VoIP, which sometimes stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, has been one of the less expensive and more effective means to provide your business with an effective and efficient phone line. While most home customers usually only get basic services from their telephone company, business owners can select from hundreds of features and tools that they require to ensure their company’s call center remains competitive in today’s market. However, hosting a phone center does not necessarily come cheap. In fact, a hosted PBX solution can cost every small business more than a single phone line. There are several reasons why hosted PBX solutions are more expensive than traditional telephone or wired systems.
A hosted PBX system uses a central server instead of individual computers. This makes them more difficult to troubleshoot, but also increases the amount of memory and processing power each server can use. Some companies with this type of service choose not to upgrade to a new hosting plan until their current system is at least five years old. While this can be prohibitively expensive at first, it saves money in the long run since it reduces the number of upgrades needed to support new needs. Upgrades can also be done much easier and more effectively with a hosted system, since the technical staff is already familiar with its functions.
VoIP is also less susceptible to damage or destruction than a traditional phone service.
This is because there is no wiring between the phones and the IP servers. Unlike a landline, calls can be made and received on a voice level with no interference from other networks. Because there is no wire to worry about, businesses can place lines anywhere without fear of interference.
But perhaps the biggest barrier businesses face with VoIP is the lack of portability. Even though VoIP utilizes digital transmissions, it must still be plugged into an analog telephone system (known as a PSTN). This means that any outgoing calls will need to be handled using the traditional telephone system. This can be inconvenient when traveling for business or pleasure. In addition, even VoIP systems can experience problems that limit voice call quality or call delivery.
For this reason, most businesses avoid VoIP unless they have a specific requirement for doing so. If your business depends on regular phone services, you should seriously consider switching over to VoIP before the transition costs become significant. You can find a variety of different plans to choose from based on how much you are willing to pay. Pay-as-you-go options require a minimum monthly payment, while prepaid plans allow you to make calls at a reduced cost for a set period of time.
With VoIP phone service, you will also benefit from a business’s increased mobility. Instead of being tied down to a desk in an office, your employees can now use their laptops and mobile devices when making a call. You can also use VoIP software on your computer to take calls when you are not in the office. This allows you to conduct business deals with clients anywhere in the world.
The benefits of VoIP phone service extend beyond its mobility however.
Voice over Internet protocol technology can significantly reduce the cost of long distance calls as well as international calling. Most VoIP phones will allow users to select a toll free number which can be used for voice calls and faxes alike. This ensures that you do not incur long-distance fees when making long distance calls.
- VoIP can be a great option for your business.
- Switching over to a new phone service is easy and will provide you with the professional image and greater communications capabilities that you desire.
- You may want to try out VoIP to see if it is right for your business.
- By testing the service yourself you can determine whether it will suit your needs and requirements. Once you have made the decision, you can get started enjoying the benefits of voice over Internet protocol.
