Five Immediate Reasons You Should Move to Cloud

Is your organization exploring a move to cloud-based communications? If not, maybe you should be. A recent study by Cavell Group states that the U.S. cloud communications market is set to grow to over 64 million users by the end of 2025. It also forecasts "over 50 million users will migrate from legacy PBX to cloud communications solutions by the end of 2026." 

But what does that mean in the real world? How could adopting a cloud solution help your business? 

From cost-savings to redundancy (a good thing in the world of cloud) to security, here are five immediate reasons you should move to cloud: 

Cloud Solutions Unify Your Communications Technology 

Let's face it, communication silos are frustrating. Your company is one entity, shouldn't the way you work together be unified as well? 

A cloud solution offers high flexibility where and when needed because the platform is accessible from any device, anywhere there is an internet connection, giving all employees access to the same tools regardless of location. Furthermore, collaboration is much easier with voice, messaging, video, meetings, and texting accessible to everyone from one system.  

In today's harried business climate, cutting down on utilizing multiple applications goes a long way, minimizing stress and removing roadblocks to streamlined interactions. 

Enhanced Communication Means Higher Satisfaction for Everyone

With less stress and fewer barriers comes enhanced communication and efficiency across your organization. This leads to higher satisfaction for management, staff, and customers involved due to the following: 

• Better Customer Service: Cloud communications leads to improved team collaboration, which trickles down to better service for your customers, who reap the rewards of happier, more efficient staff, plain and simple.

• Accurate Real-Time Metrics: Analytics inform managers in real-time to help them decide on scheduling optimization, employee skillset, training opportunities, and more, producing a cycle of productivity where everyone is utilized to the best of their abilities, again flowing to your customer's ultimate satisfaction.  

• Improved Employee Morale and Retention: Employees who have the proper tools to do their jobs are happier, more efficient, and more productive. They're more likely to feel supported and less likely to experience job-related burnout, thus, leading to a feeling of satisfaction with their companies and jobs.   

• Instant Accessibility: Cloud communications make it easy to gain accessibility to real-time solutions, whether through resource-based materials or SMEs who are available with the touch of a button. 

Cloud Communications is Highly Reliable and Secure 

Reliability and security are enormous benefits of moving to cloud, and they go hand-in-hand.  

For example, redundancy is not typically thought of positively, but when it comes to cloud telecommunications, being redundant is a good thing! Phone lines may not function in a natural disaster; there needs to be a reliable backup. With the cloud, there are redundancies built in through data centers. If a center were to fail, the system automatically reroutes to another facility, ensuring dependable uptime. 

In addition to being reliable, cloud solutions are highly secure. Data breaches are less likely when everything is on one platform. And the leading Gartner Magic Quadrant vendors offer exceptional security through encryption and various security checkpoints that exceed specific industry standards for HIPPA, FERPA, AICPA, and more. Plus, the provider automatically installs security updates, ensuring your platform is always current. 

Cloud Solutions Are Easier to Maintain

In both administration and maintenance, a cloud system is easier to maintain. 

For one, it doesn't require full-time administrative management from IT, so your IT department is free to focus its energies where they are most needed. In many companies, designated management takes over the simple admin duties without burdening IT staff since most tasks—assigning phone numbers and adding or deleting users— are performed easily with a click of a button from the dashboard of your platform app.  

Another reason cloud solutions are easier to maintain is that there is no hardware to house or repair. Aside from the space issues (freeing up real estate that could be dedicated to other business objectives), the fact that copper-wired POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines are becoming less and less popular poses a challenge when things go wrong. Like the VCR, who will repair them, and due to rarity, how much more will they charge to do so? 

Cloud Communications Saves Your Business Money

Plus, the recent change in the deregulation of copper lines has hiked up POTS line pricing for many businesses. That alone could amount to significant savings with a move to the cloud.  

Here are some more ways cloud communication solutions save your business money: 

• Low Upkeep: As mentioned above, one of the best things about cloud platforms is that the upkeep you deal with from a legacy PBX system is not an issue: no hardware to house or maintain, no security or feature updates. Your vendor takes care of that for you, saving you money and administration headaches.  

• Streamlined Solution: One platform means your company will see financial savings from cutting out a pieced-together solution with many phone services and features, from shedding unnecessary third-party apps to streamlined billing.  

• Reduced Churn: Employee retention is a big issue; businesses with high turnover spend more to replace their talent. When employees have the right tools to do their jobs to the best of their ability, studies show they are more engaged, satisfied, and less likely to leave their position. 

But does all this mean cloud is right for your business? To answer that question, we recommend working with an expert in the field. A trusted communications partner (such as us!) can assess your current technology, then make recommendations on how best to serve your organizational needs now and in the future.  

After narrowing down vendor platforms, a good partner will even set up customized demos (saving you time and possibly adopting a technology that doesn't fit your goals), plus plan your migration, train your staff, and support you after your move. 

Are you interested in seeing how cloud communications can benefit your organization? Contact us for a consultation.