All About VoIP: What is a Cloud Hosted PBX?
One of the best things about Voice over Internet Protocol (or VoIP) is that VoIP is very flexible, offering businesses different solutions to fit their needs. Most business VoIP providers offer unlimited calling plans, international calling plans, SIP Trunking options, and more! One of the more common forms of VoIP popular among businesses both big and small is Cloud Hosted PBX (or Private Branch Exchange). But what is a Cloud Hosted PBX and how can it benefit your business?
Some of the big business benefits to choosing a cloud hosted PBX solution are:
- Little to no hardware required
- Minimal upkeep and maintenance
- Real-time changes
- Scalability
- Cost savings
A Cloud Hosted PBX (also referred to as Hosted VoIP, Hosted PBX, or Virtual PBX) is a telephone system that is "hosted" off-site by a VoIP provider, therefore saving you time, money, and maintenance. This is because the VoIP provider maintains and upgrades your phone system as needed. So you do not need a dedicated IT team to address issues or perform system upgrades. The VoIP provider handles your equipment, and your business can easily manage the customization and implementation on your end. This also makes a hosted PBX option much cheaper because you do not need any large equipment on site. So there is more space for you and your business to grow!
One of the perks to using a hosted VoIP solution is that changes are apparent almost instantly. Whether it be adding a new user, extra numbers, or more features, you can see the results in real-time. And with a hosted PBX VoIP solution, you still get all of the features and functionality that comes with a VoIP solution: auto attendant, music on hold, voicemail to email, follow me/find me, and more. And you can add users and customize your phone system at will. In turn, this means that a hosted PBX solution is also very scalable, which is why many businesses choose a hosted PBX solution. The phone system can grow right alongside the business.
In addition to being scalable, a hosted PBX is mobile and flexible. It is a perfect solution for businesses that have remote offices or employees because everyone can be nested underneath the same phone system. This means that all of your employees (regardless of location) can have access to all of the included features in your PBX. It also allows users to connect to their VoIP system via phones, mobile devices, or laptops.
But it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to get a professional PBX. Hosted VoIP solutions are very affordable! With most hosted PBX solutions, long distance calling is included on top of multiple productivity features. These would cost extra with your standard PBX solution. But a hosted VoIP PBX you have little to no hardware and no installation costs, which can help you save big.