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Hosted phone systems from Columbus include Horizon, a high performance, feature-rich, business VoIP solution. Move your telephony to the cloud with minimal set up costs, inclusive calls and free handsets.

Hosted phone systems that offer flexibility, reliability and vast amounts of features at low cost? Introducing Horizon from Columbus.  Horizon is a Hosted phone system, which means there is no on-premise hardware required and a broadband access service is used to carry your business voip calls. There is no need for a traditional, premise-based pbx phone system as everything is expertly managed from our data centres. The service has lots of clever features and an emphasis on control and administration through the web. With only a minimal capital outlay required, a reliable and proven service, and a jargon free approach to business IP telephony and communications, Horizon is suitable for any sized business looking reduce costs, consolidate services and improve their productivity, service levels and professionalism. Find out why it’s one of the market-leading hosted phone systems for UK businesses below.

What is a Hosted Phone System?

Discover how easy it is to migrate your phone system to the cloud with Horizon Hosted Phone Systems

Get Up & Running Quickly

Because Horizon is a cloud-based, business grade, telephony service, all you need is IP handsets, softphones or mobile clients and we can get you connected within days.

Outstanding Quality & Reliability

Horizon combines an easy-to-use web interface, outstanding network performance and the power of the world’s leading communications platform from Broadsoft.

Unparalleled Functionality

Auto Attendants, Voicemail to Email, Call Recording, Music on Hold, CRM Integration, Mobile clients; whatever your business size, Horizon delivers the services you need.

Scalable & Always Up To Date

Scalable from 1 to 100’s of users and ideal for single or multiple sites. Get new features, upgrades and optional integrations as soon as they are released.

How Horizon Hosted Phone Systems can transform your business

End Complexity

Eliminate legacy, on-premise pbx phone systems and inflexible and costly ISDN business lines. No matter how many sites you have, easily manage all office or retail locations, consolidate services and reduce complexity and operating costs. Horizon makes it simple to connect and scale your business to support all users, wherever they are located.

Leverage BYOD and Mobile

Provide freedom and flexibility for your increasingly mobile workforce by extending Horizon to mobile users. Deliver a Bring Your Own Device policy using the Horizon mobile app. Transfer calls, put a caller on hold with music on hold, record calls, display your business number, conference, IM and more besides all accessible from the Horizon mobile app.

Increase Business Productivity

Horizon will help you boost employee productivity and IT efficiency. Connect all your devices to a single number so you can be productive anywhere. Horizon includes intelligent call handling, so if someone is not available, the call can be diverted to someone who is available ensuring that your business is always reachable.

Horizon Hosted Phone Systems integrate easily with your CRM and productivity tools

Horizon Integrator and Horizon Integrator CRM

Unleash even more of Horizon’s capabilities on your desktop with Horizon Integrator. Horizon Integrator is a powerful piece of software that gives you control of your Horizon service from your desktop without having to log in to your Horizon Portal. It also provides interaction with key programs such as Microsoft Outlook and Skype for Business.

In addition to the standard Integrator functionality, Integrator CRM takes the Integrator software a step further. Compatible with over 70 of the top CRM packages including Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics, Horizon Integrator CRM provides easy integration with your preferred CRM program and helps improve user efficiency and productivity. Functionality varies from CRM to CRM but in broad terms it means that your CRM system and hosted telephony service are connected and can be used in tandem providing quick and easy access to contacts, customer details can be screen popped when a call is received or you can use click to dial for easy outbound calling within the CRM itself for example.

What does Horizon Integrator provide?

Standard Integrator features include:

  • Call Preview – Available from Outlook. Allows Horizon users to prepare for the incoming call and respond appropriately. This can make the caller feel more welcome and gives a professional feel to your company
  • Click to Dial – Available from Outlook and web pages. Makes Horizon even simpler to operate as users can make calls instantly and accurately from the information on their screen
  • Integration with Skype for Business – Presence changes to reflect On a Call or Do Not Disturb. Improves efficiency as colleagues and customers can only contact you when you are available
  • Desktop Control – Instant access from the desktop to Call History, Call Forward, Presence and a wealth of other features.

What does Horizon Integrator CRM provide?

Horizon Integrator CRM provides all the features of the standard Integrator App plus the ability to integrate seamlessly with your chosen CRM system. The integration provides call control and the ability to make calls from your CRM and screen pop customer details when they call you and much more besides.

Which CRM systems are supported by Horizon Integrator CRM?

There is an extensive development roadmap for Horizon hosted phone systems which includes fixed and mobile convergence and an ever-growing list of supported CRMs for the Horizon Integrator CRM app. The CRMs that are currently supported are featured below.

CRM
MARKET
Acquaint CRM Estate Agency / Property Management
ACT! General CRM
Agenda5 Virtual office
Agent Pro Estate Agency / Property Management
AlarmMaster Security
Arcus Automotive / Transport
Autotask General CRM
Cabmate Automotive / Transport
Candor General CRM
Cash for Windows 2015.2.3 Logistics / ERP
Cash for Windows 3.25.1 Logistics / ERP
ConnectWise General CRM
CTI Data Connector for Salesforce General CRM
Desk.com Help desk
Dezrez Estate Agency / Property
eGroupware General CRM
Encore Live Estate Agency / Property Management
Entersoft 4.0.24.7 General CRM
Exact Online Financial/Insurance
FinPlan 9.4.1 Financial/Insurance
genesisWorld General CRM
GoldMine General CRM
Goliath Logistics / ERP
InfoCabs Automotive / Transport
INTRACALL 3.1 General CRM
Legrand CRM 5 General CRM
Legrand CRM 6 General CRM
Maximizer General CRM
Microdec Recruitment
Microsoft Access General CRM
Microsoft Dynamics General CRM
Microsoft Dynamics CRM General CRM
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement General CRM
Microsoft LotusNotes General CRM
Microsoft Outlook General CRM
National Directories General CRM
nCall Virtual office
NetHelpDesk Help desk
Netsuite Logistics / ERP
Orange Estate Agency / Property Management
Orderwise 2014 Logistics / ERP
orgAnice 2010 General CRM
PCHomes Estate Agency / Property Management
Practice Management Vet
Prof.ITplus 1.0.5 Retail
Promoserve Hospitality
ProspectSoft Crm 6.52 General CRM
ProspectSoftCrm6 General CRM
Reapit10 Estate Agency / Property Management
Rentman Estate Agency / Property Management
Rezi Estate Agency / Property Management
RPM Telecoms
Sage General CRM
Sage 50 Accounts General CRM
Sage 50 Complete Accounting General CRM
SalesForce General CRM
SalesLogix General CRM
Saturn Financial/Insurance
Servicemax Field Service Organisations
Simma CMS Net 4 Construction
Sugar General CRM
SuperOffice General CRM
System for Dentists 6.15.6.0 Dental
Tankerbase Automotive / Transport
Techman Garage Management System Automotive / Transport
Tradium General CRM
Vebra Alto Estate Agency / Property Management
Vebra Live Estate Agency / Property Management
WinSIMS General CRM
XDS 9 Build 31 Automotive / Transport
Zoho General CRM

How much does Horizon Integrator and Horizon Integrator CRM cost?

Horizon Integrator costs as little as £1.50 per user per month. Please contact us for additional pricing information.

Powered by Broadsoft, IP Handsets from Polycom, Advanced Call Reporting from Akixi.

Horizon hosted phone systems combine IP handsets from leading manufacturers including Polycom, Cisco and Yealink, an easy-to-use web interface, our partner Gamma’s trademark network resilience and the power of the world’s leading communications platform from Broadsoft. Horizon can also be extended to the call centre with dedicated hosted call centre services and advanced call reporting and wallboards from Akixi.

Image of Broadsoft logo. Broadsoft software powers Horizon hosted phone systems provided by Columbus in the UK. Broadsoft is a global leader in Unified Communications or UC software.
Image of Polycom logo. Columbus UK use the Polycom VVX range of IP handsets in conjunction with Horizon hosted phone systems for UK customers.
Image of Akixi logo. Columbus UK utilises Akixi for advanced call reporting and wallboard applications designed for small and medium-sized businesses and call centres in the UK. Akixi is used in conjunction with Horizon hosted phone systems provided by Columbus for UK customers.

Reasons to Choose Horizon from Columbus UK

There has never been a better time to move your telephony to the cloud with minimal set up costs, fast deployment, all inclusive packages to fix monthly costs and work anywhere capabilities with desktop and mobile apps.

Enjoy full control of your hosted phone system using the intuitive Horizon web portal. Gain your own management system and eliminate the time and costs associated with changes made by a phone system maintainer.

Work anywhere and be reachable at any time using a wide range of devices and desktop and mobile apps combined with the advanced call routing, alerts and voicemail capabilities of Horizon.

Avoid surprise bills with Horizon all inclusive bundles which help you fix monthly costs.

Unlike traditional phone systems that reside on your premises, Horizon is cloud-based, meaning that you will always have access to the very latest features and software releases.

We manage, operate, support and maintain each element of the Horizon solution including datacentre, network, access, hardware and software for a true end-to-end solution.

To support Horizon, Columbus offers a range of managed data services, from voice-only Assured IP Broadband services through to Converged FTTC (a single connection for voice and data) and Fibre Ethernet designed for larger offices.

Horizon Hosted Phone System demos and trials available now. Yes please, let's go!

Service Highlights

  • An on demand service with no hidden costs
  • Only pay for what you need on a simple per seat basis
  • You’re in control – web based portal for easy management
  • It’s future proof, get new features immediately
  • Feature rich, highly reliable & easily scalable
  • Powered by Broadsoft, global leader in UC software
  • Free handsets with selected Broadband services
  • Broad choice of Polycom, Cisco & Yealink IP handsets
  • Desk phones, soft phones & mobile clients
  • Offers integration with over 50 leading CRM systems
  • Advanced call reporting and wallboard options
  • Auto Attendant, Call Queuing, Call Recording, Music On Hold
  • Ideal for flexible working & multi-site businesses
  • Flexible contract terms & inclusive call bundles

Download the brochure

Are Hosted Business Phone Systems right for my business?

Unlike traditional business phone systems that require expensive upgrades when you reach capacity or require additional features, Horizon hosted phone systems are flexible allowing you to scale up or down easily and you only ever pay for what you need on a per seat basis. Columbus also provides inclusive call bundles and free Polycom,  Cisco and Yealink IP Handsets with selected broadband services. With minimal capital outlay and reduced operating costs, Horizon hosted phone systems ideal for the legal, financial, health, retail, property and manufacturing sectors and many more besides.

With Horizon hosted phone systems we provide everything you need for a fully managed, end-to-end service which includes handsets, apps, broadband access, core network services, on site set up, training and ongoing support, allowing you to get on with what’s really important to your business on a day-to-day basis.

Horizon provides lots of clever, time-saving features which are managed from an easy-to-use web portal. New users can be set up in minutes, changes to your business call handling can be amended in real-time and out of hours call handling is fully automated using a scheduling service. Additional features such as call recording, advanced call reporting, wallboards and CRM integration can help improve service levels and employee productivity.

Unlike traditional phone systems which may need expensive upgrades when they reach capacity, Horizon is easily scalable as the service is managed from the network. You will also get the latest updates and features as soon as they are released, all in one convenient, simple monthly charge per user.

Horizon is simple to install and allows you to dispense with a physical phone system and it’s simple to manage on a day-to-day basis using the easy-to-use Horizon web portal. It’s also easy to scale the system up or down to suit changing operational requirements. It’s also easy to roll out to remote workers and additional offices without significant expense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it expensive to install?

No, unlike traditional business phone systems only a minimal capital outlay is required as there is no physical phone system to install and maintain on the premises.

What is the call quality like?

As with all Hosted Phone Systems, call quality is dependent upon the quality and reliability of your broadband service which supports it. That is why we have developed a Broadband service called Assured IP Broadband. Assured IP is a dedicated and fully managed, voice-only broadband service which uses Cisco hardware and is underpinned by a comprehensive service level agreement. By having complete end-to-end control and visibility of the entire IP telephony solution we can provide a consistent, high quality service. Additionally you might be surprised by how cost effective Assured IP can be combined with our free Cisco or Polycom handset offer, call us on 0333 240 7755 to find out more.

Does it support call recording?

Yes. Call recording can be enabled from the Horizon web portal for individual users/DDIs or across hunt groups to cover all of your inbound and outbound call needs. Call recording is also extended to PC and mobile devices when either the PC softphone or mobile client is used for call handling purpose. Call recordings are easily accessible from the Horizon web portal where they can be downloaded to your local network for storage and archiving.

Does Horizon provide advanced reporting options?

Do you know how many calls you receive, how these are being handled and by whom? Horizon offers some key measurements through the web portal’s performance and advanced statistics. More in-depth call management reporting and wall board capabilities for real time views of calls are available as well using a service we offer called Akixi.

Does Horizon support wall board integration?

Through our partnership with Akixi, the leading hosted call management service provider, you can now obtain a data feed for your Horizon service, which will let you export the statistics you need to help manage your business and display them in real-time in a highly configurable wall board format.

Columbus are very flexible in their approach to our demands, keeping control over our business connections, supporting our remote staff & providing us with a value for money service. The friendly efficient staff are always on hand to help when required.

Jerry GriffinFacilities Manager, PEI-Genesis UK Ltd

We originally approached Columbus to help us fill the gaps in our inbound solutions portfolio. Due to their fantastic support, customer service and willingness to work closely together, we have worked in partnership for over 10 years. This has resulted in significant advances for our mobile, SIP and Hosted PBX offerings. The key area any business appreciates most is the ease in which it can engage, plan and deliver projects for customers with its partners. With Columbus, we can always provide a great service for our customers… we simply do not get the same level of service from any other company.

Christian CoeManaging Director - Telecoms Advisor Ltd

Working with Columbus is easy; they are great partners and the team responds quickly to our requests for input. In fact, they are the most responsive and easy to work with partner we have, even when we have challenges to resolve.

Gabrielle AlamManaging Director, Eyes2market UK Ltd

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