ARE ALABAMA COMPANIES USING ON-PREMISE OFFICE PHONE SYSTEMS?


As you delve into the world of office phone systems, one question you might be asking is what kind of systems the people around you are using. Are other businesses in your area moving to the cloud or are they using on-premise phone systems? Gauging your current customer service communications system against the rest of your industry is a good way to know whether or not you are falling behind on the technology curve. In reality, more than half of Alabama businesses are still using on premise phone systems.

Accessibility

The number-one reason that so many companies still choose to use on-premise phone systems has to do with accessibility. Both the hardware and software that make on-premise systems work are widely available and relatively inexpensive. It is easy to find a local provider and get set up in no time with no recurring monthly fees. Plus, the ability to have your existing IT team run things makes troubleshooting equally accessible.

Company Size

Another common reason for sticking to on-premise office phone systems has to do with company size. Alabama is not known for having many giant companies. Instead, much of Alabama is filled with small and mid-sized businesses. Many small businesses don't have an immediate need for the scalability and added features of cloud-based systems. Thus, on-premise systems offer enough functionality to keep things running smoothly without any extra fluff that may not be fully usable until the company grows.

Finding the Right Fit

What many companies have found in recent years is a large amount of pressure from communications companies to move toward the cloud. However, on-premise phone systems still fill a real need in the industry. There are simply some places where a cloud-based system doesn't make sense. Before you buy, you should make sure that your communications company is committed to finding the right solution for you, not just the solution that works best for them. Don't be afraid to ask your specialist whether an on-premise system might work for your company, and get to know the pros and cons of choosing this type of system. If your service provider cannot clearly explain their recommendation, you should get multiple recommendations.

Ultimately, on-premise phone systems are here to stay. Even with a huge push toward the cloud, many companies find that keeping their office phone systems in house makes for easier management and greater control over future modifications. It will be a long time before the businesses currently using on-premise systems make the move to other technologies.

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