Open Forum

We have reached the limitations of our current on-premises phone system, which is over 20 years old. As a result, we are looking to replace it. In addition, we plan to build a new facility in about 3 years. The exact requirements for the new site are still in the very early stages, so we are considering a cloud-based phone system.

I would appreciate any insights you might have based on your experience with cloud-based systems. We would love to hear about your experiences, both good and not-so-good, and, if you are comfortable doing so, mentioning the vendor would be helpful.

Thank you!

Hi James,

We moved to Zoom about 3 years ago.  We started our license through TechSoup and recently renewed directly with Zoom.  Initially, we licensed phones from Zoom, but determined it would be easier for us to purchase our own units.  We have two lines and three phones; our gift shop phone and research library phone take calls from our main line; and the phone in my office takes calls for both the main line and the director's line (option 3 or direct dial).  Our phones are cordless and include transfer options, panic buttons, etc.  We can expand the system with up to 6 additional lines. I can answer calls and manage the system using my cell phone or my computer.  Our license also includes a Zoom meeting room. My volunteers - mostly seniors - adapted very quickly. I also appreciate being able to change our "closed" message from home (weather emergencies).

Happy to answer any questions you may have. 

We have reached the limitations of our current on-premises phone system, which is over 20 years old. As a result, we are looking to replace it. In addition, we plan to build a new facility in about 3 years. The exact requirements for the new site are still in the very early stages, so we are considering a cloud-based phone system.

I would appreciate any insights you might have based on your experience with cloud-based systems. We would love to hear about your experiences, both good and not-so-good, and, if you are comfortable doing so, mentioning the vendor would be helpful.

Thank you!

We have reached the limitations of our current on-premises phone system, which is over 20 years old. As a result, we are looking to replace it. In addition, we plan to build a new facility in about 3 years. The exact requirements for the new site are still in the very early stages, so we are considering a cloud-based phone system.

I would appreciate any insights you might have based on your experience with cloud-based systems. We would love to hear about your experiences, both good and not-so-good, and, if you are comfortable doing so, mentioning the vendor would be helpful.

Thank you!

My biggest concern with phone systems is always about how the phones get the power they require to operate. When we switched to VoIP, we had to keep our emergency phones in our storage areas as hard lines. The hard lines won't die if the power goes out. It's a safety measure.

Our desk phones are through Teams on our computers - and the sound of a Teams call is the sound that haunts my nightmares. Sure it doesn't ring if I'm in a meeting, but Teams on my cell sure does when I'm using my cell for a phone call. The system is frustrating to silence once it is ringing. Sometimes, for reasons I have yet to discover, Teams switches my microphone from the one that exists on my computer to one that doesn't exist - so sometimes when I answer a call, the caller can't hear me. If you decide to use Teams for phone service, I strongly suggest purchasing phones instead of relying on laptops (it's deceptive, because Teams markets the service as no need for the additional cost of the phone - but anyone who receives regular calls will want a phone.)

We have reached the limitations of our current on-premises phone system, which is over 20 years old. As a result, we are looking to replace it. In addition, we plan to build a new facility in about 3 years. The exact requirements for the new site are still in the very early stages, so we are considering a cloud-based phone system.

I would appreciate any insights you might have based on your experience with cloud-based systems. We would love to hear about your experiences, both good and not-so-good, and, if you are comfortable doing so, mentioning the vendor would be helpful.

Thank you!

We have reached the limitations of our current on-premises phone system, which is over 20 years old. As a result, we are looking to replace it. In addition, we plan to build a new facility in about 3 years. The exact requirements for the new site are still in the very early stages, so we are considering a cloud-based phone system.

I would appreciate any insights you might have based on your experience with cloud-based systems. We would love to hear about your experiences, both good and not-so-good, and, if you are comfortable doing so, mentioning the vendor would be helpful.

Thank you!