What is VoIP?
The term VoIP is an acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol. Rather than a traditional telephone system, VoIP uses the internet to transmit voice signals. Basically, we are ditching the outdated copper wires and switching to the web. And all we need is a reliable internet connection; our VoIP phone system will handle the rest.
VoIP vs Landline
The primary difference between Voice over Internet Protocol and landline phones is that conventional phone systems are bounded by their specific location. Landline telephones are limited to the coordinates that their cables extend to. On the contrary, a VoIP phone can make and receive calls anywhere, anytime.
With a VoIP phone setup, there is no need for desk-bound telephones, extra wiring, and messy cables. A VoIP phone only needs an app on your computer, tablet or mobile phone, and it is ready to go.
So Why Change The System?
Switching to a cloud-based phone system has endless benefits. At its surface, VoIP is an easy-to-use, completely accessible, and complicated-free system. Your business team can come together in calls, messages and meetings under an impressive umbrella approach. Additionally, a cloud-based phone system such as VoIP allows us, as business managers, to record and monitor all communications across all organisational departments in one place.
The future of business is efficiency, and VoIP is our yellow brick road.
What Are The Advantages Of VoIP?
Let’s delve a bit deeper into the advantages of VoIP. As long-standing VoIP users, we have developed the top five benefits of this transformative system.
- VoIP is perfect for cutting costs.
When switching over to VoIP, you essentially trade the expenses of maintaining a telecommunication system for a much cheaper subscription cost. Because VoIP is run over the internet, you are minimising phone bills and taking advantage of free calls. You also don’t have to worry about missing out on premium features at this low price. Most standard VoIP subscriptions include options such as forwarding calls and automatic redialling (features that would otherwise come at an extra charge).
- VoIP can bring your office to you.
With a VoIP phone system, working remotely is much more effortless. Your business’s phone system can include team members working outside the office, regardless of their location. In our current climate, where working from home is more prominent than ever, a VoIP system is the most adaptable communication system for both small and large enterprises.
- VoIP produces excellent call quality.
As long as you have a reliable internet connection, you can say goodbye to asking callers to repeat themselves. A good VoIP service will double the sound quality of a standard phone call, making communication between colleagues or clients much more effective and swifter.
- VoIP collaborates with Unified Communications.
VoIP phone systems embed Unified Communications (UC) into their practice, encouraging greater collaboration and improved workflow. With UC, business managers can focus their time on more important tasks rather than towards administrating a communication system.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Unified Communications, feel free to head over to our dedicated blog post on UC.
- VoIP isn’t slacking on its features.
Whilst we may have formerly thought that our traditional phone systems provided all we needed, VoIP decided to show us just what we were missing out on. With VoIP, features such as recording phone calls, call waiting and blocking, and auto attendants make business operations more structured and professional. Auto attendants allow callers to direct their enquiry to the most appropriate extension, allowing your team to provide the most effective services possible. VoIP auto attendants will also enable us to forward incoming calls to voicemail beyond our business hours.
How To Choose The Perfect VoIP Provider
Once you are ready to migrate to VoIP, the next step is finding the right provider. When choosing a VoIP service provider, checking whether they can deliver the ideal features and functionality for your business is crucial. Some features we recommend looking for include WiFi calling that avoids all roaming charges, offline access to messages and voicemails, and a competent call-routing system that will derive from one main business phone number.
What Equipment Does VoIP Require?
You have two options when initiating a switchover to a VoIP phone system. The first option is to purchase a traditional-looking desk phone that connects to the internet. On the other hand, you can opt for a ‘softphone’ by simply installing your VoIP provider’s app onto your computer or mobile device. Both alternatives operate via the same phone call process, so the choice is yours. With VoIP, you can adapt your phone system to suit your business rather than the other way around.
From there, most VoIP systems only require functioning computer speakers paired with a microphone or a headset. It’s that simple.
Summary
Embedding a VoIP phone system into your business structure will have endless benefits. In an era of multinational companies and remote working, it is no wonder why VoIP is becoming a business necessity. Whether you are a small business just starting up or a globally recognised firm, VoIP has advantages tailored to you.
If you have any further enquiries regarding VoIP phone systems, please reach out to our helpful team at Zeara for assistance.
