The top 5 benefits of a cloud phone system

A reliable and efficient phone system can work wonders. With the right setup, you’ll boost productivity as well as customer experience. Cloud phone systems are becoming an increasingly popular choice for all kinds of businesses. But what exactly can a cloud phone system offer over an on-premise one?

We’ve compiled the top 5 benefits of cloud phone systems below. If you’re looking to migrate to a cloud system or have any questions that uCall can help with, head to our contact page.

1.    Cloud phone systems are futureproof

With a cloud phone system, your calls are routed over the internet, using VoIP (voice over internet protocol) technology. This is a big upgrade on calls over ISDN or PSTN lines, which are set to become obsolete anyway.  

BT Openreach announced in 2012 that ISDN and PSTN lines would be switched off in the UK by 2025. This means that any companies that still use this outdated technology will need to have upgraded their phone systems by then. Quite simply, you will have to route calls via the internet

With a cloud phone system, your calls are futureproof for years to come. That’s reason enough to switch – but there’s plenty more where that came from! 

2.    Cloud phone systems can save you money

Cloud phone systems offer all kinds of cost savings. We’ve already mentioned VoIP calls, which are routed online. Well, this tends to be significantly cheaper than calls over ISDN lines. Line rental is a lot cheaper, and there’s just less infrastructure to maintain. 

That’s also true of cloud phone systems over on-premise, which are hosted in hardware on your site. You have to pay for that hardware with on-premise. You also have to store it, maintain it, and eventually replace it. Cloud simply removes those costs from the equation. It’s hosted offsite, and you have no responsibility for maintenance or upgrades. They’ll happen without you even noticing. 

Cloud also provides a big productivity boost. You can make and take calls on-screen and from different devices – which may not sound much, but it shaves a few seconds off every call. That time really adds up. Also, you can use the system on any device, anywhere with an internet connection. This means you can get more out of your remote workers. By reducing downtime and maximising efficiency, you’re going to save yourself money in the long term.

3.    Cloud phone systems are more resilient and reduce downtime

Let’s say you’re currently using an on-premise system. If it goes down for whatever reason, your business communication will likely come to a grinding halt. A cloud phone system will keep downtime to a minimum.

Our systems are hosted in tier-one data centres away from your business site. The technical name for this is geographic redundancy, or geo-redundancy. This just means that your phone system isn’t vulnerable to outages in your area. In other words if anything goes wrong near you, the data centre that hosts your phone system will be unaffected. And if something goes wrong in your data centre, the service will instantly “fail over” to another – you won’t even notice it! 

It’s a resilient solution, with more options for backup in the event of a failure. By putting your communication networks in our hands, you can let us handle the technical bits so that you can focus on other important areas of your business.

4.    Cloud systems require less maintenance 

An on-premise system is your responsibility, and may require regular technical maintenance from time to time. This is something you’ll have to keep on top of to keep your business running. With a cloud phone system, the maintenance is handled for you.

Cloud systems work the same as any other software. Updates are not your responsibility. This saves you time and money. 

5.    Cloud phone systems are scalable

In the long term, you may be looking to grow your business. This can present some technical challenges. Let’s say you’re adding a new location. Before cloud and VoIP, this was pretty tricky. You’d need to buy a new on-premise phone system, and install all the cabling required to route calls – costing time and money.

Cloud makes it so much easier. There’s no need for a new system – you simply add new users as needed. It’s pretty much instant. And as for cabling, you just need power and internet. 

This makes cloud much faster to set up, and much easier to scale. And you pay a subscription for each user, which means the costs also scale. That’s why our cloud phone system is suitable both for smaller businesses with a handful of users, and much larger multi-site enterprises. 

Why choose uCall?

We’ve been providing communication solutions to all sectors since 2009. We work closely with our clients to ensure that all of your communication needs are met, and are tailored to your business model. If you are looking to reduce your call costs and modernise your communications, head to our contact page to speak to a team member or give us a call on 0330 333 5003.

Which business broadband is best for you?

Don’t know your SoGEA from your leased line? You’ve come to the right place! There’s a huge range of options when it comes to internet connectivity for business. They come with different speeds, different bandwidths and different prices. 

It can be tricky to navigate all the options, and it’s important. Overestimate your needs, and you’re overpaying. Underestimate them, and you’ll be slowed down by a sluggish connection. Ultimately, both of these will cost you money. Luckily, we’re here to help!

Here at uCall, we’re specialists in business connectivity. We know the market inside out, and we’ve been connecting businesses, schools and other workplaces for years. We pride ourselves on our knowledge and our service, and that’s why we’ve put together this guide. 

The connected workplace

Let’s kick off by stating the obvious. Modern business is heavily reliant on the internet. Everyone knows this, but it’s worth reviewing just how much things have changed – and are still changing. 

It’s not just emails and your social media accounts. It’s voice calls, videoconferencing, cloud storage, and the ever-growing range of web-based business tools – accounts, CRMs, EPOS, analytics, CCTV, project management software … 

We could go on, but it would take a long time – the list is practically endless! Our point? Whether you’re a school or a business, your data needs are probably greater now than they would have been ten years ago. And who knows? As we move towards the internet of things (IoT), those needs might become greater still. 

What should you consider when you’re choosing business broadband?  

Shortly, we’ll run through the various ways your business can connect. But first off, let’s consider how you actually choose between them. 

1.     Your location 

This is a pretty straightforward one. BT is rolling out fibre broadband across the UK, but unfortunately it isn’t available everywhere yet. We can advise on whether you can get full-fibre connectivity in your area.

2.     Your need for speed (and bandwidth!) 

Different businesses have completely different demands when it comes to bandwidth and speed. It mostly depends on your size and the work you do. On top of that, there’s the question of how many web-based services you use. Here at uCall, we’re able to help you get a clear estimate of how much speed and bandwidth you really need. 

3.     Your budget 

This one is fairly self-explanatory. Still, there’s a little more to it than the obvious. Clearly, you can’t go with something you can’t afford. But you also can’t afford connectivity that doesn’t meet your needs. If it slows down your work, it harms your productivity, and that costs money too. It’s all about finding that happy medium!

4.     The future 

This is perhaps the one that businesses don’t consider enough. Broadband is an ongoing investment in your business. That means you need to think about what you’ll need in the future as well as the present. Do you have plans to grow the business? Will you be moving offices? Will the business change in any way? If so, you’ll need to think about whether your connectivity needs will change too.

There’s also the question of technological change. Did you know that BT is switching off the UK’s PSTN lines? These are the copper wires that millions of people rely on for phone calls and internet connection. It’ll be done by 2025 UK-wide. This means some forms of connectivity will become obsolete, and you’ll also have to route calls online. That could force you to change how you connect, and it might well increase your bandwidth and speed requirements. 

What business broadband options are there? 

OK, let’s take a look at what’s out there. Every option is different, and meets different needs. What we do at uCall is to look at your business, and address those all those points we’ve just gone over. 

Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) 

FTTC is a good option for smaller businesses with lower bandwidth requirements. It works like this. A fibre cable runs from your local exchange to your cabinet (those green boxes you see on the pavement). From there, a PSTN copper wire runs to your business. 

That copper wire is the downside. As we mentioned, BT is switching these off. If your business runs on FTTC broadband now, you’ll have to switch by 2025 at the absolute latest. 

4G and 5G routers 

What if you can’t get full-fibre broadband in your area? No problem! We can provide high speed routers that don’t rely on it. Our 4G routers can hit speeds of 90Mbps, while 5G routers can reach as high as 200Mbps. These are a very good temporary option if you’re waiting for fibre to become available in your area. 

SoGEA 

SoGEA stands for Single Order Generic Ethernet Access. Not a very catchy name, but it’s a really great option for SMEs that don’t have very high data requirements. It’s basically a futureproof replacement for FTTC, because it doesn’t rely on PSTN. Not only is it futureproof, but it’s also more stable and reliable than FTTC. 

Fibre to the premises (FTTP) 

FTTP is a step up in terms of speeds, bandwidth and reliability. It’s a full-fibre connection straight to your business. That means fibre-optic cables straight from the exchange to you. No one shares the line, and so this delivers outstanding speeds without interference. 

It’s not available nationwide yet, but BT is working on that. It can reach download speeds of 330Mbps, which is great for businesses with higher data requirements. 

Leased line 

Leased lines are the connection of choice for the most data-hungry businesses. It’s an Ethernet connection with fixed bandwidth, and matched upload and download speeds of up to 10Gbps! You’ll struggle to do better for speed, bandwidth, security or resilience. 

Leased lines are suitable for larger enterprises and contact centres, and industries that consume a lot of data. For instance, if you’re constantly exchanging very large files, leased lines will do it much quicker. 

How uCall can help 

Well, it’s fair to say there’s a lot to consider. And this is where we recommend talking to the experts. Here at uCall, we’ve got years of experience in helping businesses make these decisions. We’ve got the knowledge, and we’re committed to doing right by our customers every time. 

We’ll help you decide, install it, and provide expert support whenever you need. To get more out of your business connectivity, get in touch today!

Get ready for the switch-off

If you’ve been paying attention to the UK communication industry for any amount of time, you’ve probably already heard about the upcoming PSTN / ISDN switch-off. 

There’s been a lot written about it over the years. And it’s generally geared around making you panic, directing you to upgrade your phone system right this second.

At uCall we want to look past the hysteria, and just present you with the facts you need to navigate the switch-off. Although you may need to change the systems you use, there’s enough time left to ensure you get the right deal.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is the switch-off?

BT announced back in 2015 that in 2025 all traditional landline phone services, PSTN and ISDN, would be switched off. It’s a gradual process, with plenty of exchanges already no longer in operation. The 2025 deadline is the final cut-off point though, and that’s what we’re helping businesses to prepare for.

The PSTN and ISDN lines that are switching off have supported UK homes and businesses for decades. PSTN and ISDN allow you to transmit your voice between two locations, a phone call. PSTN only hosts one call per line at any one time. ISDN is a digital upgrade that allows much more calls at any one time. 

Although some parts of the world don’t even have access to these lines yet, here in the UK they’re widely considered 20th century tech. That’s why BT has made the move to replace them with internet-enabled VoIP and SIP lines.

Luckily there’s a lot of benefits to these new services, and upgrading to them is an easy process.

How will the switch-off affect your business?

The answer to this question really depends on how much you’ve done your homework. If your business still uses landlines, they’ll be switched off by 2025, which could risk you losing your company numbers. The same goes for other services powered by these lines, including access control, CCTV, fax machines and FTTC broadband. 

It’s worth reviewing the systems you currently use to take stock of what relies on traditional lines, or if you aren’t sure, contacting the experts!

What comes after the switch-off?

Your business will have to move away from landlines sooner or later. The real decision is what you switch to. 

Due to the availability of high-speed fibre broadband in the UK, BT has decided that internet-based lines are the way forward. The two options you have available to you are SIP and VoIP lines. 

SIP is great for businesses looking to get ahead of the switch-off without completely overhauling their comms infrastructure. You can even keep your existing phone system. If you want to make some real improvements to your business communications, you’ll want to take a look at VoIP.

VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, is the service that most modern businesses are looking to move over to, if they haven’t already. It allows you to host calls the same way you’d send an email. VoIP has a huge number of benefits, from being able to be accessed from any environment to free calls, to a better sense of scalability.

The benefits to making the switch sooner

It seems like a big change to move to a new communications system, especially if you have a contract already. We believe that the benefits to moving to a modern system can make a real difference for your team, your business and your customers.

Price is what will stand out immediately. Making the switch to an internet-based service means paying one predictable monthly fee for your entire comms infrastructure. That’s everything from your licenses, to maintenance, to any apps or additional services you want to make use of. Capital expenditure is reduced from the outset, with no expensive hardware to purchase or maintain.

Making the switch also allows your business to start embracing flexible working. Over the pandemic we saw how valuable working from home can be for businesses, as long as you have the right equipment supporting you. Our VoIP systems can work just as well from home as they can in the office.

How uCall can help

We’re helping businesses to get ahead of the switch-off. At uCall our team has years of experience with implementing VoIP and cloud communication services. We’ll work alongside your team to review what you already have, work out gaps in your infrastructure and design a tailored solution that fits your needs.

Even if you’d just like some impartial advice on how your business can get ahead, give us a call on 0330 333 5003. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.

How Microsoft Office 365, Teams and SharePoint can streamline your business

Already a world-renowned and extensively used product, Microsoft’s Office 365 has in many ways revolutionised the way we operate in business. Since Covid-19 we have become a far more virtually based business community for obvious reasons, and two features of the paid Office 365 package are Teams and SharePoint. 

Both of these are available as stand-alone products, but when integrated as a part of the whole Office 365 experience they can truly streamline your operations in today’s virtual business environment.

About Office 365

Office 365 is Microsoft’s cloud-based business IT service which replaces some or all of your existing IT, like your email and file servers. It can be accessed on a whole range of devices: PCs, Macs, Windows tablets, iPads, and smartphones (including iPhones). Office 365 has numerous benefits but suffice to say the features it provides can reduce costs, increase agility and drive revenue. 

One of its primary features is that it gives you not previously available capabilities like online video conferencing and file sharing. This is where Teams and SharePoint come in, so what are their individual capabilities?

Teams 

Teams gives you the ability to be highly organised and have conversations all in one place. This is very useful for “internal” collaboration where employees work in different locations.

Some of the benefits are that you can: create teams (or channels) for projects, functions, and file types,  and chat (or message) with members of each team. You can share screens and hold meetings; use both Audio and video conferencing; manage tasks, projects, and workloads and all can be done integrating with other business systems.

A primary benefit though is that you can share and store documents and files and create a document library via SharePoint – so what can SharePoint do?

SharePoint 

SharePoint enables collaboration of workflow, secure sharing and content management. Utilising workflow applications, it can list databases, and other web parts and enables excellent, secure document sharing, content collaboration, intranet capabilities and of course search functionality. 

It is, in essence, a large file storage tool and perfect for businesses with employees that need to collaborate online instead of by phone. Once again as part of Office 365, it integrates easily with other Microsoft Office tools like spreadsheets, presentations and Word documents – and it is a vitally important supportive function of Microsoft Teams.

It is pretty clear how Microsoft office 365, Teams and SharePoint can streamline your business, and because they are all in the cloud and backed up and encrypted by Microsoft, this is not only a streamlined collaboration but a highly secure one!

uCall – we provide!

We hope this advice has been helpful to you and wish to remind you that we at uCall telecoms not only deal with everything relating to telecoms but also offer tailored IT support packages, understanding that each company has its own unique set of needs and requirements. 

We also never forget that your business makes our business, and we love our business so contact us today for advice on any area of telecoms or IT. uCall – we provide!

What is VoIP PBX – and how does it benefit you?

There seems to be some confusion, especially for the uninitiated, about PBX and VoIP phone systems and whether there is any purpose in combining the two. Well, let’s examine each system individually and then look at answering this question – ‘’What is VoIP PBX – and how does it benefit you?” 

What is PBX?

A good definition of a Private Branch Exchange, or PBX, is a phone system used by businesses that connect the desk phones in the office within the same network. Employees can make calls to each other sharing fewer lines. This is possible because instead of the use of physical phone lines, phone calls are redirected via extensions.

Nowadays, with the introduction of IP telephony and ISDN & PSTN switch-off, analogue phone systems, or traditional PBX where physical phone lines are connected through dedicated hardware devices, are becoming pretty much obsolete.

What is VoIP?

We have spoken about this in many of our articles, but essentially VoIP Voice-over-Internet Protocol is used to transmit voice data via an internet connection. A VoIP phone system, therefore, turns your voice into file data, then compresses and converts those files into packets of data. Instantaneously, the packets are sent in real-time over the internet to a VoIP provider who reconverts them and sends them to the other phone.

Good VoIP providers now offer many protocols and codecs to ensure excellent HD audio quality and VoIP solutions work for businesses regardless of size. They are also available as cloud-based systems and for some of the benefits of cloud-based VoIP systems check this out – https://www.ucall.org.uk/services/cloud-telephone-system/

What is VoIP PBX? 

So what happens when these two systems are run in tandem to complement each other? Similar to a standard PBX system, VoIP PBX makes use of a wider area (or local area) network instead of the traditional switched networks or PSTN systems. It is also known as IP PBX.

Set up using hardware, or consisting entirely of installed software, VoIP PBX uses VoIP to switch phone calls between a VoIP user and a landline user, or between two traditional telephone users on local lines. Also available is cloud-based Hosted PBX, which has the benefit of not requiring complex on-site installation and equipment.

What are the benefits of VoIP?

The benefits of using VoIP with a PBX system are numerous…

  • Lower installation and operational costs – Unlike landline setup costs, SIP trunking used in VoIP solutions requires little or none – and because calls are transmitted over an IP network, monthly service fees and call rates are much lower for IP PBX users.
  • Mobile support – Good VoIP PBX service providers offer mobile, web-based, or desktop softphones, so your mobile and P.C become an office extension just like a desktop phone. This is great for multi-location offices and a remote workforce.
  • Enhanced features and unified communication – IP PBX offers a wide range of advanced features like IVR, queue, voicemail, call recording, etc. VoIP solutions also make it possible for you to embrace unified communications. This way, you will be able to enjoy more communication channels and functions.
  • Web-based management and phone compatibility – IP PBX providers usually provide an intuitive web-based management interface allowing easy configuration of the VoIP system and its many features. Furthermore, IP PBX offers a highly compatible PBX phone system that allows you to plug and play most mainstream IP phones as well as use analogue phones via VoIP gateways. 

Consult the experts

If VoIP PBX seems like a good solution for your business, talk to one of the premier providers of VoIP solutions in the UK – uCall telecom. A no-obligation consultation will ascertain exactly what is the best and most cost-effective system for your business regardless of size or requirements.

We love our business and we never forget that your business makes our business! Stay safe – and stay connected!

Seven ways to get the best business broadband

In this month of romance, we are all reminded that communication is the key to successful relationships, and we are only too aware that communication is also the key to the relationships you have with your valued clients. 

Communications that are slowed down or even interrupted therefore can be highly detrimental to your client liaisons, so as providers of broadband services we thought it may be useful to advise on something important.

Seven successful ways to get the best business (or home-based) broadband

  1. Do speed testing – It’s all about speed and as we are only too aware broadband speeds can slow and fluctuate. Is yours up to par? You can test it best by conducting regular tests over a few days. This can be done simply by typing ‘broadband speed test’ to google and many options are given – or speak to us for assistance.
  2. Communicate with your ISP – If you suspect there is a problem with your connection then communication with your ISP should help as they can assist you to fix the problem. Once you’ve established your connection is okay, there are a few other things you can do to improve Broadband efficacy….  
  3. Rethink your router – A new and improved router could greatly assist with streamlined broadband performance! If you are unable to get Wi-fi in your area we can provide you with 4 or 5g routers with speeds for 4g up to 90mbps and 5g 200mbps.
  4. Examine electrical devices – Once you have upgraded to a new and improve router, be aware that certain electrical devices like TVs monitors and speakers, power cords and various lighting like fairy lights, halogen lamps and dimmer switches can all be problematic. So keep your router away from these, raised somewhere and permanently switched on.
  5. Better your browser – Check that the browser you are using is the latest and best available to you, as not only is this better security but it can greatly enhance broadband performance.
  6. Protect your broadband – Anyone can log onto your broadband if your router is not password protected. The simple way to check this is when logging onto an available wireless network, if your network is secure it should show a picture of a padlock next to it. If it doesn’t, then create an effective and secure password. If you’re not sure how to do this, then speak to us. 
  7. Consult the experts the broadband specialists – Through our great partnerships with the leading communication wholesale companies, uCall Telecom can provide you with the best possible connection speeds at the best possible prices. From fast to ultra-fast, please contact us today to see what product would best suit your needs. We have three available business broadband services. These are ‘Single Order Generic Ethernet Access’ (SoGEA) – (An Ethernet cable is a computer networking cable giving you a faster, more reliable connection), ‘Fibre to the premises’ (FTTP) – (a pure fibre connection from the exchange, into your business) and ‘a leased line’ which is a dedicated, fixed-bandwidth data connection.

Visit our Broadband services page to learn more about these and talk to our consultants to ensure that whatever you decide, you will get the best business broadband in 2022!

Keep safe – and keep communicating! 

Cloud-based VoIP and CCTV integration is a perfect match

We live in a world where integration is constantly being pursued. Apple became famous for integrating all of its products so whatever Apple device you use is seamlessly integrated with any other Apple device. This is seen as a great advantage to the products, as we all want things to work together wherever possible.

Smart TVs and smart systems that integrate every computerised device in the home or workplace are no longer pipe dreams but are being deployed by millions today. Another very good example of this is the integration of CCTV cameras with other points of security access as security is a typical area where devices aligned in synchrony can lead to a safer security solution.

As one CCTV expert puts it “Many companies previously used to have numerous different systems to cover different purposes. This included separate systems for CCTV, access control, barriers and gates along with signing in & out. However, it’s now a much more frequent occurrence to make everything more open and interoperable.’’

The result is that systems have been devised that when integrated with access control systems means that CCTV footage can easily be viewed synonymously with the user access data derived from door entry systems. The huge advantage to this is that security employees only need to know a single interface to view multiple systems and they can more expediently gather information. Staff costs are reduced too, as a result of less time spent reviewing footage.

Cloud-based VoIP and CCTV integration

Similarly, because the systems are both computer-based, the entire telecoms system of a company or institution utilising CCTV cameras can be synchronised and integrated with VoIP, so that their intercom phones and mobiles can view the footage of the CCTV cameras simultaneously and remotely.

Schools could greatly benefit 

UCall telecom is very proud of the extensive work we have done for schools and educational institutions and many have experienced simple and seamless migration from an older phone system to VoIP, whether cloud-based or on-premises. As a result, they now enjoy the benefits of using mobile softphones, advanced conferencing capabilities, robust remote location connectivity, and other VoIP and UC features that boost school communications.

This is a typical example of where CCTV integration could be of great benefit too and if door phones, telephone systems and CCTV were all controlled by one system it would be yet another step toward the desired result of total integration of all systems and devices.

One system – one supplier

uCall CCTV installs CCTV for all Business & Residential clients across the UK and uCall telecom gives our customers the benefit of having one supplier who provides pro-active account management and support for all your telephone, IT and mobile services, just like an extension of your own business.

We are here to listen advise and deploy the best solution for you, and we do believe that Cloud-based VoIP and CCTV integration is a perfect match – and one step closer to a single perfectly synchronised system! Contact us for a no-obligation consultation for all your telecommunications needs, and remember your business makes our business, and we love our business!

Upgrade to a Cloud-based VoIP solution before the big BT switch off!

Well, it’s finally happening – landlines will become a thing of the past and, as with many other forms of technology that are changing at lightning speed, this will happen in the next few years.

This is a wake-up call for the over 2 million businesses in the UK still using ISDN and PSTN systems. These are already no longer available to purchase, and BT have announced that they will do a complete switch by 2025.

One industry news provider put it this way, “BT has announced that it’s going ahead with plans that would see its existing public switched telephone network (PSTN) shut down in favour of having all phone calls be made using VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol, or cloud phone) systems.” 

There is sound reasoning behind this in terms of BT remaining abreast of telecommunications technology changes. Catering to what, in recent times, has become public demand for a switch to Cloud-based VoIP systems. It simply makes sense therefore to upgrade to a Cloud-based VoIP solution before the big BT switch off!

The benefits of the BT switch off 

Feeling forced into the change? It is worth bearing in mind the numerous benefits to the UK, BT itself, businesses, schools, and other institutions if a VoIP system is introduced.

BT will no longer have to maintain the archaic existing network, allowing them to concentrate time and spend on our broadband system. This focus on broadband and the creation of faster fibre will in turn benefit VoIP, which will benefit everyone. 

Benefits of a Cloud-based system

Cloud-based VoIP has even more distinct advantages in the form of:

  • Predictable costs  – allowing businesses to budget more accurately.
  • Cost savings – on free mobile calls locally, nationally and in the UK. No expensive setups of onsite hardware to buy or maintain and no costly general maintenance charges.
  • Working remotely – Plug the phone into any internet connection and it works just as it does in the office. Your extension number and direct dial numbers work as if you’re in the office. Your outbound calls also dial out from you school or business number.

uCall – we listen, advise and provide

uCall Telecoms take great pride in being an outsourced communications provider that becomes a part of your business. We listen to you, advising on, and providing customised solutions, regardless of your size or structure.

Our advice right now, to any business or school, operating ISDN and PSTN systems is to effect the change to a Cloud-based VoIP system as soon as possible. The sooner you do it, the more cost-effective it will be for you. Enjoy the benefits of a VOIP system that helps you maintain costs, gives greater flexibility, and keeps you connected.

Contact us for a no-obligation consultation – and remember your business makes our business, and we love our business!