If you’re thinking of moving your communications to the Cloud, you may be wondering what kind of financial commitment you will need to make.
Let’s take a look at whether your small business should be using the Cloud, and what financial commitment you can expect to make if you do?
Advantages of the Cloud
Whatever your small business is, the Cloud offers plenty of advantages.
They include:
- Flexibility – the Cloud can be used by your team across different devices, making it much easier for them to stay in touch no matter where they are;
- Helpful features – Cloud-based communication systems come with a wealth of features, including auto attendant, find me and follow me, and voicemail transcription;
- Reliability – Cloud-based services are delivered via data centers, with reputable providers working hard to guarantee uptime;
- Cost-effectiveness – The Cloud offers a scalable and cost effective service (more on that in a moment.)
When you add these features together, you get a communications solution that is a boost to any small business.
Committing Financially to the Cloud
When it comes to financial commitment, the Cloud is a cost-effective option for your business.
Cloud services are typically much more cost-effective to set up than their legacy counterparts. Cloud services don’t require expensive hardware or a physical PBX (private branch exchange) and lines.
With the Cloud, you only pay for the service you need.
The Cloud is a scalable option which means you’ll only ever pay for the service you need, allowing you to scale your Cloud service as you need to.
Reducing Ongoing Costs with the Cloud
The Cloud is also cost-effective when it comes to ongoing expenses.
The article “What is the Financial Commitment for Cloud Communications?” points out that many Cloud communications services run to around $10 – $50 per user per month, which is typically less than a PBX, and with less ongoing costs, too.
Cloud services put the responsibility for maintenance firmly in the hands of the provider, meaning you won’t have to worry about ongoing maintenance or hardware; you simply pay for what you need and leave the rest to your provider.
Is the Cloud Right for Your Business?
The chances are the answer is yes!
Now that the Cloud has been around for a little longer, businesses are embracing it more and more.
The Cloud has proven itself to be reliable, and the business world is moving away from legacy communications to the lighter and more flexible Cloud.
Just think about what the advantages of the Cloud could do for your business:
- Flexible working means your team can take the office wherever they go. From staying in touch with colleagues to exchanging important information on the go, the Cloud helps your employees to work effectively from anywhere. Not only does this boost productivity, it also means you can embrace telecommuting and therefore widen your geographical range for finding the perfect addition to your team;
- The helpful features of the Cloud make it much easier for your customers to get in touch with the right person. Your customers will enjoy faster response times and will appreciate being able to reach you whenever they need to, helping your business reputation;
- The Cloud’s reliable nature provides peace of mind for your business.
If you’re looking to the Cloud for your communications, you’ll find the financial commitment and ongoing costs are typically less than for legacy phone systems, giving your small business truly useful communications at a reasonable cost.
About the Author: Tristan Anwyn is an author who writes on topics including social media, SEO that works, and Cloud communications for your small business.