Tag: Hosted Phone Systems

Hosted Vs. Premise Phone Systems

Karl de Vera

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

  1. TCO – total cost of ownershinecmonitor356web
  2. Network Assessments and Service Level Agreements
  3. Call quality and reliability
  4. Obsolescence and scalability
  5. Flexibility and remote access

Like all technology these days, communications is moving to the cloud. Just as you can choose hosted enterprise “software as a service” (SaaS), telecommunications providers are now offering full business communications systems that are web based, or hosted. 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, premise solutions (where the entire system is based physically in your office) 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 might benefit from using a hosted solutions.

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), where employees can use their own mobile devices on your business system by simply installing an app. 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.

nec-conference-611But if you are a small single location office, this type of flexibility and scalability is unnecessary. In this case, a more standard premise based solution may be appropriate. A business should not let the excitement of moving with the newest technology trend outweigh a thorough review of the costs and benefits. Also, modern premise systems come with many of the same options as hosted systems.

Always consult with a reliable, trustworthy expert in the communications field. SoundTel will be happy to answer any questions you have about hosted vs. premise and which is right for your business. For 30 years, we have assisted companies like yours in their every communications need. We are a local, family-owned business invested in our community. Contact SoundTel or call 425.481.5493 or 800.797.3663 to learn more.

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.

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.

Hosted vs. Premise Based Business Communication Solutions

Karl de Vera

Too often, initial cost is the most important factor when choosing a communications solution that is best for your company. You should also consider the following when comparing Hosted vs. Premise Based solution for your business.

• Functionality
• Local and long distance tolls
• Maintenance Contracts
• Technical and Administrative Staff Costs

In past years, Premise Based Solutions have been optimal because of low TCO and the higher level of perceived security due to the communications solution being onsite. Today there is a move towards hosted communications solutions because of the low, upfront cost. However, consider these facts when deciding on your communications solution.

Hosted:
• Improvements and Upgrades to your system are performed by the provider according to their schedule, not yours.
• Research your provider and consider their viability as a company to insure they will be around for the long haul. The provider may have you sign a multi-year contract.

Premise:
• Improvements and Upgrades to your system can be performed by your onsite IT staff or via a maintenance contract from your provider.
• The systems are purchased up front or leased and the customer has full ownership of all the hardware.

HOSTED PREMISE
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) High Low
Equipment Ownership No Yes
Monthly Telephone Line Fees Yes Yes
Control of / Access to Equipment No Yes
Technical and Administrative Staff Needed No Yes
Ease of Scalability Moderate Moderate

 

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