Although cloud solutions like hosted PBX offer innumerable benefits to small and medium-sized businesses, companies may still be reticent to turn to the cloud because of misguided fears about security and control. However, by turning away from physical office phones to a trusted virtual office phone system provider like AccessDirect, these concerns can be easily quashed.
On Premise Contract Concerns
One of the remaining issues companies have about switching from legacy on premise solutions providers to cloud-based systems related to legacy contracts, CIO Journal reported. Even though cloud offerings are typically far more cost effective than the alternative, many businesses have come to see these previous agreements as the only way the organization can ensure its chosen solution is successful. As a result, many organizations are reticent to tear up these old contracts and use a new solutions provider.
“If the solution isn’t better, faster or cheaper than what I have organically, it’s not an attractive alternative other than risk transference,” said Scott Blanchette, CIO of hospital operator Vanguard Health Systems, according to CIO Journal.
On Premise vs Off Premise Solutions
However, when it comes to hosted PBX versus on premise solutions, businesses may actually be doing more harm than good by not utilizing cloud-based communications. PC World reported that not only do virtual PBX implementations eliminate the need for companies to maintain in-house equipment, but these cloud-based solutions are also reliable and more flexible. Combine these benefits with the price part of the equation, and the value proposition of hosted PBX versus landlines becomes a no-brainer for SMBs.
“A virtual PBX arrangement, in which a telephony system is provided through an Internet download and then managed by an outside service, offers a low-cost and easy-to-set-up means for a business to use VoIP services,” PC World said. “Such a system can assist companies and solo entrepreneurs in creating a more professional image that lets them grow their businesses more quickly.”
