- Moving to the cloud does not mean throwing away your phones: most SIP desk phones work with a cloud PBX.
- Your 9200, 800 and landline numbers are connected or ported through a licensed carrier with a plan that avoids downtime.
- A successful plan: inventory, design, setup, parallel testing, then switch the numbers and retire the old system.
An ageing on-premise or IP PBX means maintenance, spare parts, slow changes and no easy remote work. Here is a practical plan to replace your IP PBX with a cloud PBX without a day of downtime.
Why companies move
End-of-life hardware, maintenance costs, branches and remote work, modern features (live reports, call journeys, AI analysis, WhatsApp and CRM) and fast scaling. Compare cloud vs traditional PBX or start with what is a cloud PBX.
Keeping your desk phones
SIP phones such as Grandstream and Yealink can be re-provisioned on the Klamna cloud PBX. Analog phones need an adapter (ATA) or gradual replacement; proprietary digital phones usually need SIP replacements or apps. Staff can also use the browser, the Android app (iPhone coming soon) or the Windows/Mac desktop app. Send us your phone models and we will confirm compatibility.
Your numbers
Etisalna connects 9200, 800 and landline numbers through licensed carriers (with STC, Mobily and GO Telecom partnerships): port or point the number to the cloud PBX, forward temporarily during the move, or add a new number. Number fees depend on the carrier and number type; start carrier steps early.
Step-by-step plan
- Inventory: users, extensions, external numbers and carriers, phone models, current call flow, features in use, internet quality per branch.
- Design: improve rather than copy: a shorter IVR, queues, calling permissions and caller ID per extension, and call center features if needed.
- Setup: extensions, queues, IVR, hours and holidays, recordings and hold music; re-provision SIP phones; install apps; start number procedures.
- Parallel testing: keep the old PBX live and test every scenario on a trial number; train staff.
- Cut-over: switch numbers at a quiet time, test each from an outside mobile, have a team ready on day one.
- Follow-up: watch missed calls, rush hours and journeys for two weeks, then retire the old PBX and its contracts.
Example: a company with three branches
Example: a distributor with a head office in Riyadh and branches in Jeddah and Dammam, each with its own IP PBX and landline, and a 9200 number ringing only in Riyadh. After the move, one PBX serves every branch with internal transfers between cities; the 9200 number enters one IVR ("for orders press 1, customer service 2, Jeddah branch 3"); branch landlines stay and get their own flows; field reps answer the company number from the mobile app instead of personal numbers; and management sees rush hours, missed calls and peak concurrent calls for all branches in one dashboard.
Roles during the migration
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Your project owner | Collects information, approves the call flow, coordinates departments |
| Your IT team | Branch internet and network, phone re-provisioning |
| Etisalna team | Cloud PBX setup, help with connecting and porting numbers, training and support |
| Department heads | Queue members, business hours and permissions |
Checklist
- Inventory done and SIP compatibility confirmed.
- Internet tested in every branch.
- New call flow, permissions and caller IDs defined.
- Number procedures started early.
- Phones configured, apps installed, staff trained.
- All scenarios tested, numbers switched and verified.
- Two weeks of monitoring before switching off the old system.
Cost
Klamna call center is SAR 90 per user per month, calls billed per second, two months free on yearly plans; plus usage, carrier number fees and any new phones. Example: 15 users = SAR 1,350 per month, to compare with maintenance, upgrades, power and spare parts. Prices in SAR, excluding VAT. See pricing.
Is my internet good enough?
Call quality depends more on stability than raw speed. Test every branch at busy times and fix recurring network drops before the move. If office internet fails, the PBX keeps running in the cloud and staff continue on the mobile app over mobile data, or calls are forwarded to their mobiles.
Mistakes to avoid
Switching off the old PBX too early, leaving number porting to the end, ignoring internet quality, copying old flaws, skipping training and leaving international calling open on every extension.
After the move
Add the WhatsApp API, CRM, AI call analysis or an AI voice agent on the same platform.
FAQ
Will calls be interrupted?
With parallel testing and a quiet cut-over, downtime is minimal or none.
Can I keep my Grandstream or Yealink phones?
Yes, after re-provisioning them as SIP phones.
How long does the move take?
System setup is quick; carrier number procedures and training usually take longest. We give you a timeline after the inventory.
Want a migration plan for your company? Contact us with your user count, phone models and numbers, or call 920031338.