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Small Business VoIP - Should You Switch?
By Daljeet Sidhu | July 22, 2010
VoIP phone systems are adaptable, multifunctional systems that promise high voice quality and handy features at an affordable price. In fact, conventional phone systems cannot match the capabilities of VoIP with features such as call center features, voice mail and fax forwarding to email, fixed mobile convergence, and more.
In spite of the advancement in VoIP technology, some businesses have reservations about adopting VoIP. Their concerns are poorvoice quality, insecure network, losing service during internet outages, expenses and complexity of implementation. Let us discuss how the advantages of VoIP beat the potential hurdles, and how to maximize your VoIP system.
Why choose VoIP systems?
VoIP can bring down your telecommunications expenses drastically and improve productivity. Here is how it does it:
Advancing VoIP technology
Earlier, VoIP limited users to computer systems and scrappy voice quality. Today’s regular phones (equipped with VoIP adapters) and IP phones assure consistent voice quality, good mobility, and various practical features. Existing data networks are utilized by businesses for phone calls within the office, resulting in huge savings and increased employee productivity.
VoIP brings down telecommunication costs
Traditional phone systems need constant administration and maintenance of costly infrastructure as per industry regulations. VoIP cuts down installation and maintenance overheads by maintaining a single network for voice and data. Moving the phone with the employees that incurs a charge of about $100 per head is now as easy as plugging an IP phone into another broadband network jack. For similar services, VoIP providers fall cheaper too than conventional phone system vendors.
Use VoIP services wherever you are
VoIP keeps you connected wherever there is a broadband connection. You can take calls from clients and associates at the office, your home, a hotel or even a friend’s place. This cuts down your cell phone expenses. A lot of VoIP systems come with a software application which can be used to make and receive calls on your laptop by plugging in a headphone and a microphone.
Easy VoIP configuration
VoIP phone systems can be configured to forward voice mails and faxes to your email inbox and read emails into voice mail. You can easily manage your messages and mails at one place.
Virtual phone number
You may want your business to have an area code of another region if you are targeting customers there. With VoIP, you can have a virtual phone number with the preferred area code.
VoIP improves productivity
Studies show that VoIP systems improve productivity by almost 4 hours per employee per week. VoIP phone system features cut down on the time wasted in managing calls. Your VoIP phone number can ring concurrently on your landline and cell phone before reaching voice mail, making sure you always take an important call.
Making the most of VoIP phone systems
As you can see, VoIP has much to offer. If you still have concerns about potential hurdles, these tips will help you stay on top of them.
1. Hire VoIP service vendors
Though a typical VoIP phone system can be installed effortlessly, hire a VoIP service provider for larger implementations. Some network providers install and configure a VoIP solution provided by them.
2. Run a pilot project
Test the VoIP system with a set of users and verify its usefulness to your business. Once you’re satisfied, implement it across the office. Hold on to your traditional phone system as a fall back during this phase.
3. No missed calls with call forwarding
Configure VoIP phone system to forward unanswered calls to a landline or a cell phone or both. If there is a power failure, you won’t miss any calls till an alternative power source gets going.
4. Build up network security
The only way to circumvent call hacking is to protect your network from denial-of-service attacks and digital hackers. Make it a priority to update network security and to check it thoroughly at regular intervals.
VoIP phone systems are an economical option with all the benefits of a technologically evolved telecommunications system. Small businesses can minimize travel costs with high quality videoconferencing in real time, use VoIP integrated call center applications, and other compelling benefits of VoIP. With latest wireless phones offering seamless switching between mobile and Wi-Fi networks, VoIP users have a lot to look forward to in terms of great service at compelling savings.
Daljeet Sidhu. Small Business VoIP advice. VoIP Services quotes.
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