Tech evolves at a lightning pace, but one aspect that’s here
to stay is the cloud. From storage to infrastructure, this online-first
approach is changing the way we work in a number of ways – and one area where
this is making the biggest difference is telephony.
Future Market Insights has forecasted that the market share
for cloud telephony will reach $204.8 billion this year – putting adoption at
an all-time high. Companies everywhere are making the switch – but what makes
this telephone system different? And why is it a communications solution to
invest in?
The what and why of
cloud telephony:
While traditional telephone systems are manually housed
somewhere within the office, the cloud-based alternative takes everything
offsite. This means that your phone lines and call routes are securely stored
on a server that can be accessed
via the internet, and the phone calls made using this system are hosted over
the internet too. This is most often done with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. There are a host of companies out
there providing these systems, including Ring Central, BT, 3CX and many more.
So many
businesses are choosing to make this investment because of the myriad of
benefits VoIP provides. A more cost-effective, manageable and flexible
solution than the traditional phone system, cloud telephony is helping
corporate users to modernise their communication strategies and conduct business
more efficiently.
Contact still craved:
In a world dominated by social media, email, chatbots and a
host of other channels of communication, businesses may ask whether an
investment in their telephone system is one that’s worthwhile. Yet
consumers are committed to this method of contact.
65% of people prefer to contact a business by phone
call vs. only 24% who prefer a web form [The Call Intelligence Index].
75% of consumers believe that phone calls will help
them get a quicker response from businesses [Invoca].
This preference is driven by a number of factors,
including the ease of contact by mobile. As consumers search for the products
and services they need on their smartphones, a call to that business is only a
touch away – which is why mobile search accounts for 48% of total call volume [The Call Intelligence Index]. On top of this, phone contact remains essential
in sealing a deal, with 80% of sales transactions requiring at least five
follow-up calls to boost the chances of conversion [Marketing D].
The new
era is here:
With the telephone enduring in its popularity,
companies must perfect their call handling practices to deliver the best
possible service. It’s the unique features and benefits of a cloud-based telephone system
that best allow them to do this, which is why more users than ever before are
embracing this wholly modern solution.
If you’d like to learn more about the business potential of cloud telephony, PHMG has put together a complete White Paper exploring the benefits, considerations and immense possibilities of this technology. Just click here to download your copy.
