virtual office phone service




Is there such a thing as a virtual office phone service and if so how does it work?

virtual office phone service

Where did all this virtual stuff start

The cloud term started back in 2006 when Amazon introduced the first service in a virtual world. Link

Before that, we had internet email services operating from mid-1980 a form of cloud hosting.

In Australia, cloud services have relied on slow links until the recent launch of a High-speed network called NBN.

The storing of data in the cloud and hosting services such as phone systems really were hamstrung by congested traffic channels for the early years. Now move forward to current days and a major hurdle has been overcome.

The first of the Virtual phone services that were commercially common was Skype. They introduced cheap traffic over thin channels but you could call anywhere for free or very low rates. Off course the voice quality was not always the best but hey it was cheap.

With cheap and broad internet channels it is now easy to transport data and voice seamlessly around the world.

This led to the introduction of a Cloud or hosted phone system.

A carrier would build a large phone system and annexe of parts of the service for a customer.

At your site, you only have handsets that link over the internet to the ONLINE server which seamlessly takes your calls wherever you want.

virtual office phone service

This has a great advantage that you can connect interstate offices and home users under one system.

Is a Virtual office phone service good?

First of all the big saving is in capital costs. Where phone systems lasted for years in days gone by the rate of change is now so quick that early out dating can be experienced. You no longer need that big box on the wall with battery backup and attached accessories that regularly need changing

virtual office phone service

Upgrades are really simple with just adding handsets and services as you want.

Furthermore, the days of calling in the Technical team on breakdown is long gone plus no maintenance contracts are required.

 

Is a virtual office phone system expensive

Generally, a Virtual phone system comes as a complete package. Your service, all your phone calls, handsets. Internet link, maintenance and facilities. There is little or no capital cost and you will find the packages very attractive.

It is my belief that a majority of phone services will be in the cloud within a very short time so it should be considered now.

What happened when it breaks down

The actual service should never break virtual office phone servicedown but like any systems, power failures may interrupt the service and Internet downtime can also be a factor.

If your telephone service is critical there are a few things you can do.

1) Have a spare or separate internet link via a second carrier. If one goes down you simply switch carriers.

2) Broadband mobiles on the 4g network are capable of carrying your traffic in an emergency.

this can be a built-in backup.

3) Have your carrier divert calls to another location in times if disaster. Most tier-one carriers provide this option.

 

 

Conclusion

Finally, the hosted phone service for both small and large businesses is here to stay. The advantages added mean that it should be a consideration for anyone considers an upgrade.

 

virtual office phone service

Peter Hanley

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