Traditional phone systems may appear cheaper. But it isn’t. Purchasing and installing hardware alone are already costly. This is not even including yet the regular maintenance and upgrade required to keep such hardware up and running. In the long run, this will pile up on the company’s operational costs. No wonder why businesses are now going virtual. It’s a more modern approach and helps businesses keep up with the ever-changing technological age. And considering the benefits you’ll get from it, using a cloud-based system lets you save money in the long run. It’s a wiser investment for growing and established businesses alike.
Benefits of Switching to Cloud Based Phone System
A business phone system offers faster and more efficient call handling. Aside from the many benefits that you’ll get, using a modern phone system will also make your business look more professional. It can boost the company’s image, not only to the partners and clients but to prospects as well. Other benefits include:
Integrated communication and increased workflow, efficiency and productivity.Real-time access and better communication control.Ease of use and mobility.Improved customer service.Flexible and easy to scale up.It lets small businesses enjoy features that are normally only available to large businesses.
With this, we have researched some of the best phone systems of today. We narrowed down our choices to 3, the ones which we think are great for businesses of all sizes. Now here are our cloud based phone system reviews.
3 Cloud Based Phone Systems: Overview
Before we each review the cloud based phone systems, here’s an overview and quick comparison of the 3.
RingCentral Review
RingCentral is a robust cloud communication solution for small, medium to large businesses. It is easy to use and feature-rich. It is also mobile-friendly, allowing everyone in the team to communicate from anywhere, right at the comfort of their devices. Great for meetings, conferences, messaging, and calls. It has the basic cloud-based phone features that many of its competitors also offer. But what makes it stand out is that it has the most feature-rich packages. Each plan, even the most basic, comes with the following: mobile apps (which work both with Android and Apple), call management, and high-definition video conferencing. Not to mention that this phone system can easily be integrated with Dropbox, Outlook and other cloud backup solutions.
Features
RingCentral has all the features you need from a cloud based phone system. It is mobile, flexible, secure, and great for handling communication using multiple platforms. With one-click functionality, it lets users experience HD audio, video and web conferencing, as well as webinars and Cloud telepresence. It also builds better communication between team members through its team messaging, SMS, file sharing and other collaborations. This phone system also offers advanced administrative tools and call analytics. Not to mention its 7 layers of security. Other features include:
Multi-level IVRAutomatic call recording and monitoringDirectory listingMulti-site managementCall screening, forwarding and delegationVisual voicemail and internet faxInternational callingPerformance reports
Pricing
RingCentral offers 4 main pricing plans, from basic phone, standard, premium to ultimate. Of the 4, the premium plan is the most popular. At a price of 34.99 a month, this package includes unlimited phone calls in the US and Canada, unlimited audio meetings, and unlimited video conferencing which can cater up to 100 people. Other features include automatic call recording, unlimited internet fax, voicemail-to-text function, and more. The plans are designed to cater to businesses of all sizes, from startup companies, growing small businesses to established large enterprises.
Pros
The positive feedbacks on RingCentral are mostly about their ease-of-use and wide array of features available and accessible through multiple platforms. The provider stands out because of their excellent features including mobile apps, call management, and HD video conferencing. Their plans are also relatively cheaper than the other cloud-based phone systems, considering the multiple features that they offer with each package.
Cons
Most complaints against RingCentral are targeted at their poor customer service. In some cases, the support team does not or cannot properly address customer queries. In addition, some customers are not quite happy about the company’s response with regards to subscriptions cancellation and refund requests for erroneous charges or overcharges.
Recommended for
This cloud based phone system is recommended for businesses that are looking for a cost-efficient solution to communication management. Their service plans are considerably cheaper than other business phone systems. At an affordable price, you’ll get multiple easy-to-use features which everyone can access through multiple platforms and devices. It’s definitely both for small businesses and large-scale companies that want an uncomplicated phone system. Learn more about RingCentral and visit their site. You can also try their 7-day trial if you want to check out their services yourself. The company also has a mobile app which you can download for free.
Jive Voice Review
Jive Voice is a great cloud-based phone system with a wide product range, which makes it highly scalable for businesses of all size. It is most known for its 24/7 customer support, ensuring that you’ll get the assistance that you need anytime you need it. Built to be customizable, this phone system can be easily configured to suit your business needs. This scalable system offers VoIP and unified communication solutions, from basic to advanced features to cater to the needs of businesses of different sizes.
Features
Jive Voice features an extensive suite of options. Its video and voice call packages can cater to every business from startup to established companies. Its main features include call forwarding, recording, monitoring and queuing, as well as auto attendants, call analytics and dial plan editor. Other features include:
Desktop integrationOnline PBX controlsTime-based routingVoicemail-to-emailVirtual faxUnlimited extensionsFax-to-mailCustom greetings
Pricing
The company guarantees honest no-obligation simple pricing. You can either choose a monthly deal or a long-term contract. Jive’s tiered pricing ranges from $19.95 to $29.95 per user a month. The more the user, the lesser the price. You can get up to 99 users using this pricing. If you need 100 or more users, custom pricing is also available.
Pros
Jive Voice is most revered for its excellent 24/7 support. The company has a dedicated team to help you with any customer or technical help anytime, any day of the week. Another advantage of using this business phone system is its product range which allows companies to easily scale up, from startup businesses to larger companies.
Cons
The main disadvantage of using this business phone system is its complicated initial set up. While it promises uncomplicated product range, some users complain that setting up the phone system is confusing and time-consuming.
Recommended for
Jive is recommended for businesses that are looking for a flexible and reliable customer and technical support 24/7. It’s also great for small to large businesses that need a business phone system that has boasts a wide product range and scalability. Visit their website if you’re interested to learn more about Jive Voice. Jive also has a mobile app in case you’d like to use it for business or personal communication. Download it below.
Mitel Review
Mitel’s cloud-based system is a 3-in-1 service. It’s a cloud communication, contact center and collaboration service in 1. With its wide range of services, it is highly scalable, making it perfect for growing companies. Its MiCloud Connect is designed for small to large businesses. With this service, you’ll get a contact center, collaboration and integration communication solution. It’s also built to keep your information safe and confidential. Thanks to its SOC 2 and HIPPA-compliant security. It’s flexible and intuitive, making it a complete solution for businesses.
Features
Mitel has cloud-hosted PBX phone system which you can access through a mobile application. With this, you and the rest of the team can work from anywhere, collaborate and communicate anywhere with an internet connection. Despite its wide-range features, Mitel is simple to manage and easy to use. It uses intuitive and modern user interface to help team members and admins to get things done fast and easy. It requires minimal training. And it is easy to upgrade and scale up. Its many features include:
Works with and available for Android, PC, Mac, and iOSVideo and audio conferencing with web sharingPersonal and group chatTeam collaborationIntegrated contact centerIntegrations with CRMs and calendarsBuilt-in VPNIP desk phones
Pricing
Mitel’s pricing is based on each user per month. It has 3 basic pricing and service plans, the most basic of which has a starting price of $20.00 per user per month. Here’s an overview of their pricing:
Pros
Mitel’s highly regarded as an all-in-one cloud communication solution. Its main advantage is its wide range of features designed for better scalability in terms of communication, collaboration and integration. Aside from its full-feature product range, it’s also famous for its great customer service.
Cons
The main disadvantage of using Mitel is that it’s pricier than other business phone systems. The pricing makes a huge difference especially for companies that are on a tight budget.
Recommended for
Mitel is best for large and established companies. With its full-feature produce range, it can cater to all the needs of a growing business. It’s best not only for communication but also for integration and collaboration. It is also beneficial for startups, but since it’s quite pricier, then it’s more suited for established businesses. Visit this website if you wish to know more about Mitel and their services.
Ready to Use Cloud Based Phone System?
Now that you’ve read 3 cloud based phone system reviews, it’s up to you to decide if shifting to a such system is worth it. Just take note that more and more businesses are now shifting to cloud-based system for their communication, collaboration, integration and contact center needs. Some even use full-feature call center systems for their business. All 3 cloud based phone systems reviewed are great for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large companies. They are designed to be highly scalable, and they offer the features that every business would expect from a business phone system. Just keep in mind the pros and cons of each one, to help guide you which you think is best for your company. Featured Image
