
  3. Call quality and reliability
  4. Obsolescence and scalability
  5. Flexibility and remote access

Throughout SoundTel’s series of blogs on cloud based communications systems, we compared these five considerations and more. Our first blog covered Total Cost of Ownership. We noted that like all technology these days, communications is moving to the cloud in the form of enterprise software as a service (SaaS). We noted the obvious advantages such as scalability, flexibility, ability to use a wide variety of devices from anywhere 24/7. But we also pointed out that there are other considerations including cost, both initial and over time, reliability and security.

Our next blog focused on an assessment of your businesses’ local area network (LAN) and a thorough understanding of what your provider is offering in terms of a service level agreement (SLA). We discussed how a careful analysis can determine if a cloud based communications system is even possible for your business, while a poor analysis can leave you with an underperforming network and/or force costly upgrades. Adding voice to a LAN requires a network capable of handling this additional traffic without degradation of call quality. Make sure you have a service agreement from your provider outlining assurances of sound quality, uninterrupted service and other guarantees.

The third blog in the series covered call quality and reliability issues for your communication system. Any reliable provider should be able to answer basic questions about call quality and their ability to deliver it, including the phone carrier they work with, how good their data center is, what kind of connection speed they will provide and who will install the equipment and train your employees. In terms of reliability, the provider should offer a solid Service Level Agreement (SLA) that offers the industry standard Five 9s Reliability: 99.999% reliability.

Our forth blog discussed obsolescence and scalability issues. One advantage of cloud based systems is that they are mostly software, which can easily be updated to avoid obsolescence. But make sure you know beforehand who is responsible for the costs of periodic updates: you or the provider. Another big advantage of a cloud based system is the ease of scalability. You purchase only the devices you need for your size business, and in many cases, employees will be using their own smart devices. Be aware of any cost involved with your provider for future changes, though. They will probably charge to scale up your system, and may even charge to downsize.

The final blog was on flexibility and remote access. We showed that cloud systems are inherently flexible since it is based mostly in software rather than hardware. But hardware based systems are not standing still, with many offering similar flexibility to the cloud, while providing, in some cases, superior hardware and software. Remote access through a cloud system was one of its first recognized benefits, allowing employees to work from any branch office, home or even a coffee shop, using a single desk number and still having caller idea, voice mail and more. New on-premise systems are adding many of the same features, blurring the lines between cloud and on site systems.

Now is a great time to update your current phones, either to the cloud or to a modern on site total communication system. Contact Soundtel now for a free CheckIn to assure your system is doing all it can for your business. Click the button on the SoundTel homepage, call 1-800-797-3663 or 425-481-5493, or email SoundTel for a free, comprehensive communications analysis.

Flexibility and Remote Access Issues for Cloud Based Phone Systems

Karl de Vera

Should Your Next Phone System Be Cloud Based?

The fourth installment of our blog series on cloud phone systems, Obsolescence and Scalability Issues for Cloud Based Phone Systems, covered the advantages of an internet based communication system in preventing early obsolescence and the ease of scaling a cloud system vs. an on premise system. Because a large part of any cloud based system is simply software, it is upgraded on a regular basis like any computer program or operating system, which gives a distinct advantage over some or most on site, hardware based system. However, some providers do charge for upgrades even of software, so be sure to understand their contractual commitment upfront. Again with scalability, a cloud system is built on software that is much more cost efficient to scale than hardware. Also, you can usually add devices one at a time, rather than having to buy an entire on premise system from the start. Be sure you understand any costs you may be responsible for, both for expansion and downsizing; some providers charge for both.

Flexibility

The nature of the ‘cloud’ allows any cloud based VoIP telephone system much greater flexibility than a traditional, on site system. Many businesses now rely on employees bringing their own smart devices which will work on a cloud system with a simple application. And because it is not centralized, your workers are not constrained by a physical business location.

Hardware based systems are not standing still, though. To compete with the rapid expansion of cloud based systems, business based systems have been improving rapidly. Now many offer similar flexibility to the cloud, while providing, in some cases, superior hardware and software. Plus, your telephones and other peripherals will be part of system designed from the start to work together, rather than pieced together and/or employee owned and connected only through apps that don’t necessarily work the same on all brands of device. In fact, with many new digital terminals, you can run applications just like on a smart phone while maintaining the integrity of an integrated system. The lines are also blurring between with two systems, with some on premise systems allowing for a combination of some VoIP and some traditional systems, based on your business needs.

Remote Access

Because all your data is stored in ‘the cloud’ rather than at your business, it can be accessed from almost anywhere you have web access. This makes a cloud based system ideal for any business with offices spread across many cities or states, as well as any company with a traveling sales force. It allows you to communicate with customers and partners from anywhere, sharing ideas, documents and even videos in real time. You can work from any branch office, home or even a coffee shop, using a single your desk number and still having caller idea, voice mail and more. But don’t count on premise systems out. As mentioned before, they are rapidly adding features to stay up to date, including very comparable remote access features.

Before you make an investment in a cloud based communications system, be sure your network is ready to handle the speed and quality required for voice communications. And before you commit to a service provider, be sure you understand their SLA and all other costs you will incur for growing or downsizing your system. Always consult with a reliable, trustworthy expert in the communications field. SoundTel will be pleased to answer any questions you may have and can help you decide if moving to the cloud is the right decision for your business. Call 1-800-797-3663 or 425-481-5493 for a free communications analysis.

Obsolescence and Scalability Issues for Cloud Based Phone Systems

Karl de Vera

Should Your Next Phone System Be Cloud Based?

In the third blog of this series, Call Quality and reliability issues for Cloud based systems, we discussed the importance of call quality when switching to a cloud based system. This included making sure your network is capable of handling the demands of an internet VoIP system to avoid dropped or degraded calls. We also covered what your provider should offer in terms of quality assurance, with a list of five factors that could affect your communications system. Reliability issues were covered, including the importance of a service level agreement (SLA) that provides “Five 9s Reliability”: 99.999% performance with multiple geographically dispersed redundant data centers to eliminate single points of failure.

Obsolescence

One of the major advantages of a cloud based system is that a significant part of it is software. This allows for regular performance upgrades at much lower cost than upgrading physical equipment. Be sure you are aware of your carrier’s policy on software upgrades, though. Many companies provide free upgrades as they improve their software over time and add new features to attract new customers, but some may charge an annual fee or even a per-upgrade fee. Make sure you know your potential providers policy in advance.

Equipment is also an obsolescence consideration, but another advantage of a cloud service is that it allows employees to use their own devices, such as smart phones and tablets, which they tend to regularly upgrade on their own. A downside is that you own, rather than lease, office hardware so when your desk telephones or computers become obsolete, you are responsible for purchasing new equipment. As we covered in our second blog, Is your network ready for Voice over Internet Protocol? making sure your current phones, computers and network are capable of handling a new VoIP System will mitigate much of this issue.

Scalability

Another big advantage of a cloud based system is the ease of scalability. When you first move to a cloud system, you only purchase what you need for your business, and as mentioned before, you are always using the latest updated technology at that point. As you grow, you can simply add the peripheral devices you need. But remember, most service providers do charge a fee for installation or set up of new devices when you do expand. They may also charge for the opposite: if you need to downsize. As we continue to emphasize, always be sure you are conscious of what charges you will be responsible for if anything changes in the size and scope of your business or network, and not just on the growth side.

Before you make an investment in a cloud based communications system, be sure your network is ready to handle the speed and quality required for voice communications. And before you commit to a service provider, be sure you understand their SLA and all other costs you will incur for growing or downsizing your system. Always consult with a reliable, trustworthy expert in the communications field. SoundTel will be pleased to answer any questions you may have and can help you decide if moving to the cloud is the right decision for your business. Call 1-800-797-3663 or 425-481-5493 for a free communications analysis.

Our next (and final in this series) blog on cloud based systems will cover Flexibility and Remote Access.

Call Quality and Reliability Issues for Cloud Based Phone Systems

Karl de Vera

Should Your Next Phone System Be Cloud Based – Part 3

In our second blog, Is your network ready for Voice over Internet Protocol we looked at what checks you could do to make sure your business could easily and efficiently move to a cloud based communication system. First, a full network assessment was recommended to assure that your current computer network could handle the particular needs of sending voice over a traditional internet system. We also recommended a careful look at any cloud based system provider’s service level agreements before you enter into any contract to guarantee you will receive the service you were promised and your business needs.

Call Quality for Cloud based systems

From the beginning to the end, you need to make sure the system you select is reliable and secure. You have made sure your local network can handle the demands of VoiP, but can your provider do the same? As we discussed in our last blog, there are five major factors that can seriously affect the success of a Cloud based system:

  1. Carrier (what phone carrier will be providing service and what are their SLAs)
  2. Data Center (where are they, who runs them, how reliable are they)
  3. Unified Communications Level (will this be a simple phone system or a fully unified communications system)
  4. Delivery (what kind of connection will the service be delivered over: guaranteed call quality requires more expensive connections)
  5. User (who will install the equipment, what kind of training will be provided, who will you call if there is a problem?)

Any trustworthy service provider can clearly and confidently answer these five questions. And don’t just take a salesperson’s word for it, ask for it in writing. Chances are you won’t see him again after the sale and he will be working somewhere else before your contract is over.

Reliability Issues for Cloud based systems

Naturally your phone system must be secure and reliable, cloud based or not. A provider should have multiple, redundant data centers to eliminate points of failure when networks slow or servers fail. One way many do this is with what is called a Five 9s Reliability – SLA Guarantee. Built to five nines reliability is simply a way of saying they guaranteed their service to 99.999% reliability. This is an industry standard and should be part of any SLA from a reputable dealer.

Continuous high availability and disaster recovery is essential to a modern unified communications system where you are using a variety of methods of communication that must be available 24/7 and must keep your documents, emails and records safe and easily accessible. Virtualization, redundancy and data replication using open, standards-based and secure methods that feature the latest encryption and security protocols is critical to accomplishing this at 99.999% reliability.

One way to assess the quality of your provider is to ask if they use FedRamp (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) Certification. This certification meets the stringent security requirements of the US Department of Defense and specific industry compliance requirements.

Before you make an investment in a cloud based communications system, be sure your network is ready to handle the speed and quality required for voice communications. And before you commit to a service provider, be sure you understand their SLA and all that it entails. Always consult with a reliable, trustworthy expert in the communications field. SoundTel will be pleased to answer any questions you may have and can help you decide if moving to the cloud is the right decision for your business. Call 1-800-797-3663 or 425-481-5493 for a free communications analysis.

Our next blog will cover Obsolescence and scalability of a cloud based system

Should your next phone system be Cloud Based: Part 2

Karl de Vera

Is your network ready for Voice over Internet Protocol?

In the first blog post in this series, Cloud Based Communication vs. On-Premise Solutions, we provided an overview of cloud vs. on-premise communications systems and discussed the first of five major considerations before investing in a cloud based network: total cost of ownership (TCO). These included the size and number of locations of your business, if your employees used their own devices and more. Be sure to check out the first post at the link above.

Network Assessments and Service Level Agreements

Your next consideration should be an assessment of your local area network (LAN) and a thorough understanding of what your provider is offering in terms of a service level agreement (SLA). A careful analysis can determine if a cloud based communications system is even possible. A poor analysis can leave you with an under-performing network and/or force costly upgrades.

Network Assessments

When you add voice to your LAN, it’s important to know your network is capable of handling this additional traffic without degradation of call quality. Everyone is used to the call quality a standard circuit-switched telephone connection offers to deliver clear voice. This quality can only be accomplished over the internet if it meets the unique requirements for on-time voice traffic, which are much different than that needed for moving data alone.

Quality of service (QOS) or traffic prioritization, available bandwidth, low latency and no packet loss are all required for regular voice service to work correctly and to be delivered effectively through the cloud. With data traffic, the network quality can vary without interrupting your work, as long as it is generally fast enough (for example, the difference between old dial-up service and modern high speed internet). With voice traffic, it must move linearly, rather than in separate packets, and must arrive through the internet complete and in real time. Any loss or delay of voice packets can be very unsettling and disruptive, with pauses, gaps, missing syllables and even missing words, resulting in unacceptable call quality, and in worse case, disconnections. A network assessment will test and measure important performance criteria to determine if your network is ready for voice over the internet (VoIP) and provide valuable diagnostic information if upgrades are needed.

Service Level Agreements

Next you need to know what guarantee the provider you are considering will offer you. You should know up front exactly what level of support is included in your contract. Check if they assure sound quality, uninterrupted service or if they have any kind of guarantees in writing. Find out what they will do if the sound quality is poor or any of the problems above happen. Finally, what will they do for you if their system is down and you lose service (and potential customers).

Here is a checklist of five levels of service to consider. Be sure to ask any potential provider for full details on these:

  1. Carrier (what phone carrier will be providing service and what are their SLAs)
  2. Data Center (where are they, who runs them, how reliable are they)
  3. Unified Communications Level (will this be a simple phone system or a fully unified communications system)
  4. Delivery (what kind of connection will the service be delivered over: guaranteed call quality requires more expensive connections)
  5. User (who will install the equipment, what kind of training will be provided, who will you call if there is a problem?)

Before you make an investment in a cloud based communications system, be sure your network is ready to handle the speed and quality required for voice communications. And before you commit to a service provider, be sure you understand their SLA and all that it entails. Always consult with a reliable, trustworthy expert in the communications field. SoundTel will be pleased to answer any questions you may have and can help you decide if moving to the cloud is the right decision for your business. Call 1-800-797-3663 or 425-481-5493 for a free communications analysis.

Our next blog will cover call quality and reliability of a cloud based system.

Should your next phone system be Cloud Based?

Karl de Vera

Cloud Based Communication vs. On-Premise Solutions

When choosing a communications solution that is best for your business, do you go with a tried and true traditional on-your-business-site system, or should you consider the latest communications technology and move to the cloud? As with all business decision, you need to weigh the costs and benefits of all options. Consider the following when comparing traditional on site vs. cloud based solutions for your business:

  1. TCO – total cost of ownership
  2. Network Assessments and Service Level Agreements
  3. Call quality and reliability
  4. Obsolescence and scalability
  5. Flexibility and remote access

SoundTel will post a series of blogs on the subject of cloud based communications systems comparing these five considerations, and more, in the following weeks. Be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed or follow us on social media so you don’t miss any.

Like all technology these days, communications is moving to the cloud. Just as you can choose enterprise software as a service (SaaS), telecommunications providers are now offering PPI solicitors that are web based. The advantages are obvious: scalability, flexibility, ability to use a wide variety of devices from anywhere 24/7. But there are other considerations: cost, both initial and over time, reliability and security.

In the past, on-premise solutions were often chosen because of low TCO and high levels of security since the communications system was onsite. Cloud based communications solutions offer low upfront cost, greater flexibility and low maintenance costs. Of course every business is different, and TCO depends greatly on the size and number of locations of a business. A business with a few very large sites may end up with lower TCO staying with on premise solutions, while a business with many small sites would benefit using cloud base solutions. Such a solution may be seen in distributed antenna system installation companies – call Us!.

If you have a large, spread out employee base with  a wide variety of needs and mobile devices, the cloud based solutions can save you a significant amount of money by allowing BYOD: Bring Your Own Device (how, why). Using the cloud, you are not bound to any specific brand or even certain standards, since there are apps available to connect virtually any communication device imaginable, now or in the future. It also allows for one number access no matter where or what device an employee is currently using.

But if you are a small single location office, this type of flexibility and scalability is unnecessary. A business should not let the excitement of moving with the newest technology trend to outweigh a thorough review of the costs and benefits. Always consult with a reliable, trustworthy expert in the communications field. SoundTel will be pleased to answer any questions you may have and can help you decide if moving to the cloud is the right decision for your business. Call 1-800-797-3663 or 425-481-5493 for a free communications analysis.