Replacing Your Phone System with Unified Communications

The ongoing debate about replacing existing phone systems with unified communications continues. In fact, this topic continues to hound several businesses in multiple industries. While there are countless benefits of UC in the workplace – why should companies consider switching over when their current systems are delivering? To understand the importance of streamlined and centralized communications, clients must first assess their specific needs – especially when it comes to catering Millennial needs in the digital age.

While Millennials continue to invade the market, desk phones are rapidly becoming obsolete. Even with traditional phone systems becoming extinct, however, these new arrivals are mere employees and should not dictate IT and management communication protocols. After all, these figureheads determine:

• Company budgeting and overall business communications platforms.
• Business policies –rules – guidelines – and overall directives.
• BYOD plans – device allocation – hardware systems and software apps.

Even with these crucial aspects in mind, there are certain scenarios that are right for replacing existing phone systems. This goes for systems that are currently achieving all desired results. If deciding on switching over to unified communications for business, always keep the following in mind.

Legacy Systems

Many businesses continue to utilize legacy telephony in domestic and remote capacities. While there is nothing wrong with traditional business phones – their features simply pale in comparison to more advanced UC systems. For companies that have researched the benefits of UC and are ready to make the change, the following is important:

• It is easier for companies to migrate first from legacy to VoIP.
• Once comfortable with VoIP features and compatibility, businesses can then integrate UC across the board.
• UC integration over common networks secures streamlined and centralized communications across multiple departments.

The Benefits of UC as Opposed to Standalone Solutions

While legacy telephony is basically a commodity service, UC can truly determine how businesses get things done. This includes client communications and fulfillment, along with file and document sharing. UC also connects parties with real-time audio and video – that guarantees crisp and clear communications across the board. Even if old systems are operating at peak performance rates, they will soon become a liability in this fast-paced business environment.

Scaling Down

Scaling down to IP phone is less common – but does play a role in transitioning to complete UC platforms. Even for businesses that have adopted VoIP technologies, many have also stayed with PBX systems. They seem to adore the countless features and unparalleled quality that PBX offers – even at costly rates. The difference for some companies, however, is that they opted for IP PBX systems, which are comparatively lower in price than legacy PBX.

While IP PBX has been on the market for numerous years, more businesses are opting for VoIP than ever before. The main reasons for this current and burgeoning trend are:

• Transitioning to cost-effective cloud and UC platforms for new and existing companies.
• Virtualization of business communication protocols enables more control and better features.
• Software-based telephony is more reliable and cost-efficient than traditional and bulkier hardware systems.

With unified communications, businesses are able to generate more leads and revenue. They can also establish a comprehensive and cohesive communications platform that benefits all clients and staff – no matter where they are in the world.