With the number of 3 billion mobile consumers forecast to use VoIP service in 2021, it comes as no surprise that more companies worldwide turn to implementation of Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP software to deliver a one-stop-shop solution for connecting globally and achieving business purposes hassle-free.
VoIP: Definition
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and implies the voice and audio data transfer over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. By applying this technology, VoIP service providers enable the usage of regular telephony functionality online.
Being a viable and flexible solution, VoIP lets shift to making calls from the Internet seamlessly and, thus, unlocks the considerable saving options on call expenses while ensuring better management by the unification of the office systems.
Advantages Of VoIP For Businesses
With Voice protocol, the voice information is sent digitally by the same network you use for Internet access, which enables receiving and giving calls in real-time. In bypassing traditional landlines, cost on telephony significantly reduces for local and international calls alike.
To simplify the procedure, your business phone system is hosted in the cloud and assisted by your service provider on an ongoing contract basis meaning that you are never challenged with unexpected charges or rates hikes.
VoIP connects calls in dual mode:
- to other VoIP lines
- to traditional landlines.
The useful VoIP features that businesses utilize for facilitating their business operations and increasing office communication effectiveness include:
- Virtual auto attendants
- Automatic call transfer
- Voicemail to email transcription
- Call forwarding.
With implementing VoIP, businesses can realize three major goals:
– cost-effectiveness of business operation
– increase in productivity
– improvement of customer satisfaction.
Apparently, VoIP has altered the business environment in terms of considerable expansion in the telephony inventory. With the diversity of offers available in the market though, businesses need efficient consideration of the VoIP system criteria evaluation prior to making the final choice.
Choosing a VoIP System Wisely
There are six important criteria to consider before you start a journey on implementing a VoIP phone system in your business:
- You need to understand what VoIP is in terms of general application
The concept behind VoIP popularity is its ability to mainstream cellular networks and facilitate free ‘identical network’ calls within your monthly contract.
If the idea of a cost-effective solution seems appealing and you feel that you can easily incorporate it into your business digital ecosystem, then VoIP is for you, and at the next stage, you will have to make a deeper analysis of VoIP options in terms of catering to your business niche.
- You need to understand what VoIP is in terms of application to your business needs
VoIP will be a perfect choice for your business purpose if your business activity requires portability or, overall, your business cannot do without extended phone capabilities (for example, call forwarding, call analytics, anonymous call rejection).
Besides, modern VoIP systems easily integrate with third-party tools and software, which translates into wide opportunities for your business in terms of business operations optimization and scalability.
- You need to hit the list of major VoIP system providers to understand the scope of functionality they offer
The key players on the market are:
- 8×8 (among many great options, there is a feature that enables you to calls clients remotely from mobile without disclosing the personal phone number)
- Vonage (there is a selective block option in addition to easy setup and high call quality)
- RingCentral (one of the best communication platforms offering extensions for mobile devices and enabling videoconferencing in a click)
- Avoxi (famous for providing a virtual phone number in any country along with a package of over 20 VoIP features on a reasonable price)
- Talkroute (easy-to-use virtual manager of incoming business calls of clear quality)
- Hottelecom (one of the leaders on the market that offers 6000 virtual phone numbers of 100 countries on affordable pricing plans).
- You need to assess the prices and packages to choose the ones within your budget
The availability of low-budget packages usually means a limited number of features. So if your business can do with the basic telephony options, you can explore the cheaper offers. But if your business agenda implies operating on rare international numbers or requires high-quality customer service, then you need to go above the minimal budget.
- You need to have providers’ rating overview
Business owners opt for honest reviews when it comes to choosing the service providers. In particular, such SaaS directories as G2, TrustRadius, Capterra are regarded as best among well-reputed. All of them offer a detailed comparison of VoIP software providers based on social data and verified users’ reviews.
- You need to be sure of VoIP provider’s reliability and security
In case of disregarding the VoIP service provider portfolio or failure on reliability check of VoIP quality service, businesses might fall victim to security and privacy concerns associated with the online activities and prevent DoS attacks, call fraud and hijacking or malware threats.
To cover the possible vulnerabilities, you need to choose VoIP vendors with a strong portfolio that proved their presence on the market with successfully completed projects.
Concluding Thought
Equipped with the 6 criteria listed above, businesses will be able to make the VoIP system choice best suited to their specific needs to enable the online telephony advantages and unlock a new level of business productivity with the modern digital phone systems solutions.
