In this day and age, technology is changing rapidly every day, always adapting and developing. This can make it hard to keep up to date with the newest hardware and software for your business.
However, there is a way to future-proof your telecoms system. Here is how to implement a telecoms system that will serve your business well for the long haul.
Switch to the cloud
Traditional phone calls are made through a private branch exchange (PBX) receiver and transferred via an analogue public switched telephone network (PSTN). In the UK, these are the physical phone lines which are under your feet and owned by BT.
However, due to the age of these analogue PSTN lines, BT Openreach announced that they would be stopping the PSTN service in 2025. By then, every UK phone line must be digital, routing calls over Internet Protocol (IP).
Sending voice over the internet protocol is otherwise known as VoIP. VoIP systems are cloud-based, meaning that they work through the cloud or the internet. This means that you don’t necessarily need any physical infrastructure, as you can turn any computerized electronic device into a virtual phone.
Unify your communications
Integrating all of your communications software is called “unified communications”. A unified communications package combines various communication tools package – such as instant messaging, voice, audio, video conferencing, data sharing and more – into just one easy-to-use piece of software.
Unified communications services are accessed through an app – which can be downloaded onto your device – or by using a web-based portal. There are many benefits to a cloud-based unified telecoms system, but here are a few reasons why they are future-proof.
-
Easy to expand
As these telecoms are cloud-based, everything can be accessed online. This means that you can move offices with ease if you ever need to expand your business. If your phone tariff needs to reflect this expansion, upgrades can be done easily and instantly to suit your new requirements.
-
Geographically flexible
During the past year, most of us have done at least some work from home, and this is expected to continue into the foreseeable future.
To make sure flexible working can be efficiently achieved if this becomes the new normal, you will be happy to know that cloud-based telecoms are geographically flexible. This means that you can work from wherever in the world with the same ease as being in the office.
-
Automatic updates
There will no longer be any need to keep on top of the newest hardware and the fanciest gadgets. This is because cloud-based telecoms can be automatically updated due to not needing any physical installation. When an update is required, it can be implemented automatically and instantly.
With the unpredictability and unprecedented nature of the world at the moment due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever to make sure that our businesses are disaster-proof. If one thing is for certain, throughout this year, cloud-based telephony and united communications have shown that they can serve your business well for the long haul.