Still hanging onto an old Avaya phone system? You’re not alone, but it might be costing you more than you think.
Legacy hardware, like Avaya, was built for a different era: one with desk-bound employees, bulky hardware, and endless maintenance contracts.
In 2025, that old-school approach isn’t just outdated; it’s holding your business back!
Cloud PBX phone systems are leaner, smarter, and built to scale with your business, whether you have five employees or fifty. The best part? With Losh Network Services, switching is easier than ever.
In this post, we’ll break down what a modern cloud PBX is, why businesses are moving away from Avaya, and how to make the switch without the stress!
What Is a Cloud PBX?
Let’s start with the basics. A PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is essentially your business’s internal phone network. It handles call routing, extensions, and voicemail.
In the past, PBX systems required on-site hardware and complex wiring. A cloud PBX, on the other hand, lives in the cloud and runs over the internet.
Instead of maintaining bulky, on-premise equipment, a cloud PBX offers:
- Remote flexibility: Teams can make and receive calls anywhere, with multiple device options
- Lower costs: No expensive hardware or maintenance fees.
- Built-in upgrades: Software updates and new features are automatically rolled out by your provider.
In other words, a cloud PBX is “business phone 2.0” — faster, cheaper, and easier to manage.
Why Businesses Are Migrating Away from Avaya
Avaya has been a trusted name in business communication for decades, but the landscape has changed.
Many companies are finding that their Avaya systems are too expensive to maintain, too rigid to scale, and don’t support the hybrid work setups that modern teams need.
Avaya has announced that it will no longer support businesses with fewer than 200 seats on its Experience Platform, effective June 30, 2025.
This shift is leaving many smaller businesses searching for alternatives, like cloud PBX systems that are easier to manage and far more cost-effective.
Top reasons businesses are switching:
- High support costs: Ongoing Avaya support services can quickly add up
- Limited remote capabilities: Legacy systems weren’t built with mobile apps or remote teams in mind
- Complex upgrades: Adding a new line or feature often means expensive hardware changes
- Lack of advanced features: Things like CRM integrations, real-time call analytics, or sentiment tracking aren’t built in without added expense
By contrast, a modern cloud PBX system (like Decibel) includes all the features your team actually needs, from mobile apps to call center tools, with no bulky equipment or hidden costs.
Hosted vs. On-Premise PBX Systems
Before you make the switch, it’s important to understand the difference between hosted cloud-based PBX and on-premise legacy PBX systems.
Think of it like choosing between owning a car that requires self-maintenance versus leasing one that’s always tuned up and ready to drive.
Both options handle calls, but hosted PBX systems are lighter on maintenance, easier to scale, and built for the way modern teams work.
The takeaway? If you’re still relying on an on-premise PBX, you’re probably spending more time and money than you need to.
Our hosted PBX system, Decibel, takes the work off your plate, with automatic updates, advanced features, and flexibility that legacy systems can’t match.
How to Migrate to a Cloud PBX
Switching phone systems might sound daunting, but with the right partner, it’s a straightforward, step-by-step process. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Audit Your Current System
Take a close look at your existing setup. How many lines do you need? Which features are “must-haves” (like call routing or voicemail-to-email)? Do you have hardware that’s costing you more to maintain than it’s worth?
Knowing what you have (and what you want) makes the migration process seamless.
Our team will evaluate your current system, map out your call flow, identify any gaps, and highlight cost-saving opportunities without using technical jargon.
We’re happy to audit your system and guide you through the process!
Step 2: Choose the Right Cloud PBX Provider
Not every provider is built to support your business. That’s why Losh offers:
- Local, dependable support – not outsourced call centers
- A custom-built platform – tailored to your team’s size and growth plans
- Affordable, predictable pricing – with no surprise fees or complicated contracts
Step 3: Plan for Number Porting
Want to keep your current business numbers? No problem! We’ll handle the entire porting process for you. Our team ensures a smooth transition with very little (sometimes zero) downtime, so your customers won’t even notice the switch.
Step 4: Set Up Your New System
This is where everything comes together. With Decibel, new phones (like Yealink VoIP phones) arrive pre-configured and ready to plug in.
We’ll fine-tune the details so your team has a seamless experience from the start. We can even install the devices so you don’t have to!
Step 5: Train Your Team
Switching to a new phone system shouldn’t feel like learning a new language, and with Losh, it doesn’t.
Our platform is so user-friendly and intuitive that employees feel comfortable after a brief walkthrough.
We do a live training with your team (so we can answer all questions as they arise). Plus, our local support team is always a call away if you need us later.
Step 6: Go Live (and Relax)
Once everything is set up and tested, it’s go-time! Your new system is live, and you can enjoy crystal-clear calls, advanced features, and the flexibility that Avaya could never deliver.
Why Losh and Decibel Make Switching Simple
Upgrading your phone system doesn’t have to be stressful.
We’ve been helping Missouri businesses modernize their communications for over 35 years, and we know how to get it right the first time.
We take care of every detail, from number porting to custom call routing, so your phone system is ready to go without any delays. And when you need support, you’ll talk to a local team that knows your business, not a generic call center!
Ready to Upgrade?
If your business phone system feels stuck in the past, let’s change that. We’ll design a cloud PBX or VoIP setup that’s easy to use and manage, whether it’s for one line or multiple locations.
From planning to training, we handle the heavy lifting so your team can hit the ground running! Contact us today to make the switch stress-free.