A Decision-Makers Guide to Choosing the Right Telecommunication Solution

Everyone wants to make the right choice. Especially when it comes to business communications because it’s what keeps your company up and running.   

But with so many telecommunication solutions out there, it can be hard to know if you’re picking the right one. 

Well, don’t worry. With a quick, ten-question quiz, you’ll be able to find your match in no time. But before we do, it’s time for a quick review.  

  

Getting to Know Your Potential Telecommunication Solutions  

There are typically three categories of telecommunication solutions: traditional, cloud-based, and hybrid.  

Traditional telecommunication solution 

Traditional telephony is your conventional landline-based system that uses copper wires and analog signals.   

Most of the time, these systems require quite onsite hardware stored in a spare closet to keep it organized. While once a reliable option, these solutions are being used less and less due to how expensive they are to set up thanks to the FCC’s recent ruling. 

Cloud-Based Solutions 

These run on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, which allows voice calls to be transmitted through the internet instead of copper landlines. Several telecommunication solutions fall under this umbrella, but the most popular ones are Cloud PBX (Private Branch Exchange) and UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service).  

• Cloud PBX makes all your communication virtual. The system runs on servers managed by a third-party provider and is accessible anywhere via an online portal. They’re quite scalable and offer features like auto-attendants, voicemail-to-email, and mobile integration. 

• UCaaS platforms combine all your communication tools (phone system, video conferencing, texting, and file-sharing) into one platform. This consolidated approach makes it easier to manage your day-to-day routine and cuts your communication costs.

Hybrid Solutions 

As you’ve probably guessed, these combine traditional hardware and VoIP programming. Typically, a third-party provider like Statewide connects your traditional equipment to the internet through SIP trunks, aka “virtual phone lines.” These will let you make and take calls using your current internet connection.  

Your traditional phones will continue to work like they always have, but you can save a little money by communicating via the internet.  

 

The Telecommunication solution Compatibility Quiz 

Now it’s time to run through this list and mentally circle the most accurate answers for your business. If it helps, grab a pen and paper and write them down.  

Question 1: How would you describe your business’s current communication needs?  

a. We rely on in-house infrastructure and prefer it that way.  

b. We like the idea of modernizing, but we’re not ready to let go of our familiar systems.  

c. We’re ready for our communication to be as agile as our business – modernize, modernize, modernize!  

Question 2: What’s your stance on upfront investments vs. long-term savings?  

a. We’re willing to invest upfront for complete ownership and control  

b. We’re open to investing some upfront but would also like to reduce our communication costs  

c. We prefer little-to-no upfront costs and more flexible payment options  

Question 3: How important is it for your team to collaborate from anywhere?  

a. Not very, since we operate from one central location  

b. We have some remote workers, but most of our collaboration happens in-office  

c. It’s a top priority for us, as we’ve got quite a few hybrid and remote employees  

Question 4: What level of scalability does your business need?  

a. We’ve stabilized and don’t expect significant growth or downsizing  

b. We expect moderate growth and need a solution that can adapt to it  

c. We’re growing like crazy and need a solution that can keep pace  

Question 5: What’s your stance on maintenance and updates?  

a. We prefer handling maintenance and updates in-house for better control  

b. We’re open to outsourcing some things but still want to be involved  

c. We prefer to let our provider maintain and upgrade our system for us  

Question 6: How tech-savvy is your team with telecommunication solution?

a. Advanced – we’ve got a great IT team capable of handling complicated systems  

b. Above-Average – we’re competent but may need additional training for newer tech  

c. Average – we prefer solutions that are user-friendly and don’t require extensive IT expertise 

Question 7: What’s your budget range for telecommunication solutions?  

a. Generous – we’re willing to invest whatever we need to get the proper communication service  

b. Moderate – we’re looking to balance features and affordability  

c. Tight – we need the most cost-effective solution that doesn’t compromise on quality  

Question 8: How important is integration for you – i.e., connecting your communication system with other platforms? 

a. Not essential, we prefer to manage our systems individually  

b. We’d love one or two integrations, but it’s not a top priority  

c. Having a system that easily connects to the others is critical to our success 

Question 9: Is it essential that your solution is quick and easy to set up? 

a. No – we’ve got the resources to handle any setup on our own 

b. Somewhat – simplicity is preferred, but we could handle a more complex setup with a bit of help 

c. Yes – simplicity is key! We need a solution that’s one-and-done, plug-and-play 

Question 10: What will your communication look like in five years? 

a. We’ll stick with our current systems for the foreseeable future  

b. We’ll gradually transition to more modern solutions as our needs evolve  

c. We’ll be equipped with the latest and greatest communication technology

The Results  

Now that you’ve completed the quiz, it’s time for the results!  

If you answered mostly A’s:  

You want a traditional on-premise system! This way you and your team can have full control over your communication infrastructure from start to finish. 

If you mainly selected B’s:  

Your perfect match is a hybrid system. You want the reliability of traditional hardware with the flexibility of the cloud, and investing in some SIP trunks is a great way to achieve this!   

If you chose C’s most of the time:  

You need a cloud-based system! With no upfront investment required and plug-and-play integration with other apps, it’s scalable, adaptable, and affordable.

Whatever Your Telecommunication Solution – Statewide Communications’ Got It!  

At Statewide, we’re dedicated to getting you the solution you need and the features you want at a price you can afford. Plus, each of our solutions is backed by a team dedicated to keeping you up and running no matter what.   

Want to see it for yourself? Reach out to Statewide today to see why customers are calling our service and support “nothing short of fantastic!”