Landline exchange or telephone exchange in the cloud?

Many companies are now opting for a telephone exchange in the cloud. Traditional copper lines are coming to the end of their useful life and will soon be phased out, leading to the digitisation of communication methods. Solutions such as Cloud Pabx are interesting, especially for small businesses. The ease of use and installation, the scalability and the costs are unbeatable. Discover the differences between a traditional telephone exchange and a cloud telephone exchange.

1 - Fixed telephone exchange VS telephone exchange in the cloud.

With a fixed telephone exchange (PBX), the hardware and software are located in your company building. The various telephones are connected to the exchange by cables. Maintenance and updates are then carried out on site.

In contrast, in the case of a cloud-based telephone exchange, you no longer make calls via fixed lines and a physical telephone exchange, but via the Internet. You then use an IP address and can also connect other IP devices such as a PC or smartphone to the exchange via the Orange Cloud Phone mobile application.

2 - Fixed telephone exchange VS telephone exchange in the cloud: installation.

The installation of a cloud-based PBX is done by the operator simply and quickly whereas a fixed PBX takes more time and can be much more complex. This is because the cloud solution is available for multiple sites, whereas a fixed exchange is required for one company site, although they can be interconnected. Furthermore, in case of relocation, specialists have to disconnect and reconnect the fixed exchange. By using a virtual exchange, you don't have to worry about this: it follows you everywhere at all times and without additional installation.

The maintenance of a virtual exchange will then be carried out by Orange on an ongoing basis without you having to worry about it. In contrast, the maintenance of a fixed exchange located in your building will have to be carried out by you.

The cloud solution has one advantage: its scalability. Indeed, adding and removing lines is effortless, unlike a fixed exchange, where removing and adding lines is more complex and expensive.

3 - Fixed exchange VS cloud exchange: usage.

Fixed telephone exchange

A traditional telephone exchange has separate networks for voice and data. The devices therefore often use separate channels.

The available features are usually limited:

• Voicemail

• Voice messages

• Conferences

• Fax functionalities

• …

It is less obvious to adapt the fixed exchange to the changing business environment.

The sound quality is always optimal because you use fixed lines. The cloud makes it possible to connect all the devices together. This way, they form a large network. All employees are therefore optimally accessible.

Cloud telephone exchange

In addition to the traditional functionalities, the cloud also allows:

• Telephone meetings

• Chat

• Team messages and collaborative work

• Screen sharing

• File sharing

• Mobile apps

• Video conferencing

The Pabx Cloud grows with your business.

You get great sound quality if your business uses reliable Ethernet, mobile and Wi-Fi connections.

4 - What about security?

Fixed telephone exchange

Traditional exchanges are analogue in nature. Although more and more exchanges are IP-based, extra security is recommended.

Traditional exchanges are reliable because they do not require an internet connection: they continue to function in case of a power failure.

New IP exchanges and IP connections (IP-ISDN or SIP), however, use the internet.

Cloud telephone exchange

A cloud exchange requires stricter security than a fixed exchange. Endpoint protection, firewalls and encryption are a requirement for any digital application. Orange is committed to providing a wide range of security solutions.

Cloud Pabx exchanges are regularly updated to ensure security.

Cloud solutions may be inaccessible during a power outage. A backup power supply is recommended.

In the event of an internet outage, Orange has automatic 4G back-up, so all devices connected to the Pabx cloud continue to function without interruption.

5 - What about the budget?

Fixed telephone exchange

Installation: Hardware costs and installation are considerable.

Maintenance: Maintenance costs are still quite high. Every maintenance has to be done by an IT specialist.

Fees: The costs are usually based on a pay-per-seat basis. You pay for the use per employee, regardless of consumption.

Telephone exchange in the cloud

Installation: The costs are limited: everything is done in the cloud.

Maintenance: The maintenance of the virtual telephone exchange is limited but also included in your monthly subscription. Maintenance does not require specific knowledge or an IT specialist.

Costs: You pay a monthly subscription per employee, all depending on their usage (OpEX, operating expenses).