Do people still talk to each other on the old dog and bone? In these days of instant messaging and Zoom calls, sometimes it can feel like the art of the phone conversation is becoming a lost one. 

However, when you need to close that big deal, check in with a colleague you haven't spoken with in a while, or just have an honest and open chat with someone, 'sliding into their DMs' just won't cut it. You need to pick up the blower. And when you do, you need to know you have a phone system you can rely on.

As many of us now work at least some of the time from home, the office phone system has had to adapt, and like most things these days, this technology has moved to the cloud - in what is known as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). In simple terms, this means no costly and cumbersome on-site equipment as everything is hosted virtually for you and can easily be accessed via your various devices, such as your laptop and smartphone.

There are many VoIP systems to choose from, so doing so is easier said than done. But don't worry, help is at hand! We've put together this handy guide, which will help you compare 3 of the best around, namely Cisco Webex, Teams and Wildix phone systems.

Microsoft Teams

Introduced in November 2016, Microsoft Teams is primarily an instant messaging service that includes integrated VoIP services. It is available for Windows 10 users with an Office 365 subscription plan or on the web via browser access.

Handy features include automatic transcription based on speech-to-text technology through Cortana, so users can quickly create documents and access files through numerous apps such as Power BI, Microsoft Graph, and Sharepoint.

For offices that already rely heavily on the Microsoft Office suite of applications, Teams is a compelling choice, however, Mac users would need another platform or single-purpose app to do their work.

At a glance, people love Microsoft Teams for its:

• Calendar and email tools

• Integrations with Microsoft 365 and third-party apps

• Advanced video tools like virtual backgrounds

• Direct routing features

• Built-in authentication protocols for security

Cisco Webex

First released in 2001, Cisco Webex is a video conferencing and collaboration platform that has become a popular choice, particularly with large businesses. It is available as a web-based service for all devices as well as an app for both Android and iOS users. The app allows users to join meetings, share content, and record meetings. For larger groups of people, up to 100 participants, Cisco offers its "Webex Teams" product which includes features such as messaging, file sharing, and calling.

One of the biggest benefits of using Cisco Webex is that it has been around much longer than Microsoft Teams and therefore has had more time to perfect its features. It also has many more apps integrated into the platform making it easier for users to access all of their work files in one place. Unfortunately, Cisco doesn't have a system in place that would allow both Android and iOS users to join meetings at the same time which can be limiting depending on your team's needs.

At a glance, people love Cisco Webex for its:

• Virtual whiteboarding

• Call recording and transcriptions

• Screen sharing features with annotation options

• Enterprise-grade security

• Third-party integrations with apps like Salesforce and G-Suite

Wildix PBX

Wildix is an IP-PBX phone system predominantly aimed at small to medium-sized businesses (up to 50 users). It allows users to manage calls, hold video conferences and message each other through its cloud service. Because it was created with VoIP technology in mind, it works seamlessly across multiple devices including Windows PCs, Macs, Linux machines, smartphones (iOS and Android), tablets (Android and iOS), and even conference rooms with video conferencing systems.

One of the biggest benefits of using Wildix is that it is a fully cloud-based service, which makes it easily scalable to businesses of any size. It is also very affordable when compared to other VoIP phone systems and collaboration platforms. Additionally, Wildix offers a wide range of features such as voicemail, music on hold, call queues, and more that are not found in Cisco Webex or Microsoft Teams. The only downside to using Wildix is that it can be difficult to set up for those who are not tech-savvy. What's more, it doesn't have the same widespread adoption as Cisco or Microsoft products, which could lead to some collaboration issues.

At a glance, people love Wildix for its:

• Easy-to-use webinar & video conference features

• Browser-based audio, video, chat and desktop sharing collaboration

• Smart remote working solutions

• Evolved live chat functionality 

Cisco Webex, Teams and Wildix phone systems: Which one should you choose?

To summarise, all of these systems have pros and cons. If you are looking for a platform with many integrated apps, Cisco Webex is a sound choice. If your business relies heavily on Microsoft's software, then Teams makes a lot of sense. If you are looking for an affordable system that can grow with your business, Wildix is a great option. 

If you're still feeling a bit lost, don't worry, contact us today and one of our friendly team members will be able to advise you on the best option for your business. In the meantime, if you want to learn more about the latest developments in the world of VoIP and PBX, why not sign up for our mailing list?