In the modern-day workplace, technological evolutions have led to significant advances in both hardware and software solutions, causing a paradigm shift in the ways we communicate. As a result, many businesses have transitioned their data storage to the cloud – highlighting the benefits of moving their telecommunications there, too.
Traditional phone systems have become antiquated and obsolete as companies look to eliminate the costly, cumbersome nature associated with conventional phone hardware and its maintenance. Businesses are saying goodbye to poor quality calls and making way for a more economical solution with better features: VoIP. Although it was first introduced in the 1990s, the VoIP solution has improved significantly since then, leading to its current popularity.
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol; it delivers both traditional telephone voice services as well as unified communications through the computer. As such, data and voice communications can be run on a single network, so you avoid paying for both a broadband connection and a telephone line. You can, therefore, efficiently carry conversations, information, and data between multiple locations.
VoIP systems assist you in making phone calls via the internet rather than your regular landline or mobile network. To do so, they convert analog voice signals into digital signals, send this digital data to the phone service provider using your internet, and, ultimately, convey this message to your recipient’s phone. All this happens almost instantaneously.
The following succinctly outlines these steps:
When you transition to VoIP, you can make calls in one of three ways: directly from a VoIP phone, from a traditional phone with a special adapter, or on the computer. You can even keep your current phone number by porting your current local, long-distance, and fax numbers to a VoIP business provider.
Change is exciting, but it can also be daunting – especially regarding your phone system, where the stakes are high, and a wrong turn can severely impact your reputation and operations. If what you are currently doing is working, why would you change it?
Yes, traditional phone systems work, but you are missing out on a slew of benefits that VoIP can provide for your company. To name a few:
In today’s climate, mobility is essential. More than likely, at least some portion of your employees must have access to work remotely sometimes. With VoIP, employees don’t need to be tied to a physical phone. They can place and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection, increasing productivity across your organization.
VoIP systems are more affordable than conventional phone systems – both upfront and in the long run – because you don’t have to buy, maintain, and eventually replace costly hardware. In tandem, it reduces ongoing expenses like usage fees, taxes, and costs associated with long-distance calls, thus reducing your overall overhead costs.
Businesses tend to experience growing pains as they scale. Luckily, VoIP can eliminate the pains associated with scaling your phone systems. It can accommodate as few as 5 to as many as 10,000 users, enabling seamless scaling as needed, so you won’t have to deal with VoIP interruptions as your business grows and changes.
Stay competitive and experience modern features not available with traditional phone systems. VoIP modernizes your business with capabilities like video calling, SMS messaging, audio conferencing, and video conferencing.
VoIP is easy to initially deploy and effortless to consistently manage and update. It accommodates the needs of businesses in any niche without the hassle or added cost typically associated with traditional phone services.
Although this may not seem imperative to your success, VoIP audio is always crystal clear. Why does it matter? When you have clear call audio, you improve productivity across your organization and establish professionalism with your customers.
Of course, every technology has its shortcomings. With VoIP, the drawbacks to be aware of are:
VoIP’s benefits far outweigh any potential drawbacks, but before deciding to make the switch, ensure your bandwidth and internet strength can support the service. If your bandwidth or internet strength is low, you will need to upgrade your services so the subsequent VoIP call quality will be steady and reliable.
Overall, your business stands to gain a lot from adapting to the latest trends in I.T. – and VoIP solutions are where innovative communication is at. If you are ready to start taking advantage of all the benefits that VoIP has to offer, the PC Corp Projects team is here to help you overcome technology challenges so that you can reach your business goals. Find Out How