Since the announcement of the partnership between Mitel and RingCentral several months ago, we've kept you up to date with the next steps and how to accomplish your business communication goals for the future. We'd advised Mitel customers looking to move to the cloud not to panic.
While we certainly aren't promoting mass hysteria, we want to point out that the time has come to decide on your next UCaaS platform.
What's changed? Nothing (cloud-based platforms are still an excellent choice for any business) and a lot (read on). Here are eight good reasons to begin the process of moving to the cloud or a new cloud provider right now:
Reason #1: Price Increases for MiCloud Customers
Mitel announced price increases for MiCloud Connect, Flex, Business, and Office customers that will take effect in June of 2022, and they're a hefty 31.9%. In addition to that, we've recently learned due to the increased cost of development and support of their software products, software support rates will increase by around 5%. Expect more to come in the face of phasing out this product line as we’re already hearing about soaring pricing for future support contracts.
Reason #2: On-Prem Systems are Cost Prohibitive
On-prem systems typically cost more overall. For one, fewer customers use them, which drives up pricing. Secondly, housing equipment and hardware on-site are more expensive than a cloud-based communications platform where secure off-site data centers store information.
Reason #3: Legacy PBX Equipment is Hard to Maintain
Think about this—if you have an old VCR from the 90s and it breaks down today, who can you call to fix it? There are a limited number of options because the technology is obsolete. And if you do find someone, will they be able to find parts that are no longer produced? You’re forced to incur these added expenses when using legacy phone systems.
Reason #4: Limits Flexibility Needed for Remote Working
No longer tied to the office, employees need communication tools that go with them no matter where they work. Organizations require flexibility to scale with the times and meet communication demands in a highly competitive environment. A legacy PBX system cannot adapt to these modern working requirements and may leave your company unable to meet customer demand.
Reason #5: EoS/EoL Announcements Make Future Questionable
Some may argue that Connect's viability has already passed. Mitel has announced the End-of-Sales (EoS) date for Mitel Cloud Connect is June 30th, 2022. While an End-of-Life (EoL) date hasn't been publicized, they are rapidly winding down the platform and laying off key executive leadership. Furthermore, all research and development have stopped while service levels have declined.
Reason #6: Lacks Critical Features of a Modern Communications Platform
Aside from being flexible, cloud-based platforms have an advantage over on-prem systems regarding collaboration, productivity, and efficiency. Access to messaging, video, and phone is available on one application on any device, anywhere with an internet connection. Your team has information at their fingertips and the ability to reach each other in real-time when the need arises.
Reason #7: Outdated Interface Doesn't Click with Younger Workers
While it's beneficial for all employees to have the best tools to perform optimally, younger users, in particular, may have challenges when faced with an outdated interface that hinders productivity. Obsolete communication tools could cause frustration, burnout, and lower job satisfaction, leading to higher turnover rates.
Reason #8: On-Prem Systems No Longer Meet the Needs of Today's Customer
Just as important as keeping staff satisfied, customers are no longer content with antiquated avenues for connection. 90% of customers expect your reps to know their history no matter how they reach out. Your competitive edge may come down to how well you provide options for your customers to reach you through various channels, from self-service interactions to text, video, voice, chat, and more.
Premise chip shortages, continued security vulnerabilities, rate increases, and deteriorated support offerings to its partners and clients mean the time to migrate is now. If you have questions about how that works, contact us.
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