Cloud-based
Phone System

A cloud-based phone system or cloud phone is a phone service that enables you to make calls over the Internet. In contrast, a traditional analog phone uses copper wires or optical wires to make a connection. Cloud phones are hosted in one or several offsite secure data centers.

Voice-over-Internet-Protocol or VoIP is a broad term that represents many Internet-based services. Increasingly, VoIP services are often rebranded as cloud phone systems.

The “cloud” is simply a way to describe how a VoIP company’s servers interact with one another. Many early VoIP solutions were hosted solutions whereby many current offerings are maintained online.

Cloud-phone systems enable you to work anywhere with a working Internet connection.  Some cloud-based phone services offer free phone apps that allow you to work from wherever you like. You can extension dial your time, call public switched telephone networks (landlines), and use phone presence that tells you when your coworkers are occupied with calls, all without setting foot into the office.

No, you will not have to dial a 9 to make a call outside. Actually, if your current phone system is requiring you to dial 9 before making a call that is contrary to current laws. As of February 16th, 2020, Kari’s Law requires all phone systems to not have to dial a 9 before making a call. This is specific to 911. Because of this law, if your current phone system requires a 9 in order for you to dial out, it actually needs to be reprogrammed or completely switched out right away. When calling 911, not only does the operator need to know where to send help, but, the operator also needs to know exactly where that person is located on the premise of a large business or campus. Some companies have multiple addresses or in the case of schools have multiple officers are classrooms. Knowing just the address isn't sufficient information anymore.

Actually, our VoIP or Cloud phone systems are designed to be easy to use. A tremendous amount of research and development has gone into what users like and what users are comfortable learning. Is there some training needed? Of course, there is. Anytime you have brand-new technology they'll be training involved but I can assure you it is our goal to make this as smooth a transition as possible. We would say the main change in using VoIP is the Park feature versus the Hold feature. In VOIP or cloud phone systems, when you park a call that allows everybody on the phone system to see who is on the park button. The park feature allows other users on the phone system to pick up the call. When you push the Hold button, that is going to allow you to keep the customer for yourself. In other words, no one else on any other phone will be able to pick up your call while it is on hold.