The evolution of technology in the telecommunications space continues to point to change. The systems you put in place are quickly outdated and your competition will continue to be one step ahead of you simply because you’ve made significant investments in legacy systems. But does a move to the cloud always mean a competitive advantage, or is there value still to be found in the on-premise Private Branch Exchange (PBX)?
It’s tough to wade through the endless amount of information available on why companies should only consider the cloud and hosted Voice over IP (VoIP). You know the system you invested in is delivering on expectations and you see no reason to change. Yet marketing suggests you can’t be as competitive if you’re restricted by your dinosaur. Is this really the case, or is your IT manager right that your on-premise PBX is delivering exactly what you need and more?
In a global market where the cloud holds many of the cards, there’s still a strong argument in favor of on-premise solutions. There are some companies that will never move to the cloud, no matter how strong the argument in favor of a migration is. That doesn’t mean these companies can’t experience the same capabilities and benefits of those willing to make a change. In fact, some of the perks aren’t available to those who select the cloud, forcing decision-makers to select one benefit over another.
Take the cost-benefit argument, for instance. The benefits surrounding the cloud rest first on the ability to lower the up-front cost of implementation and pay only for what you need. What doesn’t often get included in such arguments is that while the on-premise PBX will eventually be paid off (and can depreciate), the cloud solution has a perpetual cost associated with it. You’ll never stop paying for that cloud solution.
The control element is also very real. While cloud vendors will promise that you’re not losing control over your system by moving it to the cloud, that’s not a truly sound promise. With an on-premise solution and the right engineers on your IT team, your in-house system can be anything you want. The cloud solution can also be anything you want – as long as it’s on the menu. Yes, you can still customize the solution, but not truly to your environment. The vendor has to please more than just your users, so the most popular features win.
Finally, it’s tough to move your PBX to the cloud when you’re used to your on-premise PBX. This is true even if the system can operate with the same equipment you have today. Processes still have to change, and unless there’s value beyond the risk or the benefits you’re giving up, it may not be worth the trouble.
Still not sure which direction makes sense for your environment? Contact Copper State Communications. It’s our job to examine the details with you so you know where your telecommunications investments make sense. Let’s start the conversation so you enjoy the benefits sooner.
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