Generally, we are able to port or transfer most of our customers’ phone numbers whether they are toll-free numbers or local area code numbers. It is very rare for us to encounter a particular phone number that cannot be ported to our cloud-based VoIP phone system platform.

A technical ability is not required to manage your cloud phone system. Any user, technical or non-technical has the ability to easily access, manage and control their own settings and features by logging into their online portal, which is provided, supported and hosted by Layer Seven.

We pre-configure and install all of our cloud phone systems so that you don’t have to. This saves headaches, downtimes and provides a positive experience for everyone. Unless you are experienced with network configuration and VoIP phone system installations, we don’t recommend that you DIY – do it yourself.

Yes. Because your phone system is hosted off-site at a data center a.k.a. ‘the cloud,’ then you will still be able to make and accept calls. However, chances are, your desk phones will no longer be functional nor will your network if you have lost power. In this case, you are able to forward your calls to your mobile devices and / or a different office location if you have one.

We are advocates for redundant power solutions and assist with uninterruptible power supply (UPS) installation for your network switches, routers and phones. Get in touch with us to see what options are available.

You and all of your users can use any IP phone, SIP Phone or IP device that is supported by our cloud phone system, whether it is a desktop IP Phone or a softphone. Check out the brands, makes and models of phones we offer at Layer Seven.

A softphone is when you install the relevant software onto your PC and use your PC as your phone. With the software application, you are able to do everything from your computer console that you can do on a desk phone.

Chances are you will be able to use your existing IP phones with our cloud phone system. We rarely come across phones that are not supported or compliant with our system. We always assess and document how many phones you have and the brand, make and model to ensure they will work.

Internet bandwidth is a primary component for call quality and quality of service (QoS). It’s important to ensure that you have an internet connection with enough bandwidth to minimize latency, packet loss and optimize voice quality. Without the proper amount of bandwidth, there’s a good chance that you will experience low quality of service (QoS), choppy calls, and low voice quality, which can be extremely frustrating.

An internet connection with an adequate amount of bandwidth is vital to the performance of a hosted PBX phone system and is one of the first things that your service provider should assess. At Layer Seven, we recommend you have an internet connection that will support at least 90 kilobits per second (kbps) of bandwidth per user per call and ensure that you have enough bandwidth to accommodate any instance where all users may be on the phone at the same time.

If you have 10 users, your internet connection should be able to handle 900 kpbs. To put this into a little better perspective, 1,000 kilobits is the equivalent of 1 megabit. These days, it’s not uncommon to have a 10 mbps (megabit per second) internet connection, unless of course, you have a T1, which is 1.5 mbps.

Network hardware and equipment will depend on the cloud phone system plan that you select, but in general you will need a router / firewall, PoE or Ethernet switch, a solid internet connection and some IP desk phones or some SIP desk phones. The set up and configuration is designed to be plug and play with automatic provisioning, ready to be used within minutes.

Yes. Layer Seven offers technical training and on-going support so your users know how to use their desk phones, manage their features and settings, navigate their online portal, use their online portal, troubleshoot small issues with their phone system and much more. Whatever your training needs are, we will be sure to address them and get you up and running.