5 Key Benefits of Hosted PBX

Does your business make use of a hosted PBX system yet? 

We say “yet” because the benefits of using a hosted PBX are considerable and growing exponentially as technology advances. It’s not a case of ‘if’ – rather, ‘when.’

If you’re still on the fence about upgrading your traditional PBX, if your team are likely to stay on as remote workers, or if you’re opening a new office – here is what you need to know when weighing up your options. 

Hosted PBX vs Traditional PBX

For those who aren’t yet 100% clear on the differences between tradition public branch exchange (PBX) systems, and hosted PBX, here’s a short recap:

• Traditional business PBX systems 
  • require a physical copper line into a brick-and-mortar business
  • require considerable hardware, wiring, and handsets
  • require regular maintenance and upgrades
  • are subject to downtime from poorly maintained telecom infrastructure
• Hosted PBX systems
  • are hosted in the cloud so require no bulky and costly equipment
  • are secure and scalable 
  • enjoy the same features as a traditional system, and more
  • are not subject to weather conditions, copper theft, or poor maintenance
  • can be used anywhere in the world where there is some form of internet connection

That is the nutshell version. You can probably already see the benefits of a hosted system, but let’s run through them anyway.

Benefits of a Hosted PBX

You can probably already see the benefits of a hosted system, but let’s run through them anyway. While we do, see how these apply to your business.

      1. Reduced Initial Outlay

Before the advent of hosted PBX, businesses needed a physical phone system wired into their office. This equipment was not cheap. Start-ups, especially, had a tough time trying to balance the essential requirements of a PBX to service their staff’s needs alongside the massive capital outlay. 

Add to this the fact that most suppliers would insist on a lengthy contract, so smaller businesses were wrapped up tightly in small print and high overheads before they’ve even started the month.

Hosted PBX (thankfully) comes with a significantly reduced capital cost. There is no bulky equipment to install and maintain, no requirement to run wiring and cables into dozens of phones, and installation is super-fast. 

 

      2. Scalable

Are you moving offices? Do you plan to open another branch? Are your team all working remotely now and you just need a small satellite office? 

Hosted PBX allows for these changes to your business. We understand that no company is static and there will always be the ebb and flow of change. 

Adding on new users requires a little configuration and perhaps a couple of VoIP handsets. Scaling down is just as simple and connecting to a remote team member is seamless. 

      3. Reliable 

We don’t have to look too far to understand the difficulties both businesses and residential customers experience with our beleaguered landline system here in SA. Those that have the option to move away from the millstone of copper lines are doing so in droves. 

Fibre is rolling out quickly and is one of the cheapest and fastest connectivity solutions available right now. However, LTE and other mobile services including 5G, while they may a little more costly, are preferable to no phone line at all. 

Mobile communication is not subject to cable theft or poorly maintained infrastructure. A good connectivity partner will also ensure that you have a failover system in place, just in case. 

      4. Lower Maintenance Costs

It stands to reason that less technical telephone equipment equals less maintenance. 

These contracts offer an always-on solution, up-to-date security, and remote maintenance. Basically, hosted PBX is the closest you can get to a plug-n-play business phone system.

      5. Feature Rich

Anything your traditional PBX can do, hosted can do better.

Features include user-friendly dashboards to monitor your team, cheaper calls, free calls between connected branches, VoIP calls to any laptop or mobile device, call recording, voice to email transcription, auto-attendant… you get the picture.

We’ll Meet You in the Cloud

It may take a little while to get your head around something new and different to what you’re used to, we get that. 

However, the benefits of hosted PBX speak for themselves. If you need a little help unpacking it as it applies to your business, or if you would like to get a quote from us here at Huge Connect, please get in touch.

Let’s connect!