Review Overview
RingCentral Office is a cloud-based business phone system that uses both call management and phone systems to provide you with a complete business offering from phone calls and faxes to conference calls and smartphones.
This is another PBX option that requires no hardware and can be setup quickly.
RingCentral also offers an IP phone service for you that comes pre-configured and ready for you to use. This is a VOIP phone system, meaning it uses your Internet connection to place all calls, faxes, and other services.
PBX Focus
RingCentral allows you to set up an enterprise-class service for voice, text, call handling and forwarding, waiting, mobile apps, and support for the smartphones that your employees use. The reason that it has grown so popular in the business space is that it can integrate with popular systems used to manager customer information, document storage systems, and digital fax systems. Top integration partners include Salesforce, Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft Outlook. The service uses your Internet connection to manage the phone and related systems. You’ll need to plug in an IP desk phone into your PC to use its Internet connection; for mobile devices you download the RingCentral Mobile App. This gives you access to the RingCentral software so you can perform its main features such as voice calls, faxing, texting (SMS), conferencing, and even video meetings if your computer features a Webcam and a powerful processor.
Available Phone Numbers
RingCentral allows you to choose toll-free numbers or local phone numbers for your business. This includes a vanity phone number when available. RingCentral can work with local phone numbers in 200 different area codes. You’ll also get directory numbers with free publication of your business information in the local and national directories that RingCentral works with around the nation. The most common directory used is the 4-1-1 call for information.
Cloud PBX
RingCentral offers you a full PBX experience without any need to install PBX hardware in your office. It’s all done virtually, so your account and controls live in the cloud. This also means you can manage your operations no matter where you are today.
Included in the cloud PBX service are:
- Auto-receptionist to greet callers, identifies them, and directs their calls. This is a 24/7 service and can deliver specific messages when your offices are closed due to business hours or vacations.
- Multi-level IVR that allows callers to navigate through a quick menu to get to the right person.
- User templates so you can quickly add multiple people to the same division. This saves time when you’re bringing in new staff.
- Call reports with analytics to drive business intelligence.
- Hold music.
- Extensions for each employee, office and/or division.
- Dial-by-name directory.
Uniform Control
One thing that sets RingCentral apart from many competitors is that you can manage all of your business operations from within its smartphone app. That means no matter where you are, you can control access, phone numbers, and your storage. For non-owners, they can choose to use the app for their own phone line within your business. This means your sales teams who go out into the field will always be available at a phone number tied to your business. Mobile users can also check business voicemail, send or receive faxes, and join HD video conferences.
Cloud Protection
RingCentral doesn’t store any information on mobile devices, so your data isn’t at risk. That means if an employee loses his phone, you’re safe because the person who finds the phone would have to have the login information to access anything. As soon as someone loses their phone, you can instantly stop that account or number from accessing your data, so you’re looking at no loss of any customer information or business plans.
Setting Up Your Service
To start the service, you’ll go to the company’s website and sign up for an account. After that you select your pricing and plan. Next, you’ll go about providing information for each of your employees as well as your business information. Thankfully, you’ll get a specialist who will walk you through the entire process, making it easy to manage workers who are in the field as well as those in your office. You’ll speak with the representative and determine how many phones to install. If you don’t have IP-capable phones already in your office, you can rent these phones from RingCentral at relatively low prices. Smartphones can download and install the RingCentral app to use it for free. If you’re moving over an existing phone line or ordering new phones, the representative can also walk you through this process. This includes ordering a toll-free vanity phone number. All of this is setup online and can be managed through the company’s website.
Additional Services
The phone service offered by RingCentral is a VoIP platform so you need an Internet connection to access it but you don’t need a PBX installation. The VoIP platform allows you to manage everything from the Web and create online departments to manage the calls. Part of its call management means that you can establish department permissions, set call schedules for employees, and turn the system automatically to an off position when it is outside of work hours or call schedules. You can also set up how your information is displayed when you call someone, such as business name and number. RingCentral also offers Polycom and Cisco phones for your business to use. These models include presence-enabled phones and will come RingCentral Plug & Ring® ready. Models also include conference phones, cordless phones, and adapters for non-digital phones to help them support your RingCentral system.
Other services listed by the company include:
Pricing Models
RingCentral offers three different pricing platforms. These are all a per-user cost, so it’s best to consider your need before ramping up to a larger program. The prices listed also may change from this depending on the number of users you have. Ring Central Office is your main office system for a large operation, while Ring Central Professional is right for your super-small office. There’s also a separate option just for your faxing needs. A 30-day free trial is available to new subscribers with 2 or more users. Any free trial hardware must be returned within 21 days of cancellation in order to avoid charges.
1. RingCentral Office
Your Ring Central Office service comes with a lot of benefits and a lot of options. Here’s a breakdown of the differences among your plans.
All of the plans include:
- Single Web call management and phone administration
- Mobile apps
- Unlimited calling
- Unlimited conferencing, faxing, and business SMS
- US-based support and implementation
- Software integrations,
- Call log reports
2. RingCentral Professional
Ring Central Professional is designed to work for small offices with a few different pricing options:
For all Professional-level subscribers, you’ll get the following features:
- Inbound call management
- Use with any existing phone system
- Toll free or local number for voice + fax
- Voicemail with free email delivery
- Internet fax
- Advanced call forwarding
- Auto-receptionist
- Flexible answering rules
- Call queues
- Mobile phone integration
3. RingCentral Fax
RingCentral also offers a shared fax number for your business. All of these are shared between employees and come with digital backups for everything you send and receive. Not only do you get a toll-free or vanity fax, dedicated number and app support, but these options can integrate with your existing PCs, corporate directories, and common business software. The plan differences include:
The Fax Unlimited plan uses a dedicated fax number for each employee and offers administrator controls. This is great for large enterprises but will quickly scale in cost – often too fast for small businesses that don’t need a lot of faxes.
Extras For All
If you’re looking for extras, there are also a few things you can do to customize your account. For an additional $4.99 per month you can add an additional toll-free or local number. You can also add an additional fax number for $4.99 each month. If you want to get an additional vanity number, you’ll pay a $30 one-time fee so you can have the best 1-800-BIZ-NAME for your operations.
Is It Right for You?
RingCentral is a very feature-rich offering. It’s great for small businesses that want to grow services and load up at a low cost. However, costs rise with each new user so be prepared when you add new lines. You’ll get a lot of support for a BYOD workplace and it offers integration with popular business software. If you need an enterprise-level PBX platform, this can be a great option. Those who need a virtual assistant or the ability to manage office and road workers in one fell swoop will find the service especially pleasing. When you hit the mid-sized business level or higher, it’s time to check your options and consider an upgrade from the basic platform or a move to a larger system.
Pros
- Very simple to work with. Easy on PCs and mobiles.
- Customers are extremely pleased with its service.
- Lots of options and price points to get exactly what you need.
- Setup is incredibly simple.
- User templates are easy and work well.
- Very sophisticated system without the need for special phones.
- Supports a wide range of mobiles.
- Allows for full mobile control.
- An incredibly large list of services for the price.
- Price is good for large organizations.
- System issues are very rare.
Cons
- Interface is very different so it has a learning curve.
- While templates exist, changes (such as permissions) can’t be applied in bulk.
- UI becomes difficult with a large number of employees.
- Can slow down overall Internet traffic.
- Connection depends on Internet access so it may not always be available.
- Costs rise quickly for small businesses that are growing.
- Some of its accounts have been compromised in the past.
Final Say
RingCentral offers an incredible array of options and pricing. You’ll get a great cloud-based service that scales well. Every service you need with advanced features and a full support platform. It’s very easy to use when you have a small office and you’ll get very consistent service. For larger offices and enterprises, the systems may become too cumbersome because bulk changes and adjustments are not easy to perform. Click To Enter RingCentral Website