More businesses are using Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP technology for its versatility and cost effectiveness. This technology continues to rapidly improve by the number of ways it can be used. VoIP has become much more than just voice communications or phone system alternative technology. For these reasons, businesses of all sizes are embracing VoIP. Below is a short list of some of the benefits.
Versatility/Flexibility:
Many VoIP providers have been expanding their services by offering a suite of communication applications into a single unified package. This makes the technology much more useful for business communication providing voice, fax, video, conferencing and email through a single interface.
VoIP’s expansive features benefit companies in various ways. For example, converting voice recordings and faxes into emails, can significantly increase business efficiencies. Another benefit is that landlines and cell phones can receive incoming calls at the same time. This reduces the likelihood of missing important phone calls and wasting time playing ‘phone-tag’. Using VoIP, an employee can receive an important fax on a laptop while working remotely from home, and can redirect it to an associate within minutes. The benefits don’t stop there.
Reduced cost:
There are many ways VoIP can lower communications costs. Decreased costs mean increased revenues. Here are some of the financial benefits of implementing VoIP.
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- Cost per phone call: Making long distance or international calls over the phone can be very expensive. By using the same network, VoIP applications allow you to make calls from PC to PC for free. Avoiding long distance and per-minute charges can drastically decrease communication expenses. You can pay a low monthly flat fee to make an unlimited number of calls – including international. This cost savings to your expensive mobile phone plans.
- Operational costs: With VoIP technology you don’t need separate networks for data and voice communications. Everything can be done using the data network. Using specially designed phones, you can manage VoIP technology right from your desktop. There are several other ways VoIP technology cuts operational costs. First, it can allow you to cancel or reduce the number of your traditional “phone” lines, saving monthly fees and per minute charges. This can mean huge savings for companies that do international calling or have offices in other countries. Additionally, VoIP technology cuts down on the costs to move employees to home or remote offices.
- Infrastructure cost: VoIP technology lowers business equipment and overhead costs as well. For example, it gives you the ability to run phone extensions through your computer’s network connection. This saves you from having to host traditional PBX and “Key Systems”. Additionally, it can lower the number of devices you need to manage. You can use dual-mode phones – a telephone which uses more than one technique for sending and receiving voice and data. For example, this option allows an employee to use their mobile phone via either cellular or local WiFi services. This feature provides improved reliability, quality of service and cost savings.
Summary:
The impact from implementing VoIP technology can’t be overstated. It cuts costs, thus raising profits – something every business strives for. It also increases efficiency by consolidating all communication methods onto a single platform. Get in touch with a Managed Service Provider and ask them how they can get you started with this great technology called VoIP.
