Cloud business phone systems are quickly changing the face of small business in Melbourne and Victoria in general. In fact, cloud phone systems, which are often referred to as a Hosted PBX or VoIP based office phone systems, are for small business and SME’s of all stypes and sizes in Melbourne and Victoria – and for that that matter, anywhere in Australia with the Internet.
The NBN roll-out, and the subsequent de-commissioning of the telephone copper network has lead to the obsolescence of traditional analogue phone systems. As a result, cloud-based phone systems continue to be increasingly popular for small business owners in Victoria.
In addition to delivering extraordinary agility and mobility, Cloud business phone systems provide organisations with reliable, cost-effective business applications that require little in-house technical support. see Smartcom Hosted PBX Business Phone System Prices
The exponential growth of cloud-based business phone systems in Melbourne, can largely be attributed to the following;
Firstly, small business owners have little choice but to shift to an IP (Internet Protocol) based phone system as a direct result of the copper network shut-down. In other words, companies need to either upgrade existing phone systems to cater for voice traffic carried over VoIP; or alternatively adopt cloud-based, Hosted PBX applications.
Secondly, the affordability of cloud phone systems, has presented small businesses with the opportunity to gain phone system capabilities that have traditionally only been available to the high-end of town.
Thirdly, the flexibility of cloud-based business VoIP phone systems is simply extraordinary; in that small business owners are able to adopt communications systems that are no longer tied to the office.
Fourthly, in addition to the many advantages of a Hosted PBX phone system, small business owners are also able to cut costs in the following areas;
Fifthly, quality cloud-based, small business phone systems in Australia are regularly upgraded, as is the firmware on the handsets. As a result, the cloud phone systems remain contemporary technology as time goes by.
Sixthly, the work from home capabilities of cloud systems, provide small business with incredible workplace flexibility, with staff able to work from any location, whilst connected to the office phone system.
Lastly, no matter where your business is located in Melbourne, the remote technical support capabilities of cloud phone systems, means that small businesses in Victoria or wherever, are easily supported by technicians without need of being onsite. Instead, technicians can quickly trouble shoot and make changes via remote access.
As result of the above, the small business sector in Melbourne, Victoria is reaping the rewards of quality cloud business phone systems; in that they acquire a greater capacity to gain a competitive edge over rivals.
Moreover, with extra capabilities on hand, businesses are also better positioned to respond to the dynamics of an increasing sophisticated, changing and competitive landscape.
More to the point, Hosted PBX voip phone system for small business can have a dramatic affect on small businesses wanting to build effective operations that have the capacity to adapt to change, and as a result gain;
We’d recommend that the first place to start when deciding on a business phone system, is to review the standard features and how these suit the requirements of your business.
The list below outlines the type of standard features you should expect from a cloud phone system; such as those included in our EasyCloud PBX offering;
More advanced features include;
Cisco Webex Calling and Microsoft Teams are leading the way in the provision of Hosted PBX phone systems that incorporate Unified Communications.
In addition to the standard Hosted PBX functions, Webex Calling and Microsoft Teams include advanced setting such as; video conferencing, video 1:1, collaboration; and unified communications.
Small business can therefore communicate across multiple channels such as; audio, email, instant messaging, presence, document sharing, video 1:1 and video conferencing. Webinars are also a feature of Webex. Importantly, both services can also integrate with Microsoft Office 365.
Drive Performance with highly Efficient Business Communications
Small business owners gain enormously from the mobility and agility of a Hosted PBX.
In addition to the call forwarding and mobile App functions, changes to the phone system can be made from any location with immediacy via a customer portal.
Furthermore, inbound call management via call queuing, call routing, and the Auto Attendant function (Press 1 for Sales, Press 2 for Accounts etc), enables small businesses to efficiently manage calls, as well as present companies in a highly professional manner. 1300 Numbers, can also be configured to the inbound call management functions.
With increased capabilities at your disposal, your business will be able to communicate with customers throughout Victoria, and indeed across Australia in a highly efficient and effective manner.
Scalability & Flexibility
Cloud-based business phone systems have essentially eliminated the need for small business owners to naval gaze phone requirements. Instead, your business can be scaled up or down from one month to the next, and changes to the phone system can also be made ‘on the fly’.
Workforce Agility & Mobility
A Hosted PBX enable small businesses to use the capabilities of the business phone from any location; in the office, at home, subsidiary offices, overseas offices and ‘out on the road’.
Likewise, your workforce can access a cloud-based small business office phone system from any device, such as; IP Handset, Softphone, Mobile Apps, or calls forwarded to your mobile phone.
Staff can also retrieve voicemails from an email inbox, which in particular is widely used for the efficient management of after-hours calls.
Commercial Gains for Melbourne Small Business
Hosted PBX business phone systems present small businesses in Melbourne with compelling reasons to adopt the technology. For instance;
Flexible Price Models & Cost Savings
The good news for small business owners, is that the Opex price models associated with cloud-based office phone systems for small business in Australia can provide companies with a means of efficiently managing the ebbs and flows of running a business. This is particularly important when confronting uncertainty, such as the turbulence of COVID19.
Slash Telco & IT Costs
You’ll able to cut your telco costs with a Hosted PBX phone system that incorporates VoIP as part of the cloud service. Likewise, the support services that come with a cloud business phone system, will more or less eliminate the need for in-house, IT support services – other than LAN related IT ie; PC’s, printers, IT network etc.
Industry directories are often a good place to review Hosted PBX options. For instance, industry body CX Central, has Smartcom Hosted PBX as its first listing in the CX Directory.
Australia based Support Services
Its apparent that the COVID 19 epidemic meant many technology companies with offshore support resources being severely hamstrung as a result of closures to operations in the Philippines and India.
On the other hand, its also evident that Australian tech companies that have developed, and indeed supported their Hosted PBX services in Australia, have more or less been able operate in a business as usual capacity during COVID 19.
What should be taken from the above, is that in selecting a voip phone system for small business, is that a high value should be placed on vendors that have skilled support resources based in Australia, and even better if they are on the Eastern Seaboard.
Secure Communication Platforms
IT security is paramount for vendors of business office phone systems in Australia – with the number one priority being that the cloud infrastructure is located in data centres in Australia, that use only local telecommunication carriers. Above all, the Service Desk should be based in Australia for additional security.
Cloud Phone Systems are the Way-Ahead
In conclusion, the shift to cloud technology has resulted in wide-spread adoption of cloud-based small business phone systems throughout Victoria.
All things considered, small businesses that equip themselves with contemporary communication platforms such as a Hosted PBX, will have the greatest chance of succeeding in a business environment of constant change.
Contact Smartcom for to learn more about Hosted PBX phone systems: Ph: 1300 196 386 or Email: info@smartcombusiness.com
