Four tips to make sure your network is CloudComms ready

With the PSTN/ISDN switch off approaching, businesses are now assessing their future communication needs. Replacing an existing communications setup could provide opportunities for greater collaboration, flexibility, cost savings and more. But first, to take full advantage of a solution like CloudComms, your network needs to be ready.

CloudComms is a true cloud-based solution that lets you mobilise your workforce with anytime, anywhere calls. It is customisable and scalable to your unique business needs, with an accessible portal that puts you in control. It can empower you and your team to provide exceptional customer experience as well as boost your productivity and collaboration.

Here are some tips to help you ensure your network is ready for the switch.

1. Check your current network performance and capacity

It’s important to remember that CloudComms is not a traditional telephony solution. It doesn’t use the soon-to-be-retired copper telephone network at all, rather routing all traffic via your internet connection.

And while a high-quality CloudComms call might not use a great deal of data, it’s important to consider your number of users and integration with other cloud-based services.

Before making the move to CloudComms, check your bandwidth usage and availability. Like most cloud-based services, CloudComms will perform best over a high bandwidth full fibre or Ethernet connection. Though, it is flexible enough to perform over the best broadband you’re able to use.

2. Assess your user base and choose the right solution for you

Will all your users be office based, and if so, will they be occupying a single location or multiple premises? Or are you servicing a hybrid workforce, or one that is completely remote?

Knowing your user requirements can help you to make the right CloudComms decisions. How many handsets do you require? Do you need to provide access on mobile and remote devices? Do your users have sufficient home or mobile connectivity?

Whatever your unique business needs, there is no need for concern. CloudComms is flexible enough to be tailored to your own requirements. But that upfront knowledge can help you to make the right decisions on day one.

3. Make sure you’re ready

We’ve already covered this point partly, but it’s crucial to remember that if you’re using copper connectivity, you’re now only a couple of years away from needing a future proof broadband connection. The consequences of not acting are severe – yet they are also easily avoidable with proper planning.

When you’re assessing readiness, it’s also important to have a full understanding of any current contracts that might make immediately moving to CloudComms difficult. You might have a SIP or ISDN contract for example that still has time to run. Even if you’re not able to make the move today, planning for your next communications contract is crucial.

4. Leave it to the experts

One of the best features of a CloudComms service from a provider like Zen is no more internal PBX hardware to manage and maintain. All your routing is done remotely, and ongoing maintenance is taken care of.

All you need to do is choose the right level of service and then manage your users and teams through your easy-to-use portal. Your provider will take care of the rest.

Are you ready to make the step to CloudComms? Check out our website for more details.