With today's technology, a telephone seems like the electronic equivalent to a can on a string. With the inclusion of Internet technology, telephone systems have changed to a new world called "telephony solutions." These systems are evolving to embrace startup needs, such as making them seem more professional by offering easy ways for them to transfer calls, have hold music and have videoconferencing. Telephony solutions also don't require as much capital and are scalable, helping startups grow. According to Infonetics Research, cloud-based telephony solutions can help your startup succeed because of benefits in four domains:

1. Business Continuity

The Small Business Administration lists lack of planning as one of the top seven reasons that startups fail. It recommends that all businesses have a business plan, and one of the components of a good business plan is an identification of strategies for potential crises that may stop business. This may be as small as an accident that closes your street for the day to as large as a hurricane that devastates your state.

Incorporating a smartphone with strong connectivity to a cloud-based telephony system can save your business in times of environmental adversity. Cloud systems are off-site, generally in locations far from your business, so they are unlikely to be affected. As long as you have a telephone connection, you have access to your clients, vendors and internal documentation, so you can keep your startup moving or, at a minimum, let your people know your plans.

2. Refocusing Staff

Most businesses have processes hardwired into their organization of the company. Reports are printed for review. Meetings happen every week. Emails are sent and received from a desktop computer. Although these processes keep the wheels turning, they also can impede growth and staff effectiveness.

Cloud-based telephony refocuses your staff and gives them the opportunity to make immediate changes and direct contacts during the work day. If you are the sole employee of your startup, then you need the flexibility to do things differently. Cloud services allow for sharing software and resources with other small business owners. These cloud systems, called Software as a Service (SaaS), give you access to programs that may have been unavailable due to cost. This way you can focus on expanding your business.

3. Location Flexibility

Arguably the greatest advantage of cloud telephony is that it lets you work from anywhere without changes to the schedule or operation. Being able to work from anywhere has both financial and health benefits for small businesses. If you are a work-from-home parent, moving your location from your home to a café to a client’s office saves you money on an office rental and child care. It also gives you a much-needed change of scenery. With cloud telephony, you get to move around without changing your customer’s perception, since, from their point of view, you are always available and working.

4. Scalability

To have an in-house telephone and network system requires a large outlay of capital and server space. Even if you cannot use the system to its fullest capability, you have to pay for all of it. Cloud-based telephonic platforms are scalable, letting you pay for what you use. In some cases, this also can apply to software packages. Scalable cloud functioning makes it possible for small businesses to have the same power as large companies, but at a fraction of the cost.