In today’s manufacturing environment, communication is essential and always will be. In fact, during the pandemic, workers in manufacturing plants were considered essential workers and still reported to their jobs in person. This means dependable phone systems will always be a key asset to any manufacturing plant, as they enable employees to communicate with customers, suppliers, and partners. Not to mention internal employees. But technology has advanced, and the types of phone systems available have also advanced. How do you decide which is the best for your plant?
In this post, we’ll look at the different phone systems for manufacturing and which is the best to implement.
Types of Phone Systems for Manufacturing
Traditional PBX Systems
The traditional PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is still the most common among manufacturers. It’s tried and true. These phone systems for manufacturing are on-premises, and the IT team or a third-party IT vendor maintains the phone system hardware. A traditional PBX can handle the essential functions and enables manufacturers to manage multiple phone lines, transfer calls, and receive voicemails. A few drawbacks to these systems are the installation, maintenance, purchasing expenses and the fact that they’re quickly becoming outdated. As technology advances, PBX systems will become obsolete and need to be replaced. So, it’d be best to consider another option instead of choosing an outdated technology and upgrading it in the next year or so.
Hosted PBX Systems
Hosted PBX systems are managed and deployed by a telecom provider, like Nortec Communications. The service provider hosts the phone system in their data centers, which means there’s no need for additional in-house staff to maintain the phone system.
Hosted PBX systems also offer a variety of features:
- Smart call routing
- Call recording
- Advanced call analytics and reporting
- Integrations with other systems
Hosted PBX systems traditionally use a subscription model and charge per user. The costs are consistent, and you know exactly what you are paying for every month.
VoIP Systems
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems are like traditional phone systems but use the internet to make and receive calls. Like a hosted PBX, they are maintained by the provider, thus reducing costs for hardware and service. The VoIP provider typically charges per user, and adding and removing users is easy. The only hardware that you might need is the phones themselves.
What are the Best Phone Systems for a Manufacturer?
A cloud-based phone system is best for manufacturers in today’s business climate. The benefits and features of a cloud-based phone system future-proof the company and enable its employees to take advantage of time-saving features – resulting in increased productivity. Keep reading to learn about all the benefits manufacturers can enjoy with a cloud-based phone system.
Benefits of Cloud-Based Phone Systems for Manufacturing
Below are the two most significant benefits for manufacturers, in our opinion. They are things no traditional phone system won’t be able to provide.
Disaster Recovery and Redundancy
Unfortunately, we’re seeing increased manufacturing plants succumb to explosions and unforeseen shutdowns. If a manufacturing plant uses a traditional phone system, the employees cannot access any of its online systems or contacts outside the plant. Your plant risks losing business and revenue if no one can reach you. A cloud-based phone system offers disaster recovery capabilities and is accessible anywhere, even during unexpected downtime. This ensures that everyone can communicate with suppliers and customers. The service provider hosts the phone system on their servers, which are backed up constantly. They’re also redundant, so if one server goes down, another picks up the slack.
Scalability
Manufacturers can go through ebbs and flows in call volume and may experience seasonal peaks and valleys. Cloud phone systems are scalable, which allows manufacturers to add and remove users and accommodate demand. Adding and removing users is as simple as accessing a web-based portal, and with a few clicks in the administrator menu, you can make the changes in seconds. Add new features as you need them, including call recording or advanced reporting.
Nortec Communications and Phone Systems for Manufacturing
Migrating to a cloud-based phone system is simple with Nortec Communications. We’ve implemented cloud-based phone solutions for several industries, including manufacturing. Our experts are here to answer all your questions and will ensure we find a solution that fits your needs. Contact us today, and let’s start the conversation.
