In the ever-changing environment of business, leading enterprises worldwide have recognized the power of the cloud. They constantly look for ways to leverage its capabilities for better operations, security, and scalability. Cloud communication uses technologies, platforms, and tools built to "live" in a network of servers that are designed to help people connect with each other.

Whether you're conducting video conference calls or sending messages, you can accomplish all of it over the cloud without needing extra hardware.

To help you understand cloud communications and its incredible benefits for businesses, we've detailed its top advantages below. You will also learn what problems it can solve and a few drawbacks worth considering.

What is cloud communications?

"Cloud communications" refers to a collection of internet-based tools that enable allow users to leverage voice, data, and telecommunications without relying on PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).

More often than not, it comes in the form of a platform that provides all types and sizes of companies comprehensive features for starting and sustaining productive conversations. You can streamline your collaborative efforts, not to mention onboard any employee, as long as each party has a stable internet connection. Since users are not restricted to an on-premise server or exact location, this technology in particular is very conducive to remote work.

As cloud-based technology becomes more prevalent, communications solutions built on it are turning out to be dominant forces across industries worldwide. There are plenty of opportunities for growth and new features that make them extremely attractive to any innovation-centered company.

The undeniable benefits of cloud communications

• Unified Communications to boost productivity

Cloud-based communications innovations like Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) provide real-time updates and robust functionality. UCaaS can be especially beneficial for employees because it lets them use SMS, call recording, voicemail messaging, and virtual phone service to stay connected with customers and team members on one platform. This way, businesses can benefit from real-time analytics and automation using a single app.

• Great flexibility with the cloud

Since all cloud communication systems are deployed via data centers, employees working remotely just as connected as their office-based colleaghes. Cloud communications provide business employees the flexibility to send instant messages, make calls, hold virtual meetings, and share files across different locations and time zones with ease.

Remote operations have become even more streamlined, thanks to new updates that have improved workflows . Think about it: a support agent can take advantage of omnichannel routing, dynamic notifications, and IVR, even if they aren't physically present in the contact center offices.

• Customizable telephony options

A large number of cloud communication platforms offer a monthly service agreement that allows companies to pay for subscriptions and scale up as they go. This is entirely different from data center tech or privately-owned PBX (private branch exchange), which require full payment for all the infrastructure. More traditional solutions call for higher capital expenditure and inevitably lead to underutilization With many cloud-based systems, you only need to pay for a fixed number of users and the services you actually use.

• Fantastic cost savings

Enterprises that still rely on legacy phones for business communication generally overpay for telephony each month. After all, the maintenance costs of on-site servers need to be considered for these services on top of the actual phone service.

Moving your communication systems to the cloud allows you to bill the provider for the setup, upgrade, and upkeep (for comparatively reduced prices). This is even more cost-effective given the fact that you can choose the pricing plan according to your needs.

• Improved reliability and security

With traditional on-premises systems, each communication channel is handled by a different vendor, which has a tendency to make the infrastructure unstable. To keep your in-house systems protected and ensure consistently reliable, you need to invest in the best communication systems technology.

A provider that offers cloud communications hosts the systems in a remote and secure data center. They work to ensure minimal downtime during disasters and emergencies. You can even get a guarantee of high service level uptime to reduce problems with poor video and voice quality, dropped calls, and other signs of unpredictable performance.

• Quicker scaling

Another great benefit of this technology is its scalability. With cloud-based solutions, a company doesn't need to purchase new software or hardware to support advanced capabilities. Instead, this communications technology is meant to grow with your existing systems.

You can add new users to the platform within a few minutes with some software changes. On top of that, you can integrate popular business applications and other special tools into cloud communications systems for better customer experience, sales, and collaboration.

• Effortless data leveraging

Cloud technology also give users the ability to gain operational insights through data. With vast amounts of information you can get out of customer and communications activities, you can make smarter and more informed business decisions. You can even share the data with stakeholders and take action based on trends and patterns in real-time.

• Better workflow management and productivity

Consider the amount of time you lose when each employee multitasks, using different technologies and platforms on a daily basis. Imagine having to train people everytime a new tool is introduced to their processes.

Overwhelming, isn't it?

With cloud technology, users can find all features and functionalities in one place. You can reduce time spent on switching from one app to another. With an effective platform, workflows improve and employee productivity increases. And you can bet workers at every level will appreciate the smoother and more streamlined processes. As a bonus: communication solutions like this support single sign-on, meaning users don't have to worry about having to log on to multiple tools before getting any work done.

Cloud communications cons you must keep in mind

• Dependence on the internet

Although there are a host of advantages to migrating your communications system to a cloud platform, you won't enjoy any of them without reliable internet connectivity. Cloud phone systems and video conferencing applications need stable internet service to work without a hitch. You have to find the best internet service provider in your area before you even think of investing in cloud-based systems for your business communication needs.

• Some inconsistency in call quality

Latency and jitter are two call quality issues that may occur with cloud telephony. These phenomena are common when users rely on wireless networks or are in areas with limited service. Keep in mind that packet latency and network jitter are common problems when there aren't enough data centers connected to the internal network, ISP, and the service provider, . This is why you need to test a cloud-based platform beforehand. It ensures the call quality of the service provider meets your expectations.

What problems does cloud communications solve?

• Hosting

A cloud platform gives you access to advanced communications technology with little to no complication. You don’t have to worry about upgrades or server maintenance because that's the vendor's problem. You can focus on maximizing resources instead.

• Security

Cloud-based systems have advanced significantly over the past few years. In fact, some are deemed even more secure than many on-premise communication systems. There are, of course, business owners who still hesitate to transition to cloud technology due to their fear of security risks and attacks. But their concerns are largely unfounded nowadays. Many businesses are using these platforms and, to serve their needs, providers are compelled to offer high levels of security.

• Architecture

To benefit from AI, data analytics, and remote collaboration, businesses need to adopt cloud architecture. Moving operations to the cloud means letting go of previous limitations and improving one’s business value proposition to clients. Cloud adoption provides a fantastic solution to data accessibility and storage and can allow businesses to prepare their employees ahead of time for emergency situations.

• Technical support

With in-house communication systems, the on-site maintenance team is responsible for tending to all servers. Businesses have to hope their local professionals can resolve issues that arise. Alternatively, they'll need to hire a third-party company for assistance. Both options can be costly.

With cloud-based systems, the risk is minimized since most providers offer built-in support and quick customer service to address any problems that might come up.

• Collaboration

If several co-workers aren't physically available at the office (because they need to travel or work remotely), it can be difficult to collaborate on a project. Cloud communications services, notably UCaaS, allow employees to make calls and stay in touch with one another.

• Disaster recovery and business continuity implications Associated with Cloud Communications

The best benefit cloud-based platforms offer is business continuity and disaster recovery (DR). In cases of an emergency, they provide affordable and reslilient solutions as compared to on-premises systems.

Business continuity is critical in the face of disaster, since significant delays in communication and poor collaboration can affect a business’s bottom line. It doesn't matter if there’s a power outage, pandemic, or hurricane - cloud communications provide safer and more flexible alternatives for DR. Employees can keep taking customers’ calls and stay connected with their teams.

8x8 Cloud Communications - The perfect cloud communications platform for your business

With the right cloud communications products, your staff can count on uninterrupted communication, whether they're collaborating on tasks or providing customer assistance. 8x8 offer organizations the ability to empower their people with great cloud communication solutions. VoIP features, unlimited phone calls, and fantastic remote work functionalities by 8x8 allows you to maximize your operational efficiency with the power of the cloud.