One of the first things a new company must do is apply for a company phone number. As many office functions have gone to the cloud, Cloud PBX is the logical choice for the modern business. With cloud PBX you now have a choice between a legacy phone number or a cloud phone number.
Common questions about cloud phone numbers:
- What is a cloud phone number and why is it better?
- What is the difference between a cloud number and a legacy phone number?
What is a cloud phone number?
To a caller, a cloud phone number appears the same as a legacy fixed line phone number. But, since it operates in the cloud on the internet, it does not require a physical phone connection or on-premise equipment to work.
Should my startup use a cloud number or mobile phone numbers?
Mobile number
Because of the ease of acquiring a mobile number, some startups use a group of mobile numbers for customer and vendor communication. There are two problems with this approach:
1. Mobile numbers do not appear professional or official to the other caller. For all but the smallest SOHO, this is not a good choice.
2. Most businesses require PBX functions, such as having an auto-attendant or a receptionist direct calls to team members.
Cloud number with district prefix
Most businesses that choose a legacy phone number do so because it provides a professional number that is not mistaken as spam or fraudulent. Legacy numbers also include a district prefix, so people know where you are located. Usually, it is also connected to a PBX so the entire team can share the same company number.
Numbers with 070 prefix
Numbers with a 070 prefix can also be connected to a PBX, but if people are not familiar with your number they will suspect it is a spam or fraudulent call and may not answer.
The difference between an EVOX cloud number and the traditional telecom number
Cloud numbers are becoming even more popular than legacy fixed line numbers as the service matures and the advantages become clear. Early cloud numbers came with an +886 country code, but now businesses can request a district prefix just like a legacy fixed line number.
Let’s take a look at the differences.
1. Installation
▍With a legacy local phone number you need to schedule a telecom company technician to come to your office and install a physical phone line.
▍With an EVOX cloud number there is no phone line or installation, which means no costly technicians and the ability to plan your office space without physical restrictions.
2. Channel capacity
▍A legacy local phone number provides one service line (channel), which means that only one extension can make a call at a time. If you need to allow more than one extension to call simultaneously, extra lines must be added and additional charges will apply.
▍An EVOX basic cloud number service already contains multiple channels to fit the needs of most customers. In the rare case it is needed, additional channels can be purchased.
3. Office moves
▍Between packing and relocating personnel and office hardware and equipment, moving an office is expensive. With a traditional telephone line, there are the additional costs of designing and installing the system at the new location.
▍EVOX cloud numbers can be used anywhere with no location limit and no need to redo system settings when you move.
More info：
Cloud PBX allows you to move your office without changing your phone number or moving equipment4. Upfront cost
▍Traditional local phone number require a contract and upfront costs including a deposit. If your company requires international calling, the outbound call rate is expensive.
▍EVOX provides more flexibility with monthly or annual payment options. The international outbound rate is cheaper than traditional telecommunications, in particular the rates for calling China, the US, and Canada are significantly less expensive.
Other applications for cloud numbers
1. DID for sales or service staff
A DID numbers allow callers to quickly reach a branch location, an individual, or a department (Sales, Support, or Human Resources) without going through the operator.
2. Free calling between extensions
EVOX provides multi-location management services, which allow you to route call traffic to all the stores, branches, or offices with one central automated attendant system or receptionist. In addition, phone services for all the locations can be managed by a single system administrator on the EVOX web admin site. There are also no phone charges when branches call each other.
3. Digital FAX
A cloud number can also be used as a digital FAX number. Convenient and green, you can send and receive faxes with a mobile device or PC without wasting paper or waiting for the fax machine.
