The cloud is the most revolutionary thing to happen to the telecommunications industry since IP-based communications started taking the place of antiquated telephone services. Nowadays, however, the cloud is no longer a trend that we are predicting but rather the new “normal” in consumer services. This phenomenon has given telecom companies an enormous opportunity. The virtualization of telecom network functions will increasingly mean that many services, beyond mere connectivity, will be software-provisioned and operated off standard IT servers. A cloud service provider adding cloud computing to its offered solutions benefits from cost-effective operations and profound changes in various areas.
Hosted PBX and VoIP
Hosted PBX offers low maintenance costs, which, in turn, brings cost efficiency to a company’s communication setup in terms of upkeep, downtime, and repairs often caused by traditional PBX services. The hosted version of PBX and VoIP is run and maintained by a third party, so upkeep of the services no longer become a major concern for businesses. It also operates on a single Internet connection as opposed to an in-house PBX, which requires an extensive setup.
Unified Communications
In the broadest sense, unified communications can encompass all forms of communications that are exchanged via an IP network. For businesses and organizations, a suite of applications that includes real-time communication services, such as instant messaging and video conferencing, as well as non-real-time services such as integrated voicemail and email, can boost productivity and provide the building blocks that will support general operations. Companies can also have a cloud service provider install and deploy applications at a pace that suits their budget and business needs.
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
SIP trunk lines are the online equivalent to lines that come in from the phone company or T1 circuit channels – which means that instead of calls ringing on a traditional cable-connected desk phone, the calls ring on a mobile phone or computer. SIP trunking offers freedom from costly infrastructure and ‘buying for the future’ capital expenditures. Businesses can have a cloud service provider set up what they need today and add more features later as operations expand. Communications are made more efficient through automatic call routing to mobile devices and the return-on-investment is almost instantaneous.
Mobility
The need for businesses to keep their workforce connected and communicating efficiently even when they’re not in the same office space is addressed by cloud-based communications. Through this system, remote employees are granted access to the full feature set from their computers, tablets, or mobile phones regardless of their location. It helps workers increase their productivity and sense of involvement in the company.
API Integration
Many businesses nowadays are offering their own APIs – or Application Programming Interfaces – in order to enable the integration of their services into the programs and applications of developers. A cloud service provider can custom-map APIs to suit a company’s specific account; some of the features could include checking usage data, checking the account balance, paying bills, and changing account features, among others.
Millions of businesses are partnering with cloud service providers and switching over to cloud-based telecommunications for their daily operations. This technology has a lot of room for growth, and the possibilities regarding efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness can improve even further in the coming years.
