Types of Virtual Phone Systems
Are you thinking about switching to a virtual telephone system? You are not the only one. Many businesses, regardless of size, are shifting away from traditional systems in favor of more efficient and cost-effective options. The virtual numbers are less costly, more flexible, easier to manage and control, and don’t have the same constraints as traditional systems. There are many virtual service providers available now that there is more demand. Although this post is not meant to be too in-depth, it will provide you with a quick overview of the three main types and some tips to help you find the right virtual system for your business.
Cloud-Hosted PBX System
This is the most advanced type of virtual telephone system available right now. This type has many benefits. This type of service is not VoIP. However, some providers offer a combination of cloud-based PBX and traditional VoIP technology. We’ll discuss these in the next section.
Cloud-hosted PBX systems don’t rely upon your local Internet connection because they aren’t VoIP. You will only need Internet (cellular or wifi) when you log in to your online control panel to make changes. This is unlikely, as you’ll have everything set up the way you want. Cloud-hosted is a general term. This service doesn’t require you to have a specific phone. This service works with any phone that is connected to an active phone line. This type does not require any new equipment. It offers all the benefits and features of traditional office phones, but without the headaches and high costs of installation.
VoIP-Based Virtual System
This is the most used virtual phone system and the one most regretted. VoIP technology has been around since the 1990s and has been used by many businesses. It has been the best option for several decades. Those who continue to use it are either unaware of the alternatives, such as cloud-hosted PBX.
VoIP systems are a great option for businesses because they’re reliable, but there’s a catch. Your office must have an extremely strong Internet connection for VoIP systems to work reliably. There are now services that offer virtual systems and VoIP. VoIP-based virtual systems, unlike the virtual PBX described in the previous section, can be managed via the Cloud but still require an Internet connection. This can cause problems for several reasons. Number one, it can affect your connection and call quality if you don’t have enough bandwidth or your ISP has a slow Internet connection. This means that you will likely need a dedicated Internet connection for your phones as well as additional hardware.
App-Based Virtual Providers
These service providers are the most affordable and basic type of virtual system and are plentiful. Because of their low cost, there is lots of competition for the app-based service. It may be fine if you only need basic phone service for making calls and not much else to run your business. It cannot grow with your business. These apps can only be used with your phone and your cell phone. These services don’t usually have the features that you need such as call menus or holding queues. There are often problems with customer support and service. Customers complain about poor customer service and difficulty getting through to people using these phone apps. As your business grows, you will be required to upgrade to a true phone system. This may not be the best option.…