Introduction
RingCentral is a business establishment that focuses on selling diverse software. The software is used in the running of businesses on the premises of cloud-based phone systems. Although the firm is headquartered in California, it operates outside the US in countries such as China, Ukraine, Philippines, and Russia. This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using a cloud-based phone systems provider.
Pros
It is no doubt that cloud-based phone systems have many applications in the business world. However, it is important to analyze their benefits in order to determine the expected returns on investments. Five advantages are associated with the adoption of an efficient cloud-based phone systems provider. First, a firm would make significant cost savings by adopting the systems in its operations. With regard to the PBX system that is offered by RingCentral, it requires a relatively low investment when compared to traditional-based land lines for communication. For example, the PBX system could allow an individual to communicate at less expensive rates and reach more target customers per unit time.
The cost savings are important because every business establishment aims at achieving considerable savings and maximizing profits. Second, the systems are easy to set up. Unlike the traditional landlines for communication that requires rerouting, the modern phone based systems offered by RingCentral do not require specialized wires for connecting to various destinations. This is essential because it implies that specialized knowledge about the systems is not required.
Third, time saving is a great advantage associated with the cloud-based phone systems. Unlike the traditional systems that involve high maintenance and installation time, the modern approaches to communicating in business using phones are associated with low levels of maintenance and setting up. Thus, a considerable amount of time is saved, which could be used in accomplishing other business activities.
Fourth, remote capabilities significantly increase flexibility of the systems. This is a contrast to the traditional strategies of communication, which could only support communication at specific locations, for example, a desk in the workplace. In fact, it is possible to link cloud-based software to many mobile phones that are used by employees of an organization. This helps to facilitate the exchange of business ideas among workers of a firm. Fifth, it is essential to consider the benefit of advanced features that are supported by cloud systems. In an era characterized by rapid technological advancements, it would be prudent to adopt methods that support a relatively high number of features, which imply the ability to accomplish many activities at a given time.
Cons
On the other hand, cloud systems have some disadvantages. First, although they are considered to be relatively cheap, not all businesses could afford it, especially business start-ups. Thus, their usage could only be limited to firms that are strong in terms of financial performances. In fact, it would be important to make the purchasing cost of the systems affordable to the majority of business establishments. Second, phones that contain the software could be misplaced and this could result in losing a lot of business information and contacts. Third, it may require users to have some technical expertise in order to use the systems.
Conclusion
It is apparent that cloud systems have more pros than cons with regard to supporting business operations across the world. Thus, it would be expected that more companies would adopt them in the near future.