Johannesburg, 03 Feb 2020
Choosing the right cloud-hosted PBX is primarily concerned with choosing the right service provider. Since this is a service-centric solution and has only recently started to take off in the market, businesses need to be certain they have chosen a reputable, reliable provider before signing up with them. United Telecoms provides a leading, powerful hosted PBX system, United Voice Cloud, offering the ultimate in flexibility and reliability.
This press release takes a look at five things to look at when selecting a cloud-hosted PBX service provider.
1. Plans and packages
Some cloud PBX service providers offer set packages with the option of additional add-ons, while others create custom solutions to meet the specific needs of the business. Whether a business chooses a set package or has a custom solution designed, businesses must ensure the chosen plan will provide them with all the features they need. United Telecoms can create a customised United Voice Cloud solution or choose from two different packages, starting from R65 per month per extension.
Companies signing up for a hosted PBX must pay attention to the details regarding usage and additional charges that could occur. It is also important to ensure they find a service provider that provides an all-inclusive solution that isn’t going to cost them more every time they do something beyond what their plan allows.
2. Customer support and communication
With a cloud-hosted PBX, most support is done remotely or telephonically with the service provider, meaning a business will need to rely on them for customer support and availability to ensure the hosted solution is always up and running. When issues do arise, the service provider should be readily available with multiple contact methods. With a dedicated service and support team, United Telecoms can be reached on various e-mail addresses and phone lines.
3. Software integration
There are hosted PBX solutions that act as standalone solutions, while others are designed to be integrated with other applications, such as CRM software. By combining the two, businesses are able to create a powerful tool that can track phone communications and manage customer services. United Voice Cloud integrates with the following CRM systems: SugarCRM, Zoho, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, Bullhorn, Zendesk, Vtiger, Pipedrive and SuiteCRM.
4. Redundancy and updates
A reputable cloud PBX service provider will be able to minimise a business’s downtime and ensure office continuity with the correct redundancy measures in place; including automatic failover, backup server and firewall, UPS for the network, etc. Another important factor is making sure the potential service provider performs updates software when necessary. United Telecoms performs upgrades and updates automatically at no cost or inconvenience to their clients.
5. Other questions to ask
In addition to the considerations discussed above, the following questions should also be asked and answered when shopping for a hosted PBX provider:
What is the company’s cancellation or contract termination policy?
Does the service support remote work?
Who are the current customers of the provider? Perhaps you can even obtain testimonials.
Does the solution come with a softphone and/or mobile application?
Since a business’s communications are a vital part of their business, it is important to do ‘homework’ on the different hosted PBX service providers in the market.
Find out more about United Voice Cloud by visiting www.unitedtelecoms.co.za/ or calling 086 001 8101.
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