How to upgrade from on-premise to cloud phone systems

As you can see, there are many reasons to take your legacy phone systems to the cloud. But what matters most is why your business should upgrade. In other words, what are the reasons your business needs a better phone system? Consider the following contributing factors:

*Note: You can also use this checklist to help plan out the migration process as you start upgrading your legacy phone systems

Infrastructure:

• What is your current communication infrastructure and what are you trying to improve?
• Are you trying to increase operational efficiency or simply switch to a better service provider?
• How much of your existing infrastructure do you want to save?

Need:

As you answer the above questions, you’ll better understand what exactly your business phone system needs. That will help you decide how to upgrade – particularly, you can determine:

• What problems to solve and what features/services can help you solve those problems
• How much your business can spend on this upgrade and which provider fits within your budget
• And finally, how exactly you will switch over to the new system.

Each business’ migration and digital transformation process will look different based on its needs. But here’s a general overview of how to upgrade from an on-premise to a cloud phone system:

First, work with your internal IT team to run a comprehensive audit of equipment, software, devices, users, networks, workstations, and so on. This will help decide what is missing and what can be used for the migration to the cloud.

Then, determine what you need from your new service provider. This is the time to start looking for the best cloud-based phone system provider for your communication needs. You want to find a provider who can support your transition, work with your existing infrastructure, and fit within your budget.

Next, ask about and research the different ways you can upgrade.

In most cases, you simply subscribe to a cloud phone service provider. This could be a cloud phone number provider or a unified communications (UCaaS) provider. They will provide you with integration and login details. You log in to their dashboard or control panel and integrate the service with your existing infrastructure. This includes setting up SIP and call forwarding, configuring VoIP connectivity, etc. Your provider will give you the necessary instructions and steps.

This is something to keep in mind from the very beginning of planning an upgrade. Consider the different features, services, and transition methods cloud providers offer. Compare all that to their price and your budget. It is a good idea to choose a provider who doesn’t require long-term contracts, so you can change or scale your service as needed.

Make sure to review testimonials, reviews, and case studies to get a comprehensive picture of how different businesses use each provider’s service. This will give you a glimpse of what to expect if you sign up with them.

As you’ve seen, there are many reasons to upgrade and modernize your phone system. With advanced features, additional functionality, and improved quality, you can communicate with customers in a cost-effective and reliable manner.

While the migration process seems complicated, it’s actually pretty simple and only takes a few steps. It’s recommended to go over the process with your chosen provider so that everyone is on the same page. Start by researching cloud phone service providers, then reach out to their representatives or watch product demos. One step at a time; before you know it, you’ll have a brand-new phone system and improved efficiency!