Return on Investment Benefits
So how much is a Cloud Phone system? Well, before we go into that, let’s review the benefits you will notice once you are on a UCaaS system:
- Your IT team will be able to focus on other items, like your core business goals, instead of managing an older system with software upgrades and system maintenance.
- By only paying for the applications that you want, you will be able to utilize your system exactly as you need it:
- whether it is joining remote workers into a web conference
- integrating systems with email
- transcribing voicemail messages
- recording calls
- Video conferencing and collaboration
- Because you didn’t buy all the hardware that a phone system demands, you are not paying a substantial up-front capital expense. Instead, you’re getting a very predictable monthly operating cost for these services.
How Much is a Cloud Phone System?
So how are these monthly costs determined? Very basically, you’re paying anywhere between $20 and $55 per month for each phone that you use.
What accounts for that range in pricing? Primarily the hardware and feature choices that your business requires such as:
- Type of phone you need
- How many pre-programmed keys
- Bluetooth handset, headset or hardwired handset
- Speakerphone for excellent quality audio conferences
- Quantity of secured audio, web or video conferencing paths for collaboration
- Call recording and archiving
- Voicemail transcription
- Integrations for Salesforce, Google, or other email platforms
- and more
Can Other Costs Be Expected When Implementing a Cloud Phone System?
There may be some other hidden costs that are unique to your business, and that is probably worth thinking about as well.
Is your infrastructure ready for a cloud deployment?
- Is your data cabling for phones adequate? Cat6 cabling is recommended, Cat5e, at a minimum unless specialized hardware is in place to support lower-grade cable. Cables should be run directly to the main server room, and should not run through any rogue switches.
- What about your network switches? Do they utilize power over ethernet (PoE), or are you planning to power each phone with a local power brick? Do you have uninterruptable power supplies in these locations to support your phone in case of a power outage or brownout?
- What about Bandwidth? High-speed Internet service is okay, but your call quality might not be consistent. We recommend a dedicated fiber internet connection for best results.
- Is your network firewall ready for voice? When you size the firewall, make sure you have a rough idea of how many phone users and PC/laptop users you have, as well as how many users will be remote. Make sure it is business-grade, and VoIP capable, with Quality of Service control, bandwidth management capability, deep packet inspection for voice traffic, call admission control via H.323 gatekeeper, and session initiation protocol (SIP) proxy support.
- Do you plan to deploy the phone system internally? If your network is ready and your cabling in place, do you plan to have someone on your staff implement the telephones and to confirm staff training?
To recap, as long as your business infrastructure is ready to go cloud, UCaaS will be a flexible, scalable, and robust solution with predictable monthly operating costs.
Download Preparing Your Business for Cloud Deployment
TSAChoice has locations in Asheville, NC, and Greenville, SC. While we provide services outside those locations, you will typically find our teams working in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. If you need additional assistance with cloud phone system pricing or determining if your network is ready, please contact us.
Additional Resources:
Ongoing Service and Support Options
