Contingency Planning for Phone Systems
If 2020 has taught business owners anything, it’s that business contingency planning is an absolutely essential practice. A roadmap created by management that helps the organization navigate disruptive events, contingency planning should encompass every facet of the operation, including technology and communications systems. In this blog, SafeCall outlines the advantages of contingency planning created by cloud-based and VoIP business phone systems.
Your Communications Infrastructure is Tucked Away Safe In the Cloud
If your phone system and communications infrastructure were premise-based, any number of events could have a catastrophic impact on your business’s ability to maintain operations. From long-term Internet outages and power outages to more serious events such as destruction of property due to fire, flooding, or other disasters, any number of factors could compromise the physical phone lines and Internet connectivity built into your building’s infrastructure. For cloud-based telephone systems, the entirety of your communications infrastructure, aside from the devices used to access the system, are protected offsite at a high-level hosting facility. Your phone system and all associated functionality will remain up and running despite the physical condition of your business offices. Your only concern becomes how you configure the system in response to the facilities challenges you’re facing.
Staying Connected Via the Web
Cloud-based telephone systems come with a web-accessible browser-based portal. If you’re forced to work outside of the office, and you’re working from either your home, a temporary office, or another venue with access to an Internet-connected laptop or desktop computer, you can utilize the portal to temporarily turn your computer into your office desk phone and access all of your contacts, make calls, and access any other programs such as CRM solutions you might use in the office.
Mobile Accessibility
Take your mobility one step further by using your cloud-based phone system’s mobile app on your phone to access all of the same systems, data, and tools that you use on your desk phone. As an added perk, your calls will still appear to originate from your company, minimizing any issues trying to reach existing or potential clients.
Retain Flexibility In How You Communicate
Cloud-accessible business phone systems can also provide access to a number of features that give you flexibility in how you communicate with your contacts.
You can remotely receive and respond to SMS text messaging sent to your main business phone line.
The portal allows you to re-route calls to any extension or group of extensions within your system, so the right people can field the right calls in the event employees are working outside of the office and take on additional duties or responsibilities.
Calls can be routed to an automated attendant or voicemail system so that the client experience is not completely interrupted in the event employees have to deal with the logistics of transitioning to a remote work setting.
In certain circumstances, employees can also simply take their IP phones to a home office, where they can connect through a home network and function as normal. In the event that the phones are powered by POE (Power Over Ethernet) data switches, it would be necessary to ensure employees have access to power adapters for the devices to be able to draw power from traditional outlets. Some models also come WiFi-ready and provide an additional level of flexibility and connectivity in the event of a disaster or interruption of connectivity.
A Solution for Every Challenge
Successful contingency planning requires access to business communications equipment that retains flexibility and function beyond your business’s four walls. At SafeCall, we provide our clients with access to industry leading cloud-based telephone systems and equipment that give users uninterrupted access even when the business is faced with extreme challenges. Need to take some of the uncertainty out of your contingency planning? Contact our team today to learn more about our cloud-based and VoIP phone system solutions.