Companies with multiple locations are perhaps the perfect example of how to maximize the benefits of a hosted phone system. These companies achieve cost efficiencies, centralize activities, lower investment costs, and enhance customer and employee communication by deploying cloud telephony.
Cost Efficiencies – Whether the locations are across the town, state, region, or country, a hosted phone service consolidates the phone service providers into one. Typical hosted phone service providers deploy quantity discounts and provide all-distance calling plans. Long distance costs are eliminated and the overall monthly service costs are reduced. These direct cost efficiencies are beneficial, but the tangible advantages found in centralization of activities and improvement in communication flows is where significant savings can occur.
Centralization of Activities – One of the greatest advantages of hosted VoIP platforms is the ability to customize the programming of call flow. “Companies with multiple locations” is a very generic category, but deploying this type of a system can get very specific to the needs of your company and customers. Whether you choose to centralize call flow with a primary reception model or an auto attendant, or maintain location specific incoming calls, you can still centralize various functions. Common functions, such as sales, customer service, scheduling, technical support, or any other common function, can be set up in a ring group. These ring groups can be consolidated in one location or even spread across locations. To the caller, it is irrelevant as to the location where the call ultimately lands as long as their specific need is met. Such programming can create cost savings and improved efficiency.
Enhanced Customer and Employee Communication – Through the programming mentioned above and the consolidation of the phone service under a single platform, customers enjoy a seamless communication experience. Their needs can be met by being directed (automated or manually) to a ring group, or via a simple transfer to the specific associate required. Automated attendants can be set up in various stages of the call flow, whatever suits your customer service desires and philosophies. Additionally, employees can extension dial or transfer to any employee in the company, regardless of their location. Finally, you can even set up employees virtually, as they can work from home and still appear to be on your communication system!
Low Investment Costs – Under traditional phone system deployments, a separate PBX would be required at each location and remote virtual users would fall outside of such a model. With a hosted VoIP phone system, you only need to purchase the phones and some minor location specific equipment. The “system” is provided and administered by your hosted VoIP phone service provider. This provides for a very low cost of entry, and the savings achieved directly through lower monthly phone service costs and indirectly through centralization and improved call flow maximizes return on investment and decreases the payback period.
If you are a company with multiple locations or wish to deploy a virtual workforce, investigate a hosted VoIP phone provider who can cover your geography and customize the deployment to meet your needs.
About the author: Mark Greim is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at sipVine, a provider of a variety of digital phone solutions and services. Mark has extensive experience working for start-up or entrepreneurial organizations and a passion for affordable, reliable, and purposeful technology solutions in those environments.
