What is Hosted VoIP?

Even if you already know that you want to switch to a new phone system, the options available to you may be difficult to parse. If you don’t know what the difference between a hosted, on-premise, or hybrid solution is, how can you be expected to know which one is right for your business? 

Keep reading to learn what a hosted VoIP solution is and why it might be the best choice for your organization. 

It’s a Phone Solution

Hosted VoIP is a business phone solution where the software for your phone is hosted by your VoIP provider, on their servers. Upgrading your business phones from a legacy system can jumpstart your office productivity and even have unexpected results like lower employee turnover and improved customer service.

It’s More Than a Phone Solution

When you choose a cloud VoIP system, you can choose to upgrade only your phones. However, a hosted solution opens up so many more communications possibilities for your organization, most notable Unified Communications. Cloud technology makes it that much easier to ensure that your various communications platforms, like instant messaging, video conferencing, mobile phones, and email all work seamlessly with your desktop phones.

It’s in the Cloud

The servers used to store a hosted VoIP solution are an example of software that is hosted “in the cloud.” While cloud solutions are a hot issue across many industries, there are undeniable benefits to moving your communications technology into the cloud. A hosted system means that your IT department will no longer have to spend their time supporting a legacy or on-premise phone system, freeing them up to focus on more strategic projects. Further, cloud phone solutions mean that you can be confident that you are always using the latest version of your phone software because maintenance and upgrades are taken care of by your VoIP provider.

It’s Secure

The idea of upgrades brings us to our next point: a hosted solution is secure. While there are understandably security concerns when it comes to the cloud, a trusted provider can ensure that your system is as secure as possible, protecting you against potential fraud and data breaches through the use of the latest technology.

It Grows With You

When your business is successful, you want it to grow. In many cases, that can mean adding new employees, at new desks, with new phone extensions. By investing in a hosted solution, the process of adding new users becomes simple and extremely cost effective. Cloud VoIP systems mean that often adding a new user just requires a new phone (or less when a softphone client is in use).

It’s an OPEX Solution

Any business upgrade will come with a cost attached. In addition to the benefits we’ve outlined above, making the switch to a hosted solution can be good for budgetary reasons as well. A hosted phone system gives you the flexibility of OPEX spending, rather than the large CAPEX investment that’s required for an on-premise phone system upgrade. Because of the way the hosted phone cost structure works, you may be able to get rid of your current antiquated system sooner than you think.

Hosted VoIP is more than just a phone system. Click below to see how a total UC solution can solve more problems than you'd think!