Deciding on a new phone system for your business can be very challenging. Whether your just starting out, moving office or you’re just after something new. The wide range of communication services now available presents a real challenge for decision makers. It doesn’t help that providers claim to be the best at pretty much the same things as all the others. In reality, the most important decision you’ll make in this process comes down to two things: Cloud, or On-Premise?
Understanding the difference between these two services is the key to finding the right communication service for you. Cloud services have been hugely popular in recent years, but there are many benefits for on-premise as well. At Netcomms, we believe that both services have the potential to really benefit your business.
Not every communication system will be right for every business. To help, with this we’ve put together our guide explaining whether Cloud or On-premise is right for you.
Cloud: Flexible, secure and cost-effective
When choosing a cloud communications service, you won’t be physically hosting your phone system on site at your office. Instead, everything is stored securely in one of our robust and secure data centres. This not only makes life easier in terms of storage and logistics, but it also opens up a variety of other benefits.
One of the more notable benefits that cloud services provide is better access to remote working features. Although many teams are now back in the office, providing staff with the option to work away can be very valuable for a variety of reasons. Remote working provides your organisation with business continuity should your building be inaccessible.
With a cloud solution, you can access audio and video calls, instant messaging, and file sharing from wherever you are working through an app. This means you have a much better chance of reaching customer calls, no matter the situation.
On Premise: A bespoke platform designed for you
On-premise communications have been around for many years now, but still provide a huge amount of functionality for many teams. We understand that the data centre, hands-off approach isn’t for everyone, and if this sounds like you, then an on-premise solution is for you.
One of the greatest benefits of an on-premise solution is the resilience you gain when you handle your communications yourself. Whether you are a smaller team with a single location, or a larger, multi-site enterprise, our on-premise solutions can be tailored to keep you connected. All of these solutions can be managed and maintained by you on site, and scaled to fit the needs of your team as you grow.
One of the main reservations that many people have about hosting their own communications is the uncertainty that the system will be backed-up when something goes wrong. Should things take a turn for the worse, our solutions can deliver automatic failover protocols. This protects your data no matter the situation.
Which is right for you?
Both of these systems suit different businesses, but here’s what we recommend here at Netcomms.
If you are looking for flexibility, scalability and the potential to work remotely, then a Cloud solution is for you. The lack of equipment required for a cloud solution can be very beneficial for teams looking to implement a more fluid approach to work.
You can still access a whole range of features, from video calls to instant messaging and powerful management features through a cloud system. Cloud is also very cost-effective, making it ideal for start-ups and growing businesses. Due to the lack of need for equipment, there is a much lower initial outlay required. This also means you can quickly scale your communications as your team grows.
If your business has very specific requirements that needs more bespoke technology to meet them, then an on-premise solution could be better for you. On-premise solutions can be heavily customised to meet your needs. If you need a particular solution, it can be quickly added on to your network. Our systems are designed to be modular and compatible with a range of other technology, so can easily augment any existing infrastructure your business has.
This means if your business is based in a rural area or relies on some very specific infrastructure or specialist systems, we’d recommend an on-premise solution.
Get in touch
Of course, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to telecoms. Every business requires something slightly different. We hope this guide has helped to inform you about the different varieties of communications out there. If you’d like to get a more thorough understanding we’d recommend getting in touch.
At Netcomms we have years of industry experience with both cloud and on-premise solutions. No matter what your needs are, we can help. You can reach our team at 0800 298 6022