Category: Phone Systems

ISDN Switch Off: What You Need to Know

What you need to do before the ISDN Switch Off: 

How can Teleproject UK Help?

• Enhanced reliability as there’s no chance for interruption due to power outages;
• Lower costs by combining voice and data on one network connection;
• Free long-distance service for all customers (excluding special calling features);
• Innovative call management tools with additional caller ID information available through your telephone system provider. This includes displaying an employee’s name before he/she picks up the call and blocking anonymous calls.
• Higher quality sound with less noise and echo;
• These new technologies more reliable as they can’t be hacked like traditional methods like ISDN.
• Cost-effective compared to older systems

Why Business Phone Systems Are Great for Growing Your Business

Some business owners are hesitant to invest in hosted phone systems because they’re unsure how the technology works or if it’s worth the investment. We’ll talk about hosted VoIP solutions and cloud-based services that will help you save your business time and money!

We’ll discuss why hosted phone systems are great for growing your business in this blog post.

In this day and age, the smartest businesses invest in hosted phone systems to optimise their customer service. Businesses with a geographically diverse workforce can have one company number ring on all phones anywhere there’s an internet connection. Business owners report getting more customers and more business as a result of better customer service.

Hosted VoIP solutions and cloud-based services are great for saving time, money and making your life easier! Business phone systems have many features that make them worth the investment, including voicemail to email transcription so you can read messages on any device – even your smartwatch or smartphone.

Business phone systems also offer call recording for compliance needs, voicemail-to-email transcription, enterprise-level security measures including encryption capabilities so your business can be safe from hackers, and much more! Businesses with hosted VoIP solutions save a significant amount of money on long-distance and international calls.

The best way to evaluate whether or not you should invest in a hosted phone system is to see if you’re currently using any of the features mentioned. Businesses that are currently using a traditional phone system should assess the features of hosted VoIP solutions to see if it would be better for their company and figure out what savings could be passed on to their customers!

Businesses using voice mail as an answering service or having employees who work remotely, should decide whether they would be better suited with a hosted VoIP solution. This could save them money on long-distance calls and international rates as well as having other benefits.

If you’re looking for more information about hosting business phone systems, check out this blog post with our business phone experts’ tips.

Business phone systems are great for the health and growth of your business. Businesses with a reliable, hosted VoIP solution with cloud-based voice mail can benefit from it in many ways.

Help you communicate efficiently and effectively with your staff, customers, vendors and partners.

Businesses are now able to integrate the system into their existing workflows to make calls from anywhere in any time zone, this helps them run even more smoothly!

When employees use cloud-based VoIP solutions like Business phone systems, they are typically more productive.

Businesses can have many improvements in customer service experience when employees use cloud-based VoIP solutions because that’s where customers will contact them the most.

Business Phone Systems also help you communicate with your vendors and partners easily and effectively by integrating seamlessly with their existing workflows.

They can also integrate with your CRM easily. Hence, you’re able to track and measure all interactions with vendors, partners, customers and employees in a way that makes it easy for you to focus on important tasks or areas of the business that need more attention.

The systems allow for voicemail, which is crucial when running your business! You can easily set up voice mailboxes for different departments or groups in your company that will then be answered by whoever is required.

How can a business phone system save you money?

Business phone systems help save you money because they are hosted, and a lot of the services that people need on their phones can now be done through cloud computing.

Businesses with Business Phone Systems will not have to worry about spending more money on office space, furniture, utilities, or communications lines. They’ll also know how much they’re spending on their communications costs because Business Phone Systems give you visibility into how much is being spent.

Many businesses save money in energy consumption and server space, which can be a big cost for many businesses operating digitally!

Employees can now get up and move around more while they work because Business Phone Systems make it easy to work remotely from wherever they are.

Businesses can also save money by not having employees travel as much, which is always a big cost for businesses!

They help you communicate with your customers and vendors more effectively so that’s another way in which Business Phone Systems save money.

Businesses struggle with managing their phone systems, usually because they are outdated and incompatible with the current environment. Cloud solutions can save you time by eliminating the need to manage your system or upgrade it regularly. In addition, cloud-based systems will eliminate any downtime that an in-house system would have.

Small and large businesses can be confident that their phone systems will always work and not cause any disruptions in the office or among employees.

If you want to know more about our Business Phone Systems, you can give us a call on 0800 316 8605!

We’d be very happy to discuss your requirements and answer any questions you may have.

Types of Business Telephone Systems

There are several kinds of business telephone systems available for companies and organisations in the United Kingdom. In this article, we will discuss the various types available in the market currently so that you can determine which telephone system is a perfect fit for your business. This article is all you need when seeking to buy a telephone system.

A Private Branch Exchange (PBX) is an example of a private telephone system made up of a range of analogue external telephone lines that users share for incoming and outgoing calls (It can either be SIP or ISDN).

The PBX Telephone System interconnects all phones within an organisation. This type of business telephone system is ideal for companies with over 40+ staff who require an automated phone system. An outstanding PBX feature is an inbuilt power supply that offers continuous power supply even when there is no electricity.

A PBX telephone system can lead to substantial cost savings within a corporation since the PBX uses the same ISDN system (multi-lines). This means that you can have more telephones than required lines, hence cutting down expenses.

A business would be required to buy, install and manage the PBX network from the office. A few years back, analogue technology powered the PBX. Today, PBX systems typically use digital or Internet Protocol (IP) technology.

Basically, the PBX telephone system comprises a telephone trunk with many telephone lines. All the lines will be terminated at the PBX.

Two different types of PBX are currently available:

• The Enterprise PBX telephone system
• The Hosted PBX telephone system

The Hosted Telephone Network System

Since the pandemic hit many organisations and individual businesses are shifting to working from home. Soon, a huge percentage of daily work activities will be done remotely. Because of this, employees need advanced features like the ability to easily transfer massive amounts of data from home to workplace and vice-versa.

These advanced features are very expensive for a localised telephone system; they require ample office space, costly equipment, and a comprehensive cable system.

The host telephone, which is also called the hosting PBX, is one of the new technological revolutions in the telecommunication industry. This system enables small and medium enterprises to enjoy using a sophisticated telephone system without the need to have a physical base telephone unit in an office.

A Hosted PBX’s unique feature is that the entire telephone system resides in the cloud (online), which is often provided by a telecommunication provider. In addition, the telecom service provider operates and manages the telephone system and therefore needs no extra instructions or training.

This telephone system enables people to be linked to one office telephone system whether they’re at home, hotel, mobile, or in a remote location. This means that incoming calls to the headquarters may be transmitted via an extension number as though the staff were in the office. Similarly, the person who works in any part of the world may make calls and still present the main UK phone number to the recipient if the office is located in the UK. This has the key benefit of being able to make international calls at the same rate as a local call.

Advantages of a Hosted Telephone System

Continuity of the business – since the telephone exists in the cloud platform, disruption or downtime will not affect it. A competent service provider will use this approach to ensure efficient service provision in the network. In such cases, natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, fire would not impact your telephone network since the phones can easily be transferred somewhere else and the communication to continue seamlessly.

Easy to scale – most organisations and individual businesses will continue to grow over time. One of the advantages of using a hosted PBX is its provision for many lines or extensions, unlike a conventional telephone system. More so, you can install extra lines, and additional handsets can be installed effortlessly and at no extra cost.

User-friendly design – the hosted telephone system has a simple user interface. There’s no need for professional engineers to come over when you need to make some adjustments, improvements, or add extra lines to the system. Employees can learn how to use this system very quickly and effortlessly.

Minimal maintenance cost – the hosted telephone system comprises affordable hardware and maintenance. This system doesn’t need enormous capital expenditure or ongoing maintenance costs.

Easy to integrate with mobile – this is an important feature for businesses that have staff working remotely. When staff are out of the office, they can still make calls that will present the office number to the recipient. This way, organisations can work remotely with ease and seamless communication since the staff will use the same office number from wherever they are. A hosted telephone system is designed to integrate with the cellphone easily.

Recording on the go – the hosted telephone system comes equipped with a call recording feature for both incoming and outgoing calls. This is a crucial feature for training sessions and customer support services.

Extra Features – unlike traditional telephone system, most hosted telephone system comes equipped with additional free-to-use option. This telephone system can handle voicemail, call divert, call management, standby music, and instant messaging.

Divert Calls – Nowadays, people will reach customers in various forms, whether it’s on a personal or office mobile phone. Using a hosted PBX allows for easier diversion of incoming calls to other devices or phones. This reduced the likelihood of missing a phone call.

High-quality voice – the hosted telephone system offers the users a high-definition voice at a lower cost. Since users can call from any part of the world at the local call rate, this considerably reduces the international call costs.

Enterprise Telephone system (On-premise)

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) has always been at the centre of continuous growth in telecommunication systems. The On-premise telephone system operates using the VOIP methodology.

This telephone system requires analogue cables, ISDN, and broadband circuits at the premise in order to work. However, in recent years, VOIP gained popularity and is now used as an authentic cost-saving option for making a conventional phone call on landlines.

In this system, broadband data lines are used to transmit voice using the conventional internet instead of using physical phone lines.

However, VOIP has many advantages over conventional analog phone lines, which function exactly like a standard telephone line. Nevertheless, there are many advantages of using VOIP over conventional phone lines. This system functions just like an ordinary telephone line.

A modern local telephone system transmits voice via the internet’s data network, where voice packets containing caller information are transmitted through a data network within the data network.

Initially, VOIP was treated as a second option for a conventional phone line due to its poor telecommunication efficiency. However, the quality of VoIP is now possibly similar to that of a normal call. This results from improved telephone systems and internet connection speeds that have now offered preference to voice calls over data.

With rapid internet access in the past decade, more companies started to explore significant cost savings in moving from conventional phone lines to VOIP. As more people, businesses and organisations are getting interested in VOIP, and its affordability, broadband and voice packages have continued dropping. All telecommunication providers are currently offering voice package at a reduced cost compared to a few years back. Thanks to the ability to carry voice cheaply over the internet.

Advantages of VOIP

1. Affordability – the greatest and most significant advantage of the VOIP system is its affordability. The greatest cost saving when making a move is one of the main reasons organisations worldwide use VOIP as opposed to conventional telephone lines.

Businesses and organisations (both small and large) no longer need to think about costly leasing facilities with VOIP. Enterprises like calling centres that make hundreds and sometimes thousands of calls each day both locally and internationally will benefit significantly from implementing VOIP.

2. Extra Features – VOIP can provide a wide range of useful features for an organisation at no extra cost, together with the standard telephone system features. Applications like caller identity, phonebook, texting, voice-to-email, and call recording are among the features that come bundled in a standard VOIP system.

3. Ability to expand – as businesses grow, there will be a need for additional lines and extensions. With a VOIP system, you will not worry about future expansion since you can easily add more devices effortlessly with no need for an additional budget for buying related devices. This also eliminates the extra cost that would be incurred to hire skilled telecommunication personnel to manage the system.

4. Easily movable – One of the greatest advantages of VOIP is that it can be easily moved from one point to the other. With increased access to the internet, VOIP devices can now be linked on the go from anywhere in the world. This means that people can travel about but still use the system, whether at home, at a hotel, on vacation, or airport.

Enterprise telephone systems allow large and small businesses to handle incoming and outgoing calls in a seamless manner. The functionality of the system is substantially different from standard telephone systems. This system must be built in a manner that will allow it to manage several calls at a go. It should also have the ability to transfer calls from one department to the next within the organisation.

The Key System Unit (KSU)

Another important but less talked about telephone system is the Key System Unit (KSU). This is the most basic telephone system that utilises the key system unit. Due to the limits of the number of telephone lines it includes, this telephone system is only suitable for small-to-medium enterprises with no more than 50 employees.

KSU is an easy-to-use device equivalent to the traditional home phone. It packs all the basic features that an organisation would want, yet it is compact and versatile. The key system unit utilises a central switching mechanism to pick the phone line manually.

It comes in different varieties. The KSU-less system is its variation that features a compact and versatile system that doesn’t use a central switch and cables.

However, the major limitation of KSU-less is that it can only support up to 10 operators and is not available for sale on commercial platforms. This type of telephone system has to be requested directly from the telecommunication providers. Either way, KSU-less is suitable for small enterprises that have no plans for future expansion.

Teleproject UK is more than happy to review your business telecommunications systems and requirements and tailor a solution to meet your companies needs, get in touch today!

Ai, cloud computing and machine learning are growing the telecommunications industry, these types of technologies foster collaboration and remote working while improving efficiencies and productivity. In the digital era, telecom services are essential for business success and survival. Enabling effective communication and building flexibility in the workplace allowing companies to extend their reach.

Business Telephone Systems are no longer confined to phone and fax. The industry comprises high-speed internet, video streaming, messaging, mobile payments and many more features. Advancing technologies like 5G and cloud-hosted VoIP, are the catalysts of its growth. From working remotely to travelling and watching TV, the telecom sector is an important part of everyday life.

Recently mentioned in the World Economic Forum telecom technology is the driving power behind digital transformation. People across the world now have access to the latest news, information, products and markets. They facilitate remote working, real-time collaboration, virtual business and social meetings globally.

The “Always on,” era is now here with users under the age of 25 spend over 300 minutes on YouTube, Instagram and other internet platforms. Approximately 48% of adults running a business use social media for customer service. The global rise of shopping online is seemingly unstoppable, along with overall online usage.

 

Telecommunication and its importance

Telecommunications services and the rise of digital has disrupted traditional business models massively. The increasing demand for connectivity is urging businesses to improve their telecommunications infrastructure. Digital change is important for innovative companies, allowing them to keep pace with demand and develop new approaches and solutions.

Telecommunication services and digital communications importance has really become apparent during the current global COVID-19 pandemic. Telecom services enable online learning and communications as well as remote working. Video meetings, email, mobile communications and messaging make social distancing more tolerable and possible. If these digital telecommunications and technologies were not available, most businesses would be forced to stop their operations and trading.

Telecommunications companies are now in the process of utilising artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance their customer service and internet connectivity. Using these companies can identify leads, analyse data and develop better solutions. Some operators use advanced algorithms to assist customers navigation through systems, IoT (Internet of Things) infrastructures are being used to monitor data centres remotely and identify breaches in security.

Telecommunications providers also have immediate and secondary benefits for your business. VoIP, mobile app and other means of communication mean your staff can transfer information in real-time and reach out to new and prospective clients, supporting your business, brand and customer service procedures and strategy. They can decrease operational costs as they are cost-effective, save office space, and improve productivity across all divisions.

 

Improve Collaboration with Business Telephone Systems

Telecommunications can aid collaboration between staff members, teams and departments. Video meetings, mobile phones, messaging and other telecom based services enable staff to brainstorm and share data, and work together on projects worldwide. If used correctly social media and real-time messaging help with collaboration, allowing businesses to build a digital workplace.

VoIP draws together factors like audio, video calling, voice services, email, texting and other solutions. Customers are able to manage conference calls in across the globe, operate virtual meetings and record calls. Compared to traditional phone and internet services, VoIP solutions are more affordable and can integrate with other useful tools.

 

Increase Productivity and Satisfaction of your Employees 

Remote work can’t really operate without business telecommunication systems. As a director, you can provide your team with VoIP services, collaboration tools and software and other services that allow them to work flexibly on the move. Surveys suggest that people experience greater job satisfaction and productivity when working remotely. Another positive aspect is that many businesses find it easier to retain and hire talented employees and other groups that prefer to work with newer tech, communication tools and technology.

Harvard Business Review recently held a survey and assessed working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. They held the survey with on over 600 employees. 50% of them said they could support a 10-hour workday in the first weeks of the national lockdown. Later in the pandemic, they said their workdays were still 10% to 20% longer than before the lockdown began.

The same study showed less stress experienced while working from home, mental focus and efficiency increased by 10%. They said that a greater work-life balance, more time for tasks, and less time wasted in unnecessary meetings were also highlights. Video meetings and other telecoms solutions enabled them to do their work business as normal and helped them move to remote working. Overall job satisfaction and well-being improved, too.

 

Reaching More Customers with Business Telephone Systems

We’ve outlined the benefits of integrating telecommunications equipment into businesses but it goes much more beyond increasing productivity and worker well-being. Leveraging telecom services means organisations can reach their perfect audience with the right message at just the right time. For example, 77% of customers want to receive text messages from brands to find out about the latest deals and news. 30% prefer to receive text messages rather than visit a business’s website, offices, shop or app.

Text messaging can be leveraged along with other services to engage and inform your customers. The open rate for text messages is over 90%, this is a huge contrast to email which only has an open rate of only 20%. 

Targeted text message campaigns can help your business get customers’ attention, increase brand recognition and boost sales. Website links to can also be included in SMS messages to increase traffic and provide more information about your services or goods.

Automation seemed to be one of the buzz words of 2020, when it comes to telecommunications automation can enhance customer service. Examples of these include businesses using AI voice bots to help with their sales, marketing and customer support. Some of these bots can support with making payments, app and website navigation, reporting and other services.

Companies can also use video presentations or conferencing to launch new products, answer consumer questions, and provide useful content. 

Your sales team can now utilise VoIP to carry out live video presentations and explain to potential buyers how to use their services or products. 

We hope you agree that in recent decades telecommunication has really come to the forefront when it comes running, optimising and improving businesses. If you have any questions about how telecoms can help your business please do get in touch.

Teleproject UK is more than happy to review your requirements and tailor a system to meet your business needs, get in touch today.

Today, the majority of organisations depend on business phone systems with a variety of features. The Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems form the central foundation of many such networks. For several years now, PBX systems have been in use by businesses with in-house switching systems, resembling telephone exchange systems, but on a smaller and more private scale. With this provision, a few external lines could be used by many users of the business. Consequently, this is a cost-cutting measure that also serves the purpose of facilitating internal communication.

Several types of PBX are currently available, which includes conventional systems and the more technologically-advanced, virtual exchanges. Primarily, they can be categorised into PBX and IP PBX. 

In this article, we introduce PBX and IP PBX. Their features and advantages are discussed to inform readers about the difference between these business telephone systems and how appropriate telecom systems can be found.

PBX

A few incoming phone lines are connected to a relatively higher number of extensions by a PBX, combining the individual handsets to form one whole network. A PBX permits several extensions to operate seamlessly through separate lines and performs an array of tasks to optimise the business phone network.  

For instance, a few of the incoming calls are mechanically routed to specific extensions that suit the client’s requirements. Moreover, with the PBX, it is also possible to connect handsets and external lines, permitting employees to make calls external to the system. It also establishes a direct connection of individual handsets to facilitate internal calls that do not go through the external telephone network.

The tasks mentioned are some of PBX’s essential functions, which have been performed since the inception of these systems; these can be traced back to the mid-20th century. With time, there has been advancement in telephone technology, which is also reflected in PBX systems. One such significant change is the development of the IP PBX.

IP PBX Business Phone Systems

Modern forms of communication, such as Skype, are facilitated by Voice over IP or VoIP technology. This technology has transformed the operation of business communications. 

Typically, Modern PBX systems’ designs work well with both VoIP and traditional telecommunications, and such technology is referred to as an IP PBX system. But the features of an IP PBX are not defined strictly. Essentially, it includes an array of VoIP-ready system types. In such a system, a piece of hardware is positioned on the organisation’s premises and resembles a server.  

Sometimes, the term may also be used to refer to a holistic telephone network of a business, which is equipped with a VoIP component. It could also refer to a virtual PBX, which also deals with VoIP communications. Generally, it functions as a software system within a computer system that is connected to the phone network of the organisation or service based on the cloud, which works similarly, but an external provider hosts it. 

It is possible to convert the conventional PBX systems and enable them to handle VoIP communications and their other designated communications. This is achieved in two ways. Firstly, the installation of VoIP-capable modules into the current system. In some cases, a separate module is used, which functions as an intermediary element between VoIP communications and conventional PBX communications, to translate one technology’s communications to the other. 

Which Organisations Need PBX?

For several years, companies considered a PBX system to be costly, and it was also challenging to maintain. Therefore, bigger businesses often leveraged this useful technology since it was cost-effective only when used on a large-scale. For the benefit of smaller companies, alternative systems that could be operated manually and on a smaller scale were established.  

However, with time, the quality of PBX systems improved, while their price declined. This process gained traction with the development of new types of systems that functioned as a virtual PBX. Therefore, even relatively small businesses now leverage PBX technology. PBX’s primary functions are useful for any business that has more than a handful of employees. Today, since the system and its maintenance is more affordable, it is logical for smaller companies to use it, as long as they have an adequate number of employees.

Moreover, businesses that possess old systems are now motivated to upgrade the ones they have due to the technology’s enhancement. As opposed to upgrading their current system to handle VoIP, companies are opting for modern IP PBX. Thus, apart from enjoying VoIP functionality, they can now use an array of absent features in their previous installation. In many cases, this shift also enables them to work with a low-maintenance system that is cost-effective when compared to their previous setup.  

Things to Take into Consideration When Choosing a PBX Business Phone Systems.

Companies must look at several key points before they select a PBX solution. The aim is to find one that aligns with their business needs and to determine the features that they must invest in, such as:

Capacity: 

This is a fundamental consideration since any PBX is only equipped to handle a specific number of extensions as well as simultaneous phone calls. The objective is to ensure that the PBX you choose has adequate capacity in both these quarters to ensure your business’s seamless operation. 

VoIP Protocols: 

Several protocols are open source as well as proprietary, used by VoIP communications. The most common protocol is SIP, which is an open-source protocol. Hence, it is recommended to ensure that an IP PBX is compatible with SIP and is also equipped to deal with a few other protocols too.

On-Site or Hosted Solution: 

The initial costs of on-site solutions are slightly higher, and businesses may need to deal with periodic maintenance independently. On the other hand, the initial costs of hosted solutions are lower, and the service provider will handle the system’s maintenance. However, recurring costs will also be higher. Therefore, it is vital to determine what best fits your business requirements. 

Security Systems: 

If PBX is used in tandem with VoIP calling, the requirements are very specific, resulting in security systems issues, as their designs are not compatible with such needs. To avoid problems, it is necessary to opt for firewalls compatible with VoIP and SIP. Ideally, look for a PBX with an in-built firewall. 

 

Interactive Voice Response (IVR): 

In some PBX systems, IVR functionality is an added bonus, which comes with an automated greeting system to immediately respond to incoming calls with a pre-recorded message and includes several extensions and navigation alternatives. 

About Virtual and Hosted Telecoms Solutions

Since the 1990s, Virtual PBX officially became a part of the marketplace, and it works like a conventional PBX. The main difference between the two systems is that the former is a computerised, software-based system and does not function as dedicated hardware. There are currently three types of PBX that function as software: virtual PBX, hosted PBX, and cloud PBX.

Although there are minor differences between these systems, these names have been used interchangeably for years now. Hence, determining if there is a significant difference between them is challenging. In essence, they are all referred to in association with similar solutions. 

The company that launched the first real virtual PBX is known as Virtual PBX. Back then, the service was comparable to a hosted PBX. Since it was the first of its kind, it operated with several limitations, even in comparison to conventional PBX systems that were developed over a long period. It was only equipped to forward calls to the relevant handsets, both on-site and off-site.

Eventually, technological advancement brought about VoIP technology, and VoIP systems were equipped to remain connected with conventional phone networks. During this time, most virtual PBX providers were equipped to incorporate a Business Phone Systems to deal with outbound calls. During this period, “Hosted PBX” was established. Eventually, the term “cloud” began to take off in the tech world, and it was ultimately used even for PBX services rooted in cloud-based technology.

Commonly, these three phrases are used interchangeably. However, do note that the name in itself does not determine the features or functionalities offered by a provider. Instead, it is crucial to skim through the features to acquaint yourself with the technology and differentiate between various services. 

On-site and Off-site PBX: Crucial Decision

One important choice to make while opting for a PBX solution is to determine if an on-site system or one that is off-site works better for your company. Both these alternatives come with their own set of pros and cons. A few key considerations are:  

Expenses: 

The initial factor that you must consider is the cost. As stated already, on-site PBX systems’ initial costs are higher, but they decline soon after. On the other hand, hosted solutions are inexpensive to set up in the majority of cases. However, recurring costs are higher due to the monthly service charges.  

Features: 

In some ways, on-site solutions are more flexible as it is relatively easy to configure such technology, and they fit well with offices using Wide Area Networks (WANs). But, it is challenging to draw a comparison between the features of these two systems. Since there are many providers for both types of solutions, the features vary significantly for each system. You must ensure that the solution that you choose offers every feature that you require.  

Maintenance: 

Your business is responsible for maintaining an on-site system continuously. For this, you either need skilled employees to achieve this, or you have to use external services. On the other hand, your service provider will work to maintain your off-site solution, and the attributed costs are added to your subscription fees. In a few cases, such as during reconfiguration, your business will need to undertake maintenance duties.  

Traditional Phones or VoIP Business Phone Systems: 

Usually, hosted solutions are geared more towards VoIP communication, more so in comparison to conventional, analogue telephony. Typically, analogue handsets can be easily integrated with on-site solutions. Regardless of the kind of PBX you choose, the system will handle both communication types. However, if you largely depend on either conventional phones or VoIP, it is essential to consider the same.  

Security Considerations: 

A modern PBX system is always connected to the internet, regardless of where it is situated. Therefore, such systems do come with security vulnerabilities. To avoid service-attacks or theft or otherwise, a firewall is crucial, configuring the firewall in a way that does not interfere with VoIP is challenging. When you opt for a hosted solution, security problems are no longer your concern as your provider handles them. However, you must still ensure that the data connections remain secure. On the other hand, with an in-house PBX, the entire burden of maintaining safety is on you.

Do you have a question about business telephone systems? 

Teleproject UK is more than happy to discuss your requirements and tailor a system to meet your needs.

Schedule a callback, we’d love to help and advise.

A hosted telephone system means your communications are operating in the cloud, instead of in your physical office. It is perfect for remote workers, micro, small and larger businesses and organisations also ideal for client assistance divisions and call centres.

Some of the benefits are: 

• No upfront costs are incurred for equipment.
• Highly flexible communications systems ready for the future
• Total control for smart internet devices

Hosted telephone systems use cloud-based technology which eliminates the requirement for expensive equipment on location and simple or ISDN phone lines from telephone suppliers. Putting it simply a business telephone system is connected via the internet and the telephone framework turns into some software instead of physical equipment. 

The cloud location is also known as Hosted PBX (Private Branch Exchange) and can be received through rented/leased (private lines assigned to your business). It gives an adaptable, dependable and practical approach to deal with your communications and once installed can be intelligently controlled, and extra features can be added to suit your business requirements. 

With this set-up, Teleproject Uk will house the Hosted PBX and handle the tech and any maintenance of the framework if any is required. 

To compare: a conventional telephone system requires you to have it housed within the physical office and is connected to an ISDN line. When calls come into the office call, every individual member of staff requires a physical desk phone. With hosted communications, the call can be taken on a ‘softphone’, a phone on your desk or mobile application. 

As many businesses know, BT will switch off and retire all ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) services in 2025. We believe hosted communication is the best and most future proof option as it uses Data Connections to receive calls. 

So, how do hosted telephone systems work? 

Hosted communications use a similar LAN network as office internet does and connects to the internet provider (IP)

Hosted comms send information securely and safely via the internet through a dedicated connection for your business.

For calls that come into the business, the phone will establish a connection to the internet provider (IP) network, then over to the remote host. The dialled number will get quickly connected and sent through to the appropriate office, department or individual within the business.

The system needs a private connection and an appropriate bandwidth to work well. When we say ‘bandwidth’ this refers to the rate or speed at which data is sent across an IP network. When hosted systems or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions are installed, the bandwidth can be measured and upgraded (if required) to achieve the best performance for the hosted telephone system.

These systems can be accessed via dedicated handsets connected to the internet and offer a range of enhanced features. These internet handsets or virtual phones are recommended and chosen before installation, at which point complete training can be arranged.

Once ready and setup, a business can manage international communications across multiple sites through a simple interface.

There has never been a more opportune time to use cloud-based phone systems than now. Think about it: most of the world is in lockdown or quarantine, and more and more people are looking to work remotely to practice social distancing. 

A cloud-based phone system works almost anywhere around the globe, and it even comes with incredibly helpful features for boosting your sales. Before we get to the advantages of this kind of business phone system, let’s discuss how a cloud-based phone system works. 

The Basics 

Cloud-based phone systems use voice over internet protocol (VoIP). VoIP functions just like normal phone lines, except that analogue phone signals are converted into digital signals via an analogue terminal adapter or standalone ethernet hard phones. 

With a reasonable internet connection, you’ll be able to connect to other people anywhere around the world. VoIP is widely used in both the business and consumer space because it is easy to use and often included in free and premium telecommunications applications. 

If you’ve ever used Skype, Facebook Messenger, or any other mobile app that allows free calls and video chats for personal use, then you’ve already used VoIP. While cloud-based phone systems also use VoIP, they are more geared towards businesses whose operations may not be confined under a single location. 

Here are three advantages of using cloud-based phone systems:

1. Allows true remote working

This technology is widely used in the business process outsourcing industry as a cost-effective means of connecting customers to customer support staff, wherever they may be around the world. Cloud-based phone systems often have an auto attendant feature, which you can use to transfer calls to team members working remotely. 

An auto attendant is usually a voice recording that will instruct callers to press a button to be connected to the appropriate department. Auto attendants can also be configured to answer simple questions and process simple transactions, leaving the more complex requests for a live attendant. 

2. Improves data gathering

Because cloud-based phone systems are digital services, they can easily be integrated into Customer-Relationship Manager (CRM) software. It allows you to log and monitor calls, giving you access to information that can be used to understand and improve sales performance without the hassle and unreliability of manual data entry. 

Users of cloud-based phone systems usually have built-in call history recording, which makes extracting reports and other important data easy. For example, managers will have access to important metrics, such as the average call sessions, the number of calls received, and the number of calls made, among others. The wealth of information extracted can be used to zoom in on the finer details of the user experience and find ways to fine-tune and improve performance.

3. Is cost-effective

Cloud-based phone services are cost-effective, as it will allow virtually unlimited inbound and outbound calls without you worrying about bandwidth. Because companies don’t even need to maintain their own systems (as in the case of hosted telephone systems), they will only need to pay a fixed amount in subscription fees. Prices will generally be fixed as long as they are within agreed-upon terms. 

Conclusion 

Cloud-based phone systems are effective tools for businesses, especially now that a lot of companies are integrating remote work in their setup. If you’re still thinking about whether to use it, keep in mind the benefits we’ve outlined above.

Teleproject is a provider of cloud-based business phone systems. Get in touch with us today to know more about our services and how we can help you! 

6 Common Cloud Phone System Myths Debunked

Cloud technology has provided businesses today the means to run more efficient operations. The technology has been incorporated into various businesses, and one of its most popular applications is the use of business phone systems. 

These systems play a crucial role in many enterprises, regardless of the industry they’re in. After all, having a reliable phone system to address clients’ needs and conduct business transactions is what separates good service from the bad. 

However, there are still cloud computing “non-believers” due to some common misconceptions. We’ll debunk six of them in this article.

1. It’s Expensive

Many believe that cloud phone systems are expensive due to the technology involved to make it work. That’s where they’re wrong. There are a lot of companies today that offer affordable packages for business phone systems today. Moreover, with more efficiency and better communication, you get to save your company more money in the long run. 

2. It’s Not Secure

A cloud phone system is more secure than traditional telephones. It can curb any security leaks in your network. Moreover, since hacking is widely spread these days, you get additional security measures in your internal network by using a cloud phone system for business. A lot of service providers also offer fraud protection that will protect a company against potential financial losses. 

3. It’s Not Portable

Many think that the phone used for the system can only be used where it is placed. However, a business phone system will let you retain the same number wherever you are. That way, you will easily be reachable by your clients no matter where you are located. It works similarly to plug-and-play, and since it’s in the cloud, you don’t need to worry about losing data while you move from one place to another. 

4. It’s Less Reliable

There are still some people who rely on the good ol’ analogue phone. For them, it’s more reliable because they can touch it, but when it comes to a reliable connection, a cloud phone system is a more reliable alternative. However, a business phone system requires a secure internet connection to work, and if you think about it, who doesn’t have internet these days, anyway? 

5. It Has Poor Quality

Since a cloud phone system relies on the Internet to work, many believe that it produces poor quality. The phone system itself, though, delivers HD sound quality to ensure clear and effective communication. 

6. Small Businesses Can’t Benefit From It

Another common misconception is that the use of cloud phone systems is only meant for big companies, and small enterprises are better off using a traditional phone system. Today, there is a considerable need for the use of phone systems in the cloud to manage their existing clients better and prepare for potential customers. With a cloud phone system, you gain scalability in your current and future plans as it lets your business remain competitive in the ever-changing economy. 

Conclusion

These are the most common misconceptions surrounding cloud phone systems today, but most of them are misinformed. The technology has already established its roots, and it is now globally recognised for its many benefits. Cloud computing is making our lives so much easier these days, which is why moving your business to the cloud is the most logical choice.

Get your business phone system today here at TeleProject. We have phone systems that can be configured to suit the needs of your company. Contact our team in the UK today. 

Digital tools are the key to improving modern business’s productivity. Different industries are taking advantage of the development of custom software to help them in organising their data and managing their service provider to client interactions. This is why cloud telephony has become a popular solution for businesses ranging from international corporations to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Digital tools that improve business processes

Today, many people are using cloud-based telecom system to interact and collaborate with each other. Offices can make use of Google’s various digital tools that can be created and edited in real-time with several contributors through the internet.

Know that cloud-based solutions don’t just allow file editing and data storage. Variations of the same structure can be applied to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone systems that make use of the same concept in receiving phone calls and texts from customers.

Cloud-based telephony systems

Adapting to new software for your business operations can be a challenging obstacle. Yet, once you’re familiar with the benefits of the platform, you’ll see that your difficulties will be a steady investment for the future. 

Listed below are several advantages that cloud telecom systems can provide for your business.

• Easy to install: Cloud-based systems offer different benefits to your business ranging from lesser logistical costs to greater overall data management. All you need to do is secure a subscription package that allows you to have limited users connected through your broadband connection.
• Cost-effective: Cloud telephony is the perfect solution to be used with office telephone systems. The flexibility of cloud telephony allows you to add and remove devices with ease without asking an IT technician to deal with server access. You can also upgrade your subscription package to include additional handsets and VoIP licenses as your business grows, so you don’t have to rush into a more expensive plan right away.
• Mobile compatibility: For remote workers, the accessibility of working outside the conventional office setting is negotiable through VoIP systems. With modern laptops and smartphones being equipped with higher processing power, all they need is a working Internet connection to log-in to your business’s cloud. This gives you and your staff the option to work from home while still contributing to the office’s workflow.
• Off-site servers: Cloud telephony systems will not require you to purchase several pieces of hardware. With its accessibility, you can manage your business’ operations even when working with fewer devices. Cloud technology makes up for the need to install bulky local service in your office’s system. Since the communication between servers is made through an off-site digital connection, all you need to handle incoming and outgoing calls are several VoIP phones to use.

Cloud-systems overthrowing ISDN networks

Analogue telecom systems, such as ISDN phone lines, will soon become outdated as BT will soon stop its support in favour of committing to VoIP systems that are much easier to handle. With over 1.9 million UK businesses that still use an ISDN network, it’s a testament to how long its legacy has stood to support companies, both large and small. These enterprises are recommended to switch their phone lines to a cloud-telephony solution by tapping into their broadband connection before ISDN phone lines are dropped from 2020 onwards.

Conclusion

The key to embracing the modern trends of technological advances is to adapt to the needs of the times. Although BT will still hold on to ISDN phone networks until 2025, you’ll no longer be able to purchase systems that use PSTN and ISDN networks after 2020 to help various industries to adjust to cloud systems.

At Teleproject, we provide reliable installation of cloud-based business phone systems in the UK for small business and large enterprises. Get in touch with us today!

Every company needs a sound business phone system set in place. Whether for communicating internally or externally, with colleagues or customers, it should be able to satisfy your business communication needs.

There are various types of business phone systems available in the market. They can be sorted into two basic categories—traditional on-premise and cloud-based phone systems. While the first requires a physical setup and installation, the need for on-site hardware and IT support, the latter appears to be a more viable option.

Why? Here are the six advantages of a cloud-based phone system you ought to consider for your business. 

 

1. Full communications system

What’s great about a cloud-based phone system is that it is a fully-integrated phone system, using software applications and minimal hardware. Apps operating in the cloud are easy to deploy, allowing employees to stay connected and communicate with various stakeholders. With its seamless access to minimal tools, it can ensure business productivity and overall efficiency.

 

2. Advanced phone features

Another good reason to set up a cloud-based phone system is its advanced phone features. With this in place, you can utilise CRM tools, email, instant messaging, voice, and videoconferencing for communication. You also take advantage of features, such as Virtual Assistant, Auto Attendant, Never Miss a Call, or Call Center solutions. All these will give you a stable connection and effective communication.

 

3. Communication control

When it comes to a business phone system, you want a communication tool where you can gain full control. A cloud-operated phone system allows business owners or managers to regulate the use of communication. Likewise, employees can customise their phone settings to have access via a smartphone, desk phone, or softphone.

 

4. Ease of use and application

With the advent of today’s technology, we need a business phone system with tools and features that are easy to use and operate. The beauty of a cloud-based phone system is that it’s pretty straightforward to set up and operate daily. The features and applications are user-friendly that employees can explore on their own without the need for training.

 

5. Scalability and flexibility

A business must grow and evolve over time. Even your phone system needs to be upgraded to cater to the needs of your stakeholders. What’s good about a cloud-based system is that it can be scaled up to meet your business’s needs. It is highly flexible that can be customised based on what your business requires.

 

6. Cost-efficiency

Switching to a cloud-based telephone system may require a modest investment in hardware if you plan on using desk phones rather than softphone applications. However, it can help you save up over time, given its overall efficiency and productivity. Also, repairs and replacement aren’t an issue. In the end, it’s worth the investment in your business.

 

Conclusion

Given the changing business landscape and the need for a robust technology, a cloud-based phone system can be your best option. As outlined above, you can take advantage of its full communications system, advanced phone features, communication control, ease of use and application, scalability and flexibility, and cost-efficiency.

We provide cloud-based business phone systems in the UK. If you’re looking for telecommunication system solutions, get in touch with us to see how we can help!