4 QUESTIONS YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO ASK ABOUT CLOUD-BASED SERVICES


For the last few years, "cloud" has been a major buzzword in the IT community. If you're new to cloud-based computing, you may be wondering what it means, and more importantly, how it impacts you and your business. The good news is that the cloud is fairly simple to understand, and it has provided a great way to expand your capabilities at a reasonable price. Here are some of the top questions we get from customers about cloud phone system services:

  • What is the Cloud? More or less, the cloud is simply a data storage medium that exists outside of your site. A few investors got together and set up huge banks of servers to use as versatile storage. Your computers connect to their servers and transmit data back and forth. Your company pays a set rate for access to the servers based on your actual usage, allowing you to scale up or down as needed without waste.
  • Is My Data Secure? Obviously, the thought of transmitting data off site to somebody else's server creates security concerns. The good news is that cloud service providers are experts in their field, and they have gone to great lengths to secure their servers against intrusion. In addition, you will continue to use standard security software and features on your own computers, ensuring that the data remains safe on your end as well.
  • How Much Does it Cost? The cost of cloud-based service is designed to be fluid but predictable. The idea is that you can store more data in the cloud for less money because your company does not need to purchase additional equipment, store it or maintain it on site. Instead, you will be billed monthly for access to the service, and your IT team doesn't have to worry about all that extra hardware. Of course, rates vary from one provider to the next, so you will have to check out service packages and get quotes to determine which provider will be best for your cloud phone system.
  • Will I Be In Control? Many users are concerned that when they hand over storage of their data to a third party, they will lose control over the programs and quality of their data. The good news is that the cloud-based servers are flexible and can generally be adapted to whatever software you already have in place. They are also highly reliable and can actually improve the quality of your calls rather than hurting quality. Your cloud phone system will be supported by specialists who are invested in keeping things running smoothly.
The cloud is a long-term solution to today's storage problems. It provides open-ended capabilities to take on more and more data as your company grows or as you add more phone lines. Moving your business phone system completely into the cloud often serves to save you money and increase the functionality of your system with CRM software, online customer service options and more.

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