There’s a lot of talk these days about “the cloud.” Companies in every sector are using “the cloud” for data storage, collaboration, and data analytics. When you sign up for VoIP services, you have the option of choosing between locally hosted hardware and software or taking advantage of cloud-based services.
While both systems have their pros and cons, cloud-based systems offer significant advantages for most hoteliers. Should your hotel move its VoIP system to the cloud?
When your communication system is hosted locally, you’ll incur the initial cost of the hardware and software itself, in addition to installation, infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance and IT work.
When you choose a cloud-based solution, you avoid all of those costs. Instead, you’ll simply pay a monthly fee that’s likely to be about the same as what you pay for your existing phone service. You’ll still be able to take advantage of all the features of your VoIP system, but without worrying about the upkeep of the hardware itself.
Some hoteliers are still hesitant to offload their servers to a remote location since they won’t retain physical possession of the hardware that holds their data and software. Don’t let this worry you — modern cloud services boast uptime of better than 99 percent, so downtime is no more a risk with cloud services than it would be with on-site VoIP service.
Better yet, cloud services often provide significantly better security. The servers hosting your software will use high-end encryption and physical security protocols that most hotels can’t match.
Change is inevitable. To ensure that your hotel remains competitive, it’s important that your systems be versatile enough to adapt to the changing needs of your customers.
With a cloud-based system, you’ll be signed up for automatic software and hardware upgrades, compliance with new regulations, and new features that can improve the efficiency and guest experience of your hotel. You can also easily add or remove features without making alterations to infrastructure or interrupting service.
A cloud-based system also affords a higher level of flexibility. 2020 was one of the most difficult years on record for the hospitality industry with travel numbers plummeting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many hotels were able to survive by allowing their staff to work from home, taking advantage of the versatility of a cloud-based VoIP system to service clients remotely without compromising health standards and restrictions.
Cloud-based VoIP service also offers an array of advanced communication features that will improve the guest experience at your hotel. For example:
In addition, new features are often added during software updates, allowing you to offer your guests the most up-to-date communication features.
Phonesuite’s cloud-based VoIP systems are simple, intuitive, and customizable so that administrators can make changes and grant permissions whenever they’re needed. The ease with which you can set up your system and initiate your staff will save you time, allowing you to focus on the guest experiences that matter most.
Don't be afraid of the cloud. Instead, embrace it. By allowing your hotel's phone system to exist in the unseen world of cloud computing, your everyday needs can quickly and smoothly be attended to. If you’re ready to bring your hotel’s telephony system into the 21st century, a cloud-based VoIP system from Phonesuite is the perfect solution. Curious about the cost? Contact us today!