2025 Is a Turning Point for Business Phone Systems; Is Yours Ready?

If your business operates on a Toshiba, Mitel, or Avaya phone system, 2025 could be a pivotal year for you and your telecom systems.

Across industries, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are discovering that the systems they’ve relied on for years are changing fast:

Support for Toshiba phone systems officially ended in 2021, leaving businesses without official maintenance or updates.
While Mitel and Avaya still offer hybrid and on-premises solutions, their strategic focus is shifting to cloud-first platforms. Most innovations, updates, and support are moving to the cloud, signaling a gradual phase-out of legacy systems. Avaya may end support of its on-premise solutions in the near future

This change is more than a technical upgrade. It’s a shift in how businesses collaborate, integrate tools, and deliver customer service. For many SMBs, these changes raise questions about cost, continuity, and future readiness.

Here are two examples:

Analisa - COO of a regional manufacturing firm.

Her team’s Toshiba system has been a workhorse for years. But since support has ended for their system, finding parts is harder and support is slower every time there’s a problem.

Dante - IT director of a growing law firm.

Two years ago, he guided his firm through a smooth migration to a unified communications (UC) platform. Today, his team works seamlessly across offices, home offices, and client sites with zero disruption.

Different situations, same challenge: rapid change in the unified communications landscape. The businesses that plan now will have more flexibility, more control, and fewer surprises in the months ahead.

The Risks of Doing Nothing

Sticking with the status quo might seem easier, especially if your phone system is still operational. But whether you’re on a Toshiba, Mitel, or Avaya system, the risks of waiting are growing:

End of Support, or Limited Support - Toshiba systems are already unsupported. Mitel and Avaya still support on-premises platforms, but their innovation and resources are increasingly cloud-focused.
Increased Security Vulnerabilities - Legacy platforms often miss critical updates, leaving systems exposed to cyber threats. The cost of a data breach averages $9.36 million in the U.S., a risk SMBs can’t afford.
Higher Maintenance Costs and Downtime - Scarce parts and fewer trained technicians mean higher costs and longer downtimes. Some companies spend up to 80% of their IT budgets maintaining outdated systems.
Missed Modern Features - Unified communications platforms now offer mobile access, video integration, advanced analytics, and CRM connectivity. These are advantages that legacy systems can’t match.
Compliance Changes - Evolving privacy and data regulations can leave legacy systems noncompliant, which increases legal and financial risks.

For “Analisa,” her situation means slower response times and dwindling replacement parts. Or she might face a costly, last-minute upgrade when her vendor gives short notice of changes.

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The Benefits of Unified Communications

Modern UC platforms, such as 8x8 UCaaS, deliver a simpler, smarter, and more scalable approach. This makes either solution a great alternative to Mitel and Avaya.

Key benefits for SMBs include:

Flexibility for remote and hybrid teams with mobile-friendly tools and seamless conversation history.
Lower maintenance and predictable costs with usage-based pricing and no surprise repair bills. The benefits can add up to lower TCO.
Advanced analytics and call features, including integrations with contact centers and productivity tools.
Seamless integration with platforms like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, or Slack.
Scalability that adapts to your growth without requiring new hardware.

For Dante, that early transition paid off. His firm easily onboards new hires in multiple locations with zero disruption.

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