“Information and communications technology unlocks the value of time, allowing and enabling multi-tasking, multi-channels, multi-this and multi-that.”
What nonagenarian Hong Kong-based billionaire business tycoon, investor, and philanthropist Li Ka-shing said many years back is still relevant and will always be in the future.
Information and communication technology has evolved by leaps and bounds and it not only enables multi-tasking and multi-channels now but also multi-tenancy.
That very functionality is the USP of contemporary IP PBX software solutions. It is extremely useful for commercial service providers such as: Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Internet Telephony Service Providers, (ITSPs), Hosted Service Providers (HSPs), among others.
This blog is entirely focused on how MSPs benefit from multi-tenant IP PBX software. We will explore why a multi-tenant IP PBX system is the best solution for MSPs and what are the use cases of some key functionalities of multi-tenant IP PBX software.
If you are an MSP or you work as a senior professional in one, then this blog post is extremely valuable for you. So, without further ado let’s dive right into it. Read on and you will be glad you did!
Why Multi-Tenant IP PBX Software Is the Best Solution for MSPs?
As the name itself suggests, MSPs provide managed services to a wide array of organizations. So obviously they have many clients. But how many clients an average MSP serves? Any guesses?
MSPs, on average, serve around 122 clients! The Datto’s 2020 State of the MSP Report reveals the findings.
When MSPs cater to so many organizations, it would be better for them if they can support multiple tenants (clients) on a single IP PBX system.
To paraphrase former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, “Multi-tenant IP PBX solutions are the future.”
By leveraging advanced multi-tenant IP PBX software solutions, MSPs not only can manage multiple clients on a single server but also can customize features for different tenants.
Not just that. By using the right multi-tenant IP PBX software, MSPs can benefit from a wide array of functionalities and use cases.
Use Cases of Multi-Tenant IP PBX Software for MSPs
You may wonder “Can MSPs use single tenant IP PBX software effectively?” But the answer is they won’t be able to use single tenant IP PBX software very effectively. That’s because single tenant IP PBX is good for organizations that need IP PBX solutions for their own use. For instance, organizations such as healthcare, financial companies, educational institutions, among others.
However as MSPs are commercial service providers, they would need to use multi-tenant IP PBX software to manage multiple tenants in the same platform and enjoy a wide range of benefits. Here are some functionalities and use cases of multi-tenant IP PBX software solutions.
1. Multi-Currency and Multi-Option (Prepaid and Postpaid) Billing Module
Let’s face it; an MSP doesn’t necessarily have to be from the same country as its clients. The latter can be from anywhere in the world. In fact, more often than not, organizations based in richer (read more expensive) countries handpick MSPs from less expensive countries to benefit from the higher exchange rates. So, in such cases, how are MSPs going to bill their clients?
MSPs that don’t have multi-currency options in their billing systems are going to face huge challenges. However, the MSPs that use sophisticated multi-tenant IP PBX software solutions get built-in multi-currency billing modules to send invoices to their clients (tenants) in different countries. Not only that, they can send invoices to different clients for different timelines such as on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis.
2. Auto Provisioning
Just imagine what a task it would be for MSPs if they had to visit each of their client’s locations and manually provision their PBX phone systems. That would be unviable, wouldn’t it?
But the entire process will take just seconds if the provisioning of the IP PBX phones is automatic. One of the biggest USPs of multi-tenant IP PBX software is that it auto provisions different aspects (ringtone, wallpaper, and settings) of multiple phone systems remotely.
3. Reseller Module
As the name itself indicates, resellers are third-party organizations that partner with MSPs to resell managed services. More often than not, such organizations are new and cannot incur heavy upfront costs to sell high quality of services by themselves. So they join hands with MSPs for reselling VoIP, communication solutions, technical expertise, and a comprehensive suite of services at a markup.
That not only enables the MSPs to expand their service offerings but also saves them the hassle of managing a large number of clients all by themselves. Sophisticated multi-tenant IP PBX software solutions come equipped with a reseller module that enables MSPs to create exclusive tenant admin portals for each VoIP and managed services reseller and grant them limited rights.
4. White Labeling
You may wonder “Why white labeling is a necessary feature for MSPs?” The answer is simple! White labeling functionality is necessary for MSPs as it enables them to display their brand name, logo, design, colors, fonts, etc.
Sophisticated multi-tenant IP PBX software solutions offer white labeling functionality using which MSPs can flaunt their brand name, logo, design, colors, fonts, and more eye-catching details relevant to their brand equity to their tenants. Using this, resellers can do the same. The best part is, the branding would be visible across all platforms starting from Android to iOS and Chrome Extension to Mac and Windows.
5. Request Services
Let’s understand this with an example. Just imagine, an MSP’s tenant already has 100 extensions and it needs 20 additional extensions immediately. How is it going to raise a request for the same? Conversely, if a tenant already has 100 extensions and it wants to reduce 20 extensions during lean season, how will it do that?
The answer is by requesting the required services and features directly to the admin. So, will the tenant have to write an email to request the required services? Not at all! Advanced multi-tenant IP PBX software comes with a functionality called ‘Request Services’ using which clients can request additional (or reduction of) services to their MSPs or service providers.
6. Real-time Analytics and Reports
The name explains itself. This functionality is extremely important for MSPs as it enables them to get all relevant information in real-time. Using this, they can enhance their performance, keep an eye on vital parameters of their clients, and make informed decisions.
As management guru Peter F Drucker famously said, “If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage it.” And MSPs need to track all necessary analytics to deliver high-quality managed services! Sophisticated multi-tenant IP PBX software comes with cutting-edge real-time analytics and reporting functionality that can generate dozens of real-time reports.
Everything Said and Done,
When it comes to choosing between a multi-tenant IP PBX software and a single tenant one, the choice is simple. Multi tenant IP PBX solutions are engineered for commercial service providers and are the right choice for MSPs.
Anything other than that will not do! Sophisticated multi-tenant IP PBX software solutions provide considerable advantages to MSPs. So if you are an MSP, then you must take all necessary steps to handpick the right multi-tenant IP PBX software for your business.
You can start with a simple search on the internet to find reputable and reliable multi-tenant IP PBX software providers. Visit their websites and contact them to find out more about their solutions as well as to book a free demo.
