Compare Phone System Types

On PremiseCloud / HostedHybrid
Auto AttendantYesYesYes
BluetoothOptionalOptionalOptional
Call AccountingOptionalYesOptional
Call ForwardingYesYesYes
Call RecordingYesOptionalOptional
Caller IDYesYesYes
Conference BridgeIncluded in some systemsOptionalIncluded in some systems
CRM IntegrationOptionalOptionalOptional
Customizable Music / Commercial On HoldIncluded in some systemsYesIncluded in some systems
Headset ConnecivityYesYesYes
Integrated Cordless PhonesYesYesYes
Mobile IntegrationOptionalOptionalOptional
Multi LocationYesYesYes
Music On HoldYesYesYes
Online PortalNoYesNo
Paging SystemsYesOptionalYes
Quick PageYesNoYes
Smart Phone APPYesYesYes
Soft Phone – Answer Calls from PCYesYesYes
Supports Conference PhonesYesYesYes
Video ConferencingOptionalOptionalOptional
Virtual AnswerYesNoYes
Visual Voice MailYesNoYes
Voice MailYesYesYes
Voice Mail to EmailYesYesYes
Wireless Business PhonesYesNoYes
Wireless Conference PhonesYesOptionalYes

Still Need Help Deciding?

Here are five questions that can help you determine what system might be right for you.

1. Does your company focus on long-term or short-term expenses?

  • On-Premise:
    • After three years of use, tends to be a better value
    • Large one-time purchase and own
  • Cloud:
    • First year expenses are generally lower
    • Smaller ongoing monthly payments

2. Do you have IT resources?

  • On-Premise:
    • Your IT team will assume responsibility
    • Local Applications and data
    • Locally administrated systems
    • Do-it-yourself upgrades
  • Cloud:
    • Provider will be responsible for fixing issues
    • Offsite applications and data
    • Reduced system administration needs
    • Provider Manages Upgrades

3. How is your company setup?

  • On-Premise:
    • One main office or building
    • Localized Upgrades
    • Storage and network already in place
  • Cloud:
    • Multiple offices and/or buildings
    • Upgrade Process is Simpler
    • Private cloud connection or reliable and secure internet required

4. Do you need to integrate your phone system?

  • On-Premise:
    • Multiple integrations
    • Growing and intricate
    • Changing with communication both ways
  • Cloud:
    • Few, or no integrations
    • Specific and known
    • Fixed and uni-directional

5. Has your company had experience with Cloud?

  • On-Premise:
    • Little to no experience with Cloud
    • Business software is installed locally
    • Cloud applications are seen as risky
  • Cloud:
    • You’re currently using other cloud services
    • Cloud model is understood and accepted
    • Management approves support for Cloud

NW Telecom Systems