Cloud solutions are essential for businesses looking to streamline communication, enhance collaboration, and improve operational efficiency. One company making strides in this space is Elevate Cloud, known for its comprehensive cloud-based services, particularly in communication and collaboration tools. This review will take a closer look at Elevate Cloud phone product offerings, pricing, and the key pros and cons for UK businesses.
Products offered by Elevate Cloud
Elevate Cloud provides a range of services designed to meet the needs of businesses of various sizes. Below is an overview of their core products:
Product | Key Features | Price (per user per month) | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|
Elevate Voice | HD voice quality, call routing, CRM integration, call analytics | £15 | Scalable, integrated with CRM, mobile app support | Dependent on internet quality, learning curve for new users |
Elevate UC | Unified communications (voice, video, messaging), mobile access, syncs with Elevate Voice | £5 (included with Elevate Voice) | Easy communication on the go, syncs with other Elevate products | Limited offline functionality, requires Elevate Voice for full features |
Elevate Collaboration | Project management, real-time document sharing, video conferencing | £10 | Collaboration tools with cloud integration, task management | Potentially higher cost as team size increases |
Elevate Contact Centre | Omnichannel support, intelligent call routing, CRM integration | Custom pricing | Comprehensive customer support features, detailed analytics | Custom pricing may become expensive, high complexity for small businesses |
1. Elevate Voice
Elevate Voice is a VoIP solution that allows businesses to make and receive calls over the internet, reducing costs and improving flexibility. See our separate guide to small business phone systems.
Features:
- HD voice quality for clearer communication
- Call routing, forwarding, and custom voicemail
- Call analytics and reporting
- Integration with CRM systems for seamless operations
- Mobile and desktop app support
- Multi-level auto-attendant and on-hold messaging
Price: Starts at £15 per user per month (subject to variation based on company size and specific requirements)
2. Elevate UC (Unified Communications Mobile App)
The Elevate UC mobile app enables businesses to keep connected even while on the go. It brings together voice, video, messaging, and collaboration features into a single platform.
Features:
- One-click video conferencing
- Instant messaging and file sharing
- Presence monitoring (status updates for team availability)
- Syncs seamlessly with Elevate Voice and desktop applications
Price: Included with Elevate Voice subscriptions or available as a standalone solution for £5 per user per month.
3. Elevate Collaboration
Elevate Collaboration is a cloud-based tool designed to help teams work together more effectively, with features for project management and document sharing.
Features:
- Virtual workspaces for team projects
- Real-time document editing and sharing
- Task management and team calendars
- Built-in video and audio conferencing
- Integration with common business applications like Office 365 and Google Workspace
Price: Starting at £10 per user per month.
4. Elevate Contact Centre
Elevate Contact Centre is aimed at businesses that need advanced customer support capabilities. It allows for multichannel support including voice, email, chat, and social media integration, ensuring that businesses can deliver consistent and high-quality customer service.
Features:
- Intelligent call routing and interactive voice response (IVR)
- Real-time and historical analytics
- Omnichannel customer engagement (voice, email, chat, social)
- Agent performance tracking
- Integration with CRM systems
Price: Custom pricing based on the size and needs of the business.
Pros of Elevate Cloud solutions
- Scalability: Elevate Cloud’s solutions are highly scalable, making them suitable for small businesses and large enterprises alike. As your business grows, you can easily add more users or upgrade to more advanced plans without significant disruptions.
- All-in-one platform: From VoIP and unified communications to contact centre management, Elevate Cloud offers a suite of tools that work well together. This integration reduces the need for multiple third-party services, saving both time and costs.
- Mobile-friendly: With the Elevate UC app, businesses can stay connected from anywhere, which is increasingly important as remote working becomes more widespread.
- Customisable plans: The flexible pricing and the ability to tailor solutions to business-specific needs ensure that companies are not paying for features they don’t use.
- CRM integration: Elevate Cloud’s solutions integrate well with popular CRM systems, enabling businesses to enhance customer service, track interactions, and ensure smoother operations.
Cons of Elevate Cloud solutions
- Potential for high costs in large organisations: While the services start at a competitive price, the costs can increase significantly for larger businesses or those with more complex needs, especially when adding multiple products like Elevate Collaboration and Elevate Contact Centre.
- Learning curve: For businesses not yet familiar with cloud-based tools, there may be a learning curve involved in adopting the full range of services offered by Elevate Cloud. Staff training might be required to get the most out of the platform.
- Dependence on internet quality: As with all VoIP and cloud-based solutions, the performance of Elevate Cloud’s products is highly dependent on the quality of your internet connection. Businesses with unreliable internet may experience call drops or slower response times in collaboration tools.
- Limited offline capabilities: The reliance on the cloud means that if your business experiences an outage or downtime, some features may not be available until internet connectivity is restored.
Getting the best price
When choosing a cloud solution provider like Elevate Cloud, it’s important for businesses to be aware of potential hidden costs, available discounts, and strategies to get the best prices.
Hidden fees
While the base prices for Elevate Cloud’s products are transparent, there are certain additional costs that businesses should consider:
- Installation and setup fees: Although Elevate Cloud offers scalable solutions, businesses may incur charges for setting up more complex systems, especially with products like Elevate Contact Centre or when integrating multiple systems such as CRM software.
- Add-ons and premium features: While the basic package may cover most needs, additional features like enhanced call analytics, advanced reporting, or certain collaboration tools could come at an extra cost. For instance, businesses using Elevate Voice might be charged extra for premium call management features or international calling plans.
- Support fees: Standard customer support is usually included, but for priority or 24/7 technical support, there could be extra charges. Businesses needing round-the-clock assistance may want to inquire about support package costs.
- Per-user pricing escalation: As your business grows and you add more users to the platform, the total cost can increase significantly, especially for products like Elevate Collaboration. Custom pricing for Elevate Contact Centre can also escalate quickly depending on the complexity of your needs.
Discounts and promotions
To help offset these potential additional costs, Elevate Cloud often provides discounts, particularly for businesses signing long-term contracts or committing to a larger number of users. Here are some ways to benefit:
- Annual contracts: Businesses that opt for annual contracts instead of monthly plans can often secure lower per-user rates. In many cases, this could mean a discount of 10-20%, depending on the product.
- Bundled services: Elevate Cloud offers multiple services (e.g., Elevate Voice, Elevate UC, and Elevate Collaboration). By bundling these solutions, businesses can often access discounted rates compared to purchasing each service individually. For example, bundling Elevate Voice with Elevate UC typically provides better value than subscribing to the products separately.
- Volume discounts: Large organisations that require a high number of users may qualify for volume discounts, lowering the per-user cost. It’s worth negotiating with Elevate Cloud if you’re a larger company or planning for significant user growth.
- Seasonal promotions: Elevate Cloud occasionally runs promotional pricing during certain times of the year, offering businesses an opportunity to save on initial setup or even receive discounted rates for the first few months of service. Keep an eye out for these deals.
Getting the best prices
To ensure you’re getting the best deal on Elevate Cloud’s services, consider the following tips:
- Negotiate custom pricing: Particularly for Elevate Contact Centre or large-scale Elevate Collaboration implementations, custom pricing is available. Don’t be afraid to negotiate, especially if your business has unique needs or is committing to a long-term relationship.
- Request a detailed quote: Ensure that you ask for a full breakdown of costs, including potential add-ons and hidden fees, before signing any contract. Understanding exactly what’s included in your subscription will prevent surprises later on.
- Trial and test: Elevate Cloud may offer free trials or demos of their products. Taking advantage of these trials can help your business ensure that the solution fits your needs without committing to long-term costs upfront.
- Evaluate third-party deals: Some resellers or third-party providers may offer Elevate Cloud’s solutions at lower prices, or they might offer their own bundle of services with Elevate’s products at a reduced rate. It’s worth exploring these options to see if you can secure a better deal.
Final thoughts – Elevate Cloud pricing review
Elevate Cloud’s suite of products offers a comprehensive, flexible, and scalable solution for UK businesses looking to streamline their communication and collaboration efforts.
While the pricing may increase as businesses scale or require more advanced features, the benefits of having a unified platform with robust CRM integration make it a strong contender in the cloud services market.
For businesses that prioritise mobility, ease of use, and integration with existing systems, Elevate Cloud is a solid option. However, those with limited budgets or unreliable internet connections should carefully weigh the pros and cons before fully committing.
FAQ – Elevate Cloud pricing review
Elevate Voice pricing starts at £15 per user per month, but the final cost can vary depending on the number of users, additional features, and any customisation required. Businesses opting for bundled services or annual contracts may also receive discounted rates.
Yes, Elevate may charge setup fees, particularly for more complex solutions like the Contact Centre or custom integrations. Setup fees vary depending on your business’s specific needs and the scale of implementation. Be sure to ask for a full quote that includes any initial setup costs.
Yes, bundling Elevate Voice, Elevate UC, and Elevate Collaboration often results in discounts. Elevate offers reduced rates when businesses subscribe to multiple services at once, compared to purchasing each product separately. Always ask about bundling options to maximise savings.
Elevate offers volume discounts for businesses with a large number of users. The per-user cost decreases as you add more users to your subscription. Negotiating custom pricing for larger teams or multi-site businesses can help secure a more competitive rate.
Potential hidden fees with Elevate could include advanced support packages, premium features, and overage charges for exceeding user or usage limits. Always ask for a comprehensive breakdown of costs to ensure you’re fully aware of any additional fees beyond the standard subscription.
Yes, Elevate typically offers a discount for businesses that commit to annual contracts instead of paying month-to-month. These discounts can range from 10-20%, depending on the product and business size. Annual contracts help businesses save in the long term.
Elevate Cloud often provides free trials or demos for businesses to test out their solutions. This allows companies to evaluate whether the products, such as Elevate Voice or Elevate UC, meet their needs before committing to a paid subscription.
Elevate Contact Centre pricing is customised based on the specific needs of the business. Factors influencing the cost include the number of agents, the complexity of support channels (voice, email, chat, social media), and any additional integrations like CRM. Contact Elevate for a tailored quote.
International calling rates may not be included in the standard Elevate Voice package. Businesses making frequent international calls should inquire about separate pricing plans for these calls or explore bundled international packages. The cost will depend on the destination and volume of calls.
To get the best price, negotiate custom pricing, bundle multiple services, and consider committing to an annual contract. Additionally, look out for promotional offers and take advantage of any free trials to ensure you’re selecting the right plan before committing.