For years, companies have replaced their analog phone lines with VoIP phone services. In its early years, VoIP acquired its own reputation among users and skeptics who touted it as unreliable; however, throughout its history, this new communication technology has grown in popularity and has made its mark as a reliable and practical communication solution for businesses of all sizes.
Today, companies use VoIP features to stay in touch with customers and colleagues, expand their business smoothly, monitor employee performance, and build customer loyalty. By harnessing the power of the cloud, VoIP also offers a degree of flexibility and simplicity that analog users simply cannot experience.
While analog phone service keeps communications fixed in one location, VoIP allows you to make and receive your business calls from any device (office, mobile, or virtual phone app) or forward them to external sites and extensions.
The flexibility and convenience of this technology is what most users love about business VoIP providers.
Small businesses and entrepreneurs can also use VoIP phone service to create the image of a larger company with features like auto attendant and custom menus.
What can you expect from a VoIP phone service?
VoIP takes analog audio signals and converts them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet. With less bandwidth required to transmit the data, there is less occurrence of jitter causing that choppy audio and lackluster call quality that drives everyone crazy.
Call quality, cost savings, and easy setup are the main drivers for the success of VoIP, but there are several features and capabilities that distinguish this communication technology.
Here are some of the standard features you can expect when using a VoIP phone service:
- Call forwarding
- Voicemail to email
- Auto attendant, also known as a digital receptionist or cloud receptionist
- Call continuity
- Programmable keyboards
- Application integration
- Caller ID Screen
- Call blocking
- Call conference
- Mobile capabilities
VoIP phone service may seem like a drastic change in your communications strategy, but if you are willing to talk to consultants, you will see that it is actually a simple transition.
A better business communication solution
Convenient setup
Even with the latest premises-based business phone systems, setup is cumbersome and expensive compared to a cloud-based phone system. Requires users to connect cables and find out which lines are paired with which extension; Most busy business owners often have to hire someone to install them or spend hours on the phone with their phone company.
With VoIP, the time it takes to get up and running is minimal and most VoIP service providers offer support to help you every step of the way. Generally, however, it is as easy as plugging in your IP phone and letting it boot into your existing network.
There are no cables or lines to worry about, as your service provider takes care of most of the setup before you receive your new equipment. When you use VoIP phone service, your settings come preconfigured on your phone, so all you have to do is connect your phone to the correct ports and you’re on your way.
The best part?
Since VoIP is cloud-based, your provider can take care of the equipment and servers that help you power your communications by managing your own servers and IT staff for your convenience.
This means that any business can enjoy using this technology regardless of the size of its location.
Minimize costs
Businesses see significant savings when they switch from traditional phone service. With older PBX systems, you had to hire IT staff to keep the equipment housed in your office, pay for long distance charges, and if you wanted to add a line to your office, you had to pay the phone company more for the number. of phone. and installation.
Today’s VoIP technology only requires one-time hardware costs and a monthly subscription based on the service plan fees. Long distance calling rates vary between providers, but many offer unlimited calling along with competitive international rates.
Simple setup, lower costs, and robust features make VoIP a great solution for business communication. It’s no wonder that VoIP is experiencing rapid growth with no signs of slowing down in the next few years.