Cloud Phone System

Cloud Based Phone System

Cloud communications and software services are all the rage right now and well, they should be.  So what is a cloud phone system?   It is actually hosted VoIP or an Internet business phone system (Virtual PBX).  This "cloud phone system"  is a communications platform where the application sits out in the cloud or Internet and as a subscriber you connect to it for a monthly fee.  "Cloud based phone system" is a relatively new term meaning phone service that is delivered through your Internet connection.  This term or buzz word; �cloud� is the really another word to mean the Internet.  A synonymous description would be Internet Phone System or Hosted VoIP with regards to an Internet Business Phone System.

"Cloud Communications", bringing attention to hosted VoIP.

Some cloud communications currently being used through applications are Gtalk and Skype.  If one wants to talk to another Gtalk user or Skype user over their computer or other devices that have Internet access, the call will be free of cost.  However, if for instance a Skype user wants to call a cell phone number or a landline number that user would need to have available credit on their account to pay for the call before that call will be allowed.

Like all Cloud Based Applications hardware and software are required at the users end.  This could be an IP phone or a computer in the case of cloud communications.  These end points use the network and facilities of the host provider as a gateway. 

Business VoIP Providers 

Provider	Plan Details	Monthly Rate*
	RATED #1 BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS Includes 100+ Premium Features Unlimited Calling, Faxing, SMS, Conferencing Trusted by over 350,000 Businesses	$19.99	Details 142 Reviews
	Business phone service - no internet required Not internet-based - more reliable than VoIP Landline & cell plans, unlimited calls/texts 1:1 account setup tailored to your business * 8.3% discount if paid for the year upfront	$17.41*	Details 7 Reviews
	Engineering for the Small Business Unlimited Calling 24/7 Customer Service Quick QR Code Onboarding SMS, Ring Groups, Call Reports * per user per month	$9.95*	Details 1 Reviews
	Alliance Phones for Business Control Panel monitoring Setup takes under an hour Receive daily call reports * 12% discount for subscribing and paying for a year upfront	$19.97*	Details 13 Reviews
	The phone system built to do business anywhere Video Meetings & Text Messaging Call Forwarding & Routing Desktop, Mobile, & Web Apps * $5 per additional user	$19.00*	Details 1 Reviews
	Get 99.99% network reliability with Fios. Business Digital Voice 1-year price guarantee Unlimited data * Per month. Plus taxes, fees and equipment charges.	$69.00*	Details 11 Reviews

*Rates shown do not include taxes, surcharges and E-911 charges. Some providers offering promotions like unlimited calling have restrictions. Read individual providers terms and conditions before you buy.

Residential VoIP Providers 

Provider	Plan Details	Monthly Rate*
	Home Phone Service Call the US & Canada for free 1 free hour of international calling included Tons of features at no extra cost * $15.00/mo. or $6.21/mo. with 2 year contract	$6.21*	Details 58 Reviews
	Home Phone Service Calls to US and Canada: unlimited No activation or hardware cost Money back guarantee and 30+ features * $6.25/mo. 1-year prepay equals $75.00/year	$6.25*	Details 75 Reviews

*Rates shown do not include taxes, surcharges and E-911 charges. Some providers offering promotions like unlimited calling have restrictions. Read individual providers terms and conditions before you buy.

Let's Recap:

• Cloud Based Phone System is synonymous with Hosted VoIP or an Internet Phone System (VoIP).
• Cloud refers to the Internet.

Customers are being told and sold on the benefits of having their services off site with one low monthly fee.  Saving the costs of backups maintenance, server replacements, etc.

Because most of the equipment, like what would be in the traditional phone room, resides with the provider, less upfront costs are associated with Cloud Communications, as well as less maintenance and upgrade expenses.  Expansion can also be accomplished very easily, usually by just logging into your VoIP Provider's account and choosing the services that you need.

VoIP Mechanic has quite a bit of information about hosted VoIP and a business Internet phone system.  You can learn about the benefits of Hosted VoIP.