Is your business still using a plain old telephone system (POTS)? There’s a better option. Don’t settle for POTS when you can enjoy the many benefits of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system. Substantial cost savings is one reason to move to online voice communications.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) sounds fancy, but it is not only for very important people. This easy-to-use technology lets businesses of any size enjoy enterprise-level phone services. Along with VoIP’s cost savings, added benefits include mobility, flexibility, and scalability. This eBook covers VoIP basics and its advantages for your very important business.

What is VoIP?

Traditional telephone communications send analog signals through wires. VoIP translates communications into digital packets sent and received over the internet. A broadband connection is essential to VoIP. A business will need to choose between an on-premises VoIP system or a cloud-based solution. An on-premises solution is a lot like having a traditional phone system. The business houses the hardware, IP phones, and other necessary equipment on-site. You’ll be responsible for setting up, maintaining, and securing that technology.

Businesses with little change to their communication needs may prefer the on-premises version. A bigger upfront investment is necessary, but they may save money in the long run.

With VoIP hosted in the cloud, a business can reduce investments in hardware. The phone system is hosted on a server accessible for remote operations via the internet. A VoIP service partner takes on upkeep, maintenance, and security. The provider takes on all the risk and work of providing a service that is always up to date and secure.

Cost Savings with VoIP

Setting up and maintaining traditional communications infrastructure can be costly – time- and labor-intensive. VoIP lets a business reduce and consolidate its infrastructure. This has many budget benefits:

• Internal calling is free with VoIP.

• Long-distance charges are minimal, and users make international calls for mere cents.

• Streamlining voice, data, and broadband services with one provider can lead to savings.

• Cloud-based VoIP requires no hardware (other than the handset), and there’s no on-site equipment to maintain or upgrade.

VoIP also scales easily. Your business may have started out with just two people, but now you have 40. With a POTS, making Moves, Adds and Changes (MACs) requires a visit from the phone company. Yet many VoIP providers give access to a Web-based portal. Authorized managers can configure users anywhere with a few simple clicks.

One more cost benefit? A cloud service provider typically charges a monthly flat fee. They base the fee on actual number of lines and the services, so you’re not wasting money on lines you don’t use. And a consistent subscription fee is easier to budget around.

Added VoIP Advantages

Generations of workers today boggle at the idea of a phone attached by cord to the wall. All they know is mobile. And the next generation has never been offline. The competitive business today needs to offer mobility and flexibility.

Sturdy and reliable VoIP capabilities are accessed via a mobile app. Staff can use their business phone number from anywhere, even if they are in another country. That’s more flexible than having to sit at an office desk.

Plus, with VoIP apps, staff can use business phone services on their own smartphones. They can make and receive calls from laptops or desktop computers, too, which adds to cost savings.

Don’t worry, it’s not necessary for the people you are calling to also have VoIP. The digital packet from your end is translated into data or analog for the recipient, if needed.

Additionally, enterprise-grade features phone companies charge for are typically included with VoIP. They offer users all kinds of tools to streamline communications and enhance productivity:

• call screening
• call forwarding
• auto-attendant
• hold music
• voicemail transcription
• conference call hosting
• call monitoring
• call recording
 

These tools can help ensure compliance, better train employees, and identify security threats, and they are all available with point-and-click simplicity, since VoIP communication is digital. The business gains business analytics and reporting. Integration with customer relationship management (CRM) software is useful, as well. Additionally, enterprise-grade features phone companies charge for are typically included with VoIP.

Conclusion:

If you’ve ever been on Skype, you’ve experienced VoIP. Yet, a VoIP business phone system offers much more. VoIP phone business systems streamline processes, promote collaboration, and speed up growth. Your business will see budget benefits while providing technology to keep people productive.
Want to learn more about VoIP? Partner with a managed services provider. We’ll treat you like the VIP you are.

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