December 2nd 2023
SHOULD I SWITCH TO A HOSTED PHONE SYSTEM?
Traditional phone systems limit mobility, tying you to your desk and restricting your organisation from working on the go. A hosted phone system, on the other hand, will get you where you need to be. No costly hardware or missed call opportunities. Just high-quality calls, flexible working and low costs - even as you grow.
Want to make the switch? Discover if a cloud hosted phone system is right for you below.
What Is a Hosted Phone System?
A hosted phone system is a phone set-up that works over the internet and is hosted in the cloud. Cloud technology eliminates the need for physical hardware and analogue or ISDN lines, which will eventually cease activity as part of the PSTN Switch Off.
As a software-based communication, organisations can take calls anywhere and access a range of Unified Communication features. You can set up voicemail and auto-attendants, collaborate over video or instant messaging and view call analytics. Everything a modern business needs to succeed.
How Does a Hosted Phone System Work?
Despite its name, a hosted phone system isn’t as complex as you’d think. A hosted telephony service uses VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and cloud technology to join you to a fully digital network using Internet Protocol (IP).
The phone will connect to the IP network and the remote host when incoming calls come in. After this, the caller will connect to the department or individual they dialled. The performance of the hosted phone system relies on superfast broadband to ensure voice data is transmitted without interference.
What’s the Difference Between Landlines and VoIP Phones?
Hosted phone systems use the internet to make and receive calls. Traditional landlines rely on ISDN and analogue lines to transfer calls over the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). In 2025, BT will switch off ISDN and PSTN, meaning thousands of businesses are at risk of service disruption.
A VoIP phone system requires no wiring or expensive hardware, saving you money and allowing your team to break free from a desk phone.
What Are the Benefits of a Cloud Hosted VoIP Phone System?
At Lily, we offer Lily Cloud, a hosted phone system made for businesses of all sizes. Switching to our VoIP phone system will let you:
- Receive Calls Everywhere: Let your team quickly answer calls via a handset, softphone, web portal or mobile application remotely, at work or on the go.
- Reduce Costs: Save up to 60% on your monthly rental bill if switching from an ISDN or analogue phone line. Plus, you don’t need to invest in costly hardware or set-up as you scale.
- Control Calls: As calls come in, set up call recording, custom holder music and auto-attendants for when it’s after hours.
- Get Actionable Insights: Access historical and live call data in the web portal and identify trends through custom reporting. Integrate your CRM to boost team efficiency and improve future communication.
- Stay Connected: Use Collaborate, Lily’s Unified Comms platform, to instantly message, call, video conference or share files with your team members.
Upgrade to a Hosted Phone System Today at Lily
Will you make the switch to hosted phone systems? Our expert team will help you get set up in no time. Contact us today to discover how our cloud phone systems will help you.