The NBN rollout aims to improve Australia’s communication services by upgrading the phone and Internet infrastructure. Medium to large business will benefit with faster and more reliable Internet services. Employees will be able to easily work remotely and from more locations by embracing cloud services for communication, file sharing and more.
As the NBN network progressively rolls out PSTN and ISDN will be phased out. Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) commonly known as a ‘telephone line’ is the most commonly used method by users that only need one phone line for one conversation at a time, using one phone number. Homes and small businesses use this basic service.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) delivers digital transmission of data and voice services. Primarily used for voice services it gives options of more than one line. Medium to large businesses use this network as it has multiple features and integrates with their phone systems (PABX). Once the fastest Internet speed available, ISDN’s popularity is diminishing due to the introduction of cloud communications. If your business still uses ISDN or PSTN for its phone system you will need to switch over to a VoIP (also known as voice over IP) based service or ‘cloud phone’
Why you should put your phone system in the cloud
As cloud-based phone services don’t use traditional phone lines there are no line rental fees. This makes it a lot more cost-effective than a traditional landline and your calls are delivered at lower rates. Another benefit is it doesn’t require a large, expensive PBX system. A cloud-based phone system delivers calls and PBX-style functionality over your Internet connection. With no need for multiple landlines or expensive PBX equipment, more medium and large businesses are using the cloud for business communications.
Putting your phone system in the cloud will give your business future proof communication solutions, at a fraction of the cost of traditional PBX systems.
8×8 features include:
Now while the list of features is impressive, it’s worthwhile considering the larger impact a cloud-based phone system will have on your medium to large business. With fast speed and ease of communication across multiple platforms, systems and devices your workforce becomes better connected and more productive. And with the ability to engage in real-time, customer service standards sky rocket.
As your business expands, opens more locations and has more remote workers, it’s important that your phone system keeps pace. If you don’t switch from your legacy PBX to a cloud based solution your business will be lumbered with expensive and labour intensive solutions.
Having your phone system in the cloud gives your business the agility and flexibility to add or disconnect new phone lines and locations via an Internet connection. The 8×8 business phone system is easy to use and requires minimal IT assistance. Your employees can easily check, locate, click to chat or call and/or click to collaborate. And with call monitoring, mobile collaboration, CRM integration and hot desking this cloud-based phone system will give your business a competitive edge.
Other benefits of 8×8 business phone systems include:
Why your business needs to replace its legacy PBX
If your business uses a traditional PBX the hardware will need to be replaced so it’s compatible with a future proof cloud-based phone solution. But what could happen if you don’t replace the legacy PBX? Risks and costs to your medium and large business include:
After you transition your communication system from legacy PBX to a unified cloud communication solution your business becomes more efficient and productive. With many legacy PBX systems comprising of separate solutions from multiple vendors, productivity becomes disjointed and costly. Switching to cloud communications ensure all communication capabilities are integrated seamlessly.
When your business has a unified cloud communication solution it easily adapts to your business growth. From increasing employee numbers to opening up new locations or having more remote workers. Increasing the scale of services with legacy PBX is often labour intensive and expensive.
If a disaster or natural event affected your business, the legacy PBX system does not have the capability to provide continuous connectivity. Because unified cloud communication systems have no single point of failure, your business will stay connected – no matter what happens.
As medium to large businesses switch to cloud communications they increase their competitive edge and efficiency. From mobile collaboration, CRM integrations, call monitoring and hot desking across multiple locations on all devices. And with the ability to get real-time, relevant information instantly your business reporting capabilities increases.
4 ways the NBN will impact your business communication systems
As the NBN continues its rollout throughout Australia, it’s important to understand the implications for your medium to large business communication systems. Services that use a landline including Internet, EFTPOS, fax machines and phone systems will need to be upgraded.
1. Broadband and modems
As you research the options from transitioning ADSL to NBN it’s important to be conscious of your data needs. With the NBN offering multiple speeds and prices, it may be a good time to switch providers. Choosing an alternative provider may give your medium to large business faster speeds, more inclusions and a reduction in monthly fees.
2. Fax machines
The NBN rollout will also affect your fax machines. One of the simplest solutions is to replace your old fax system with a cloud-based system. Using a virtual fax solution also allows you to maintain the old fax numbers.
3. Phone systems
The rollout of the NBN network and the phasing out of PSTN and ISDN over the next few years, means businesses will need to switch their copper based voice services to alternative VoIP based voice services. In order to keep your existing phone numbers, you’ll also need to move them to the cloud.
If your medium to large business still has legacy PBX hardware this will need to be replaced with a cloud based phone solution (also called virtual PBX) With all the features and functionality of your current PBX system, a cloud based phone solutions reduces costs and gives your business flexibility to upgrade services easily.
It’s important that your medium or large business starts getting ready for the NBN, even if it’s not connected yet. We can help you easily transition your business phone system to the NBN and offer future-proof solutions that you can setup today, so you’re prepared for tomorrow. Contact us today.
