In a post-pandemic world, hybrid work models are fast becoming the norm. According to a recent Gallup poll, approximately 53% of businesses are looking to adopt a hybrid work schedule – nearly doubling the number of people who work remotely. This is due in large part to a change in employee preferences. In 2022, almost 90% of employees prefer having some degree of flexibility during the week. As companies adapt to this “new normal,” many have discovered how important it is to have flexible communications. Enter the VoIP hosted PBX.
VoIP Hosted PBX: Empowering a Hybrid Workforce
There are many reasons why VoIP hosted PBX systems are the perfect tool for a hybrid workforce, but for now we’ll just focus on the top four.
Flexibility. VoIP hosted PBX systems makes it easy for employees to transition from home to office thanks to “softphone” apps. Workers can transform any internet-connected device into an office line just by downloading the app. It also gives them access to all the advanced communication features a VoIP hosted PBX has to offer, such as find me/follow me, video conferencing, instant messaging, and more! Now employees can access their office phone system, and its benefits, from practically everywhere.
Affordability. Thanks to their softphone apps, VoIP hosted PBX systems don’t require additional hardware investments! After all, it can run on any device that’s connected to the internet. And because a VoIP hosted PBX system is managed by the provider, you don’t need to worry about hiring additional staff to oversee it. They’ll take care of it all for one low monthly fee per user.
Security. During the pandemic, most employees operated on their own devices out of necessity. But now, approximately 83% of companies have some kind of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy in place. While this is quite convenient, it does present a myriad of security risks for the company. Personal contacts can become mixed with business contacts, phone calls could be hijacked, private information leaked.
Thankfully, VoIP hosted PBX systems, and their apps, are thoroughly encrypted. Every call made on the app is logged and can be recorded or supervised by management. VoIP hosted PBX encryptions not only protect your information but also your customers’ information. Contact information is contained on the app and the app only – making it impossible for employees to misdial their numbers.
Scalability. A VoIP hosted PBX system makes hiring new employees a sinch. No more shipping expensive telecom hardware to them and hoping that they get it. Just tell them to download the app on their laptop or mobile device! No more complicated processes to set them up as a new user on your phone system. Now you can simply send an email to your provider to add the user for you or do it yourself on the VoIP hosted PBX’s administrator portal!
VoIP Hosted PBX: Finding Your Perfect Fit
Because of its explosive growth in recent years, finding the right VoIP hosted PBX provider can be tough. There are so many out there and they all seem to be offering the same thing. How do you know which one is right for you? Try asking yourself any of the following questions:
How do my teams communicate now? This question helps you narrow down what features you’ll need. After all, the last thing you want to do is spend money on a system that has a bunch of features your teams won’t use. So, take a poll of your current employees! And if your employees find that they use video conferencing more than audio conferencing, then be sure your VoIP hosted PBX has video conferencing capabilities, etc.
Does the solution have adequate security measures? Be sure that whatever solution you pick has end-to-end call and data encryption. After all, if your employees are going to be accessing your company’s phone system from anywhere that connection needs to be secure no matter what.
Can the VoIP hosted PBX easily integrate with other software? This is a particularly important question for companies looking to build their own unified communications (UC) solution. Giving employees the ability to access multiple tools from one platform can simplify your internal processes and increase overall productivity.
Give Your Hybrid Teams What They Deserve with ACI
At ACI, you don’t just get a VoIP hosted PBX provider but an IT industry leader as well! Our communications solutions, response times, and technological expertise are the best in the business, and we are happy to pass those benefits on to our customers. Interested in learning more about our VoIP hosted PBX? Reach out to us today to get started!
