Frustrated with Big Telecom? Tired of paying too much for big packages, spotty service, and slow response from off-shore support?
Any business with a concern about efficient, cost effective solutions for telecom has likely been informed that Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone systems are the best choice in today’s Internet-driven world. As best as anyone can tell at first glance, it seems like VoIP services are answering many, if not all, of the primary communication needs companies require from telephone systems. However, it doesn’t take long to run into conflicting advice. Are VoIP communication solutions as useful as they claim to be?
As it turns out, there are many potential benefits to switching to a VoIP telephone system. Following are some of the best reasons to consider VoIP.
VoIP Systems Reduce Costs, Improve Time Management, and Increase Productivity
1. Low Cost-Per-Call
As part of the name suggests, a VoIP telephone system utilizes Internet Protocol to make calls. Instead of using telephone lines, all communication data is turned into packets and sent over the IP network. The IP network is generally your business Internet connection.
Placing calls over traditional phone lines means that a line is taken up by the two callers using it to communicate. Since there are only so many lines that can be installed, calls placed over landlines, especially if they are long-distance, are expensive. But using the Internet to relay call data circumvents this problem, making domestic and long-distance calls less expensive.
In fact, businesses that use VoIP are often given the ability to make domestic and domestic long distance calls for free. If the phone number that is chosen for the business is in the United States, for example, providers often allow all calls within the "lower 48" in the United States for free.
2. Service Mobility
VoIP services can be a tremendous benefit to you because they will follow you wherever you go. On a traditional phone system, a line that runs to a home or business is assigned its own phone number. Any movement that takes place then becomes a trial of remembering the right codes or keys to dial on your phone. A lot of time can then be wasted by contacting phone companies to transfer services and phone numbers to new locations.
With a VoIP phone system, all of this is eliminated. There are no physical limitations. You have the freedom to move as your business demands without any added stress.
VoIP is Versatile and Convenient
3. Versatility of Features
Using VoIP phone systems allows you to multi-task with the most tech-savvy devices, maximizing your productivity.
You can make calls from your mobile phone just as if you were in your office, create instant video meetings, drag and drop users into an instant conference call with your mouse, and forward messages and voicemail easily.
You can also use call data, produced by your VoIP dashboard, to make strategy and spending decisions for your business. And because the service always goes with you, the features you need can be added or subtracted with ease. In short, VoIP telephone systems grow with your business.
4. Simple Conference Calls
The features just mentioned are not all that’s made easy by VoIP. Since all calls use a converged data network instead of dedicated phone lines, creating and participating in conference calls are made much easier.
It’s possible to take part in conference calls if your business uses a traditional phone system, but what you will find is that you will have to pay for an additional service to host multiple callers for a conference. These services are native to many VoIP phone systems. Instead of paying for something extra, you can take advantage of the ability to make conference calls as an added benefit to the service you already pay for.
Not only that, but VoIP services make video conferences much easier as well. Even face-to-face interaction with colleagues while business personnel are out of the office, is much more manageable with VoIP phone systems.
5. Efficient Client Interaction
In today’s global economy, businesses can be located anywhere. This often means that meetings require travel. Even so, with a VoIP service there is no reason to lose the ability to conduct important calls or to fail to forward essential documents.
In the last few months, you may have noticed that major companies like Coca-Cola and JPMorgan Chase have eliminated voicemail. While this sort of move may not be appropriate for every business, some companies have apparently found that answering voicemails just takes up too much time.
With a VoIP phone system, you can choose where your calls ring and how. For instance, you might select the first few rings to be forwarded to your office. If you don’t answer the call, it will then be transmitted to a second or third device, say, a mobile phone or laptop. Quite simply, calls don’t need to be missed anymore if they are urgent.
6. Reliable in a Pinch
A common concern that surfaces about VoIP is the fact that if the internet stops working, so does the ability to make calls. This doesn’t have to occur under the right circumstances. The truth is that call-forwarding, like other features in VoIP phone systems, is incredibly flexible.
The capability to choose where your calls are forwarded, and how, means that you also don’t have to lose productivity because of local power outages or weather-related events. If the office phone can’t be answered, your mobile device or laptop can.
Making the Right Decision for Your Business
Understandably, any recommendation that requires wholesale shifts in how companies conduct business may sound risky. Considering a move to a VoIP phone system can be confusing with all of the services and features that are available. Sifting through pages of fine print doesn’t contribute to making the decision any easier.
It’s always best to have a knowledgeable, reliable advisor at hand to assist you with major business decisions like this one. Our engineers and advisors at I-Evolve can assist you with choosing the best phone system for your specific needs and will help you to implement changes in the most efficient way possible. Your success is our pleasure. Contact us today at 855-I-EVOLVE.
