Are you looking to justify the installation of a new cloud phone system? Look no further than British Telecoms. In an announcement, the company said, ‘National telecoms provider BT has announced they will shut off their ISDN and PSTN services. The move brings to an end the use of analog phone lines and moves communications technology into an entirely online space’.

You can acquire ISDN services until 2023, but the switch-off date is set for 2025. This change is likely to affect an estimated 2 million British businesses and may signal the end of fax machines and landlines in a business setting.

The time to embrace a future-proof cloud communications system is now. Businesses that don’t make the switch now and still rely on their legacy hardware systems for communication will face a difficult journey to stay compliant and relevant to their clients.

Efficiency of Use Is Non-Negotiable

For companies that are just switching their operations to the cloud, the new capabilities at their fingertips might feel like a revelation. Suddenly, they're using dashboards that let them see what the whole team is doing. They're synchronizing their strategies and building a powerful, shared database. It won’t be long before they realize they can serve their customers better and faster than ever before. And that they’re communicating with contacts up and down the supply chain in ways that are easier to manage and provide a permanent record.

Once companies master the tools of digital communication, they wonder how they ever managed without them. Then, they dig deeper and start to understand how automatically generated analytics paints a picture of their successes and failures. It's a wonderful moment when they realize what a powerful business tool they now have at their disposal.

Built-In Cost Savings Are Part of the Deal

There are two kinds of savings with a cloud phone system. First are the immediate cost savings and, second, the longer-term, subtle savings that manifest in the bottom line after several months. For example, you quickly realize you don't need a demanding IT department to keep your systems running. Upgrading and maintaining a cloud-based system is the responsibility of the service provider. You simply need to log in and use the facilities as they were designed to be used.

That means you can get rid of all the dated, expensive hardware you have been using for years. Invest in a few workstations and good internet connectivity. Use the extra space in your office for something more useful. Or perhaps move to a smaller, nicer workspace now that you no longer need a server room.

Improved efficiency, smaller phone bills, and happier customers—the business case for a cloud phone system is almost undeniable at this point. But wait, there's more.

Remote Capabilities Are Vital

In 2020, the world is changing dramatically. With the coronavirus pandemic, it’s clear we’ll be spending more time working from home and collaborating over the internet. Businesses need tools that make it easier to work during long periods of isolation and social distancing. This means video conferencing, integrated messaging apps, communal calendars, dashboards, and a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) system must all be part of your work-from-home solution.

These tools may have been considered optional additions a few months ago. Now they are becoming more and more central to the way people will have to work in the foreseeable future. Real-world events, such as the ongoing crisis, have made cloud software and remote connectivity essential for today's businesses.

Grappling With the New Reality

It feels incredibly fortunate that cloud-based phone systems, social networking tools, and remote collaboration systems have evolved into the platforms most businesses now enjoy. Reality is pointing to the fact that the way we work for the foreseeable future is changing. Mastering cloud technology will allow businesses to keep growing and thriving in the digital economy.

8x8 has been building robust, cloud-based communication software for years, with features designed so that users can work remotely while still collaborating closely online. This is exactly what we need as we contemplate the still transforming communications landscape of 2020. The business case for cloud-based communications has never been stronger.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Contact a solutions expert to learn more about how a cloud-based system of engagement that integrates phone, meetings, team messaging, and contact center capabilities can lower costs and improve customer service. Call 0333 043 888 or visit 8x8.