While inexpensive to purchase initially, analog PBX costs more over time in installation, upgrades and maintenance. Nearly all new office buildings in Texas are connected to optical fiber, allowing for a digital private PBX, hybrid or VoIP option.
Digital phones provide greater flexibility and can be scaled more easily. Once the infrastructure is in place, most IT managers and human resource departments handle phone setup and training. These are important qualities for a growing employee headcount, businesses with multi-location branches and companies that are in a merger & acquisition phase. If you migrate 100% to the cloud, phone service changes are even easier and best of all, no maintenance is required on hardware or equipment.
Digital phone systems offer critical business features from conferencing to chat, to smartphone integrations. Some of these features are powered by an internet data connection, while others are possible via software. Digital phones can leverage an app ecosystem with a variety of call metric, analytics and call center software. There’s a reason it’s called Unified Communications, migrate to digital and support a more mobile and collaborative workforce.
Digital connections are starting to outnumber copper landlines in major metros of Texas. In fact, the FCC has already approved copper retirement rules allowing Verizon and AT&T to discontinue service and maintenance for copper landlines. For years, phone carriers have invested in fiber infrastructure and are starting to notify local businesses of a shutdown. If your office has received a letter, realize there is limited window (6 months) to migrate to compatible systems. Talk to c2mtech ASAP to avoid losing phone service.
Converting an analog PBX to a digital phone system can either be comprehensive and done all at once, or happen over time. A hybrid phone system can be an easier and less expensive investment for offices with existing equipment. Many of c2mtech’s customers have setups that can support copper lines and PRI (Primary Rate Interface). With PRI, experience cost savings on infrastructure when more than 12 copper lines are needed.
c2mtech offers a variety of analog to digital upgrades to meet the needs of your business. Throughout our company history, our team has installed and maintained analog solutions. With the creation of VoIP and growing adoption in businesses, many other firms claim to offer upgrades from analog to digital, yet lack the years of expertise on analog. c2mtech has history and skilled technicians on both analog and digital.
VoIP is a digital option, where a computer server handles all voice, call routing and data communications. It doesn’t require a PBX, yet a server which is less expensive and easier to implement and maintain. Hosted VoIP is a cloud-based service that manages VoIP servers off site. A third party carrier manages the server maintenance and upgrades, charging a service fee for access and equipment.
A full service migration to cloud Voice Over IP (VOIP) requires more planning. Network speed, reliability, class of service and redundant backups need to be evaluated by a qualified consultant. Data cabling is often upgraded inside the office before full VoIP adoption to reduce latency and call quality issues.
While there are several ways to go digital, not all support old analog phones and equipment. Cloud VoIP plans typically require full replacement of all equipment. However, a digital phone system with PRI lines, and on-premise VoIP are compatible with existing equipment. An Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) can even allow for the continued use of analog phones. Realize that you won’t get the same features as a softphone or IP phone, but you can delay replacement and receive the cost benefits of VoIP. Do an inventory of your phone system, POT’s phone receivers and conferencing equipment. Call the manufacturer and provide the model number to check for compatibility.
Our experience in digital upgrades draws several more years of useful service out of analog systems to give you an affordable solution to VoIP. Many businesses in Dallas and throughout Texas have opted for digital upgrades with c2mtech; avoiding investment on completely new equipment. c2mtech also offers refurbished phones for maximum affordability. The return on a digital upgrade can be seen quickly by empowering employees with the latest digital functionality, encouraging collaboration and productivity.
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