VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) has revolutionised how businesses worldwide communicate. Before its inception in the 1990s, companies had to rely on making international and long-distance calls. This was a nightmare, especially when you think about how each of those phone calls cost.
Today, it’s not uncommon to see companies having their own VoIP systems. Not only does it cut costs significantly, but it also simplifies communications between stakeholders. It helped transform how workplaces operate as well, making it possible for businesses to offer their staff the option to work either onsite or remotely.
What is VoIP?
VoIP is a communications tool that uses broadband internet connections instead of traditional phone lines. It lets users place calls directly through a computer, an IP phone, or even a traditional phone using a special adapter.
A VoIP phone system for business works similarly to email deliveries. When you make a call, the service breaks the voice down into digital signals. The data then travels through the internet until it reaches its intended destination.
The signals are repackaged, and the sender’s voice is conveyed to the receiver on the other end. In this sense, it doesn’t have too much of a difference from a traditional phone call.
Onsite vs. Cloud-based VoIP
There are two main ways a VoIP call can be delivered: onsite solution or cloud-based.
For an onsite solution, you can use your company’s existing legacy phone system. You can install a VoIP software on company servers and manage all calls in-house.
An onsite system gives you more control over communications, but it will require you to have the necessary hardware and maintenance to keep your VoIP system running. This is also more expensive to maintain compared to cloud-based solutions.
In a cloud-based system, you need to have your VoIP PBX (Private Branch Exchange) system hosted by a third party. You won’t have to build your own software since you’ll have another company’s data centre manage calls for you. It is more affordable and easier to maintain than an onsite system.
5 Benefits of VoIP for Businesses
Much of the popularity of VoIP communication comes from its many different benefits. If you’re a small business, you can switch to VoIP without spending a ton of money on hardware. If you’re a big company, you can adjust the size of your network depending on how large your workforce is.
Here are five of the most common benefits of having a VoIP system.
1. It’s cost-effective
One of the biggest advantages of using VoIP is its cost-effectivity. Most modern workplaces already have broadband internet connections, so it only makes sense to use existing systems for communications. It eliminates the need for you to make pricey long-distance calls.
Building a PBX framework is also easier and more economical to do these days. You can upgrade your VoIP system by installing new software as soon as it becomes available. You don’t have to worry about replacing any of your hardware either, saving your company a lot of money in the long run.
2. It’s mobile
Unlike traditional phone systems, VoIP is mobile. You can make a phone call almost anywhere as long as you have a solid internet connection. This is considered extremely valuable, especially in today’s world where companies adopt more remote work.
Having VoIP means you can easily communicate with your employees, whether they’re in the office or working from home. You’ll also be able to use the same number to make phone calls even when in different countries.
3. It requires less hardware
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to install and manage a VoIP phone system for business. Even if you have smaller hardware in place, it’s still more affordable to maintain compared to older PBX systems. It doesn’t require you to have large phone servers and new boards every time you switch systems.
If keeping an onsite solution is sounding too costly, you can use a cloud-based system instead. You can have a third-party company handle your VoIP system for you. This saves you time and money in maintaining hardware and keeping a dedicated IT team to manage it.
4. It’s scalable
A cloud-based VoIP gives you the option to scale your phone system depending on your company’s needs. If you want to expand your network, you don’t have to buy new hardware. You can simply request your VoIP service provider to create new phone lines for your business.
The plug-and-play nature of cloud-based VoIP also means you can easily decommission unnecessary phone lines. All you have to do is ask for the unused numbers to be removed from your VoIP system.
5. It’s easy to use
A VoIP phone system is very simple to use that even your customers can use it, too. It doesn’t differ too much from a traditional phone line. You just have to dial a specific number, and it will connect you directly to the right person or office. Since it’s very user-friendly, it will help improve your customers’ brand experience.
VoIP and the Future of Telecommunications
VoIP continues to change the landscape of businesses. With newer and better technologies being developed, we’ll see more companies adopt their own phone systems.
The pros of having VoIP far outweigh its cons. Investing in a phone system today will help save you hundreds of thousands of pounds in the future. You won’t have to worry about spending a lot of money every time you make important phone calls.
If you need help in setting up a VoIP phone system for business, Planet Numbers UK can provide your VoIP service and technology requirements.
