The menu of cloud phone features feels endless, highly technical and cumbersome to read. This overview is different. It quickly distills everything a business owner looking into cloud phones needs to know before they switch from a traditional office phone to a cloud-based solution.
What are Cloud Phones?
Cloud phones use the internet and voice over IP (VoIP) for phone calls. Since it’s in the cloud, you don’t worry about maintaining a server. Your only physical devices are those used by you and your team to connect.
There’s overlap between traditional and cloud phone features
Cloud phones retain all the capabilities of traditional phones like:
- 911 emergency calling
- Auto attendant
- Call forwarding and transfer
- Call queues
- Caller ID
- International plans
- Long distance plans
- Port or transfer your current number
- Voicemail
- Wait music
Plus, Teams’ phone system is a no-brainer
You’d never consider self-hosting email because Outlook is part of your Microsoft 365 suite. The same logic applies to your phone system.
You’re already halfway to a cloud phone solution
Microsoft 365 includes Teams. When you add a calling plan, you can replace your office phone. Buying a separate solution adds complexity and costs.
You won’t sacrifice anything when you switch
Depending on your unified communications solution, you’ll even gain capabilities that give your business an edge.
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10 Business-Enabling Cloud Phone Features
1. Make or take calls using any device you want
Want to take a call from your tablet? You can do it will a cloud phone system. The same goes for your computer. Of course, you could use a desk or mobile phone. too.
2. Money-saving opportunities pop up everywhere
Again, Microsoft 365 users already have Teams. Adding the calling plan consolidates vendors and prevents you from paying twice for a phone system. That isn’t the only way you can find ways to save with a cloud phone.
Say hello to:
- Pay-as-you-go pricing
- Only adding lines for employees who make external calls
- Affordable domestic and international plans
Say goodbye to:
- Costly equipment
- Reimbursing employees for their home office phones
- Expensive long-distance or international plans
3. Enriched team meetings
You aren’t limited to just a phone call on a system like Teams. Instead of dialing into a conference call where no one is really paying attention, bring everyone together on a video chat. Then, use the breakout room feature so people can brainstorm or work through problems in small group settings. At the end, you call everyone back to the main meeting room to discuss.
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4. Eliminate miscommunications
Raise your hand if you’ve experienced a scenario like this while working remotely.
You call up a colleague to talk through an issue. You describe what you see on your screen. They have no clue what you’re talking about.
Cloud phone features bring clarity to every call
You call your colleague in Teams and share your screen. They immediately see your problem and offer a solution.
5. Painless set up
Forget tangled wires and bulky desktop phones. To take a Teams call from your computer or smartphone, you just need to download the app and log in.
6. Quickly add or drop numbers
Like anything in the cloud, your phone system can be scaled up or down whenever you want. You’ll simply call up the tech department or managed IT provider and ask them to add or drop a line.
7. Security goes on autopilot
Switching to cloud phones is an opportunity for you to strengthen your cybersecurity without having to do anything. Cyber protections are deeply ingrained in every facet of Microsoft Teams. If you have Advanced Threat Protection, this can be enabled for Teams, further enhancing your cybercrime-fighting capabilities.
Wherever your team goes, they’ll communicate safely and securely.
20 ways to accomplish more and spend less in the cloud
8. Work-from-anywhere becomes easier
The office is wherever your employees are. With a cloud-based phone system, it won’t matter if they’re in a cabin in the woods or a bustling city high-rise. All they need is an internet connection and they’ll be accessible to clients, coworkers and business partners.
9. Employees can set boundaries
Working anywhere is a blessing. Working anytime is a curse. Combat the always-on culture and encourage employees to set boundaries. Let them turn on cloud phone features that silence non-emergency calls and messages so they can focus or relax.
10. Centralization streamlines your workday
Traditional desk phones are a single solution. Cloud phones are part of unified communication platforms that bring together every app and program you need to be productive.
Calling represents about 5% what’s included in Teams
Here’s a fraction of what else you can do:
- Host video conferences and webinars
- Create, edit and share documents
- Integrate any of the 700+ third-party apps
- Chat with coworkers, clients and third-party partners
- Schedule meetings
- Manage projects
Boost Your Business with Cloud Phone Features Today
Using cloud phones is easy. Getting there requires a strategic, expertly managed plan. Nortec’s experts have deployed Microsoft communication tools to thousands of businesses – including our own. We can answer any questions you have about licensing, set up or change management. All you have to do is call.