Choosing your Solution.
The first thing to consider when deciding on a communications solution for your business is whether to choose an on-premise communications platform or a cloud system. Here’s a very brief overview of the two, and the QTS process for setting your business up for success with either.
| Premise-Based Telephone Systems | Cloud Telephone Systems | |
| Where does the equipment exist? | The telephone server, along with all other hardware associated with the phone system, resides at your business site. | The telephone server resides in multiple world-wide data centers.
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| Who owns the equipment? | Equipment for premise systems is purchased up front, so your business will own the hardware. This means that there is CAP-X upfront investment. Additionly there is monthly reoccuring cost for Dial Tone and Maintenance Agreements. | With Hosted or Cloud systems, your business will not own or house the physical server in your office – the system itself is offsite. Your company will pay a monthly fee that includes Dial Tone, and features such as: voicemail, call forwarding, eFax, Mobile and Software applications. |
| Maintenance | Purchased equipment typically require vendor/manufacture provided maintenance and a knowledgeable internal IT staff. Upgrades and software updates become an on-going taske and security / compliance requirements are completely the customers responsibility. Interested in support for your premise system? Read more here. |
Cloud solutions use browser-based access to configure, manage, maintain and monitor the system from anywhere. |
Premise-Based Systems
Where does the equipment exist?
The physical server, along with all other hardware associated with the phone system, resides at your business site.
Who owns the equipment?
Equipment for premise-based systems is purchased up front, so your business will own the hardware. This means that there can be a substantial upfront cost associated with a new system, in addition to any monthly fees associated with network infrastructure and equipment maintenance.
Maintenance
As you own the equipment, its maintenance is your responsibility. You’ll need either knowledgeable internal IT staff, or a maintenance contract for the equipment to be serviced.
Interested in support for your premise system?
Read more here.
Cloud (or Hosted) Systems
Where does the equipment exist?
The phone server resides in a service provider’s data center.
Who owns the equipment?
With a hosted or cloud system, your business will not own or house the physical server in your office – the system itself is offsite. Your company will pay a monthly fee that typically includes access, features (voicemail, call forwarding, eFax, etc.), maintenance, and upgrades.
Maintenance
Hosted solutions use web-based access to configure, manage, and maintain the system.