One of the pillars of daily business operations is effective internal and external communication. The golden rule of modern corporate communications is progressively becoming Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Simply defined, it is a well-established technology that allows users to make phone calls while connected to the Internet. Developed in 1995, it has grown with the rise of internet to become more stable and reliable and has been the go-to choice for more and more organizations when upgrading their phone systems.
What Does VoIP Mean?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is, as the name implies, a set of technologies for transmitting voice communications (i.e., phone calls) over the internet.
This is why VoIP phone service is frequently referred to as internet phone service. The most basic definition of VoIP is that it allows you to make and receive phone calls via the internet rather than through a regular phone line.
What Are The Advantages of VoIP For Business?
Your organization can use VoIP to transform the internet service you now pay for into the backbone of a robust business phone system that costs a fraction of what a traditional telecoms solution would.
A VoIP phone system also allows your staff greater freedom than a traditional phone system. Your employees can use their company numbers to make and receive calls from their office phones, desktop computers, laptops, and even personal smartphones with VoIP.
You can also use VoIP to consolidate your company’s various communication methods, such as text messaging, online faxing, and video conferencing, onto a single platform. This means you won’t have to support many tools or pay multiple vendors to meet your demands.
What is the Purpose of A VoIP System?
Instead of managing multiple communication tools and providers that don’t necessarily work well together, a VoIP phone system helps you to consolidate more of your company’s business communications into a single solution.
Because their office phone numbers are no longer attached to any specific phone, VoIP systems allow you to release your employees from being tethered to their desks. With the RingCentral desktop app, for example, you can enable your team to make business calls from their desktop or laptop using nothing more than an internet connection, a microphone and speaker setup or headset.
Aside from complete softphone functionality, the RingCentral desktop app provides a single interface for various communication services your employees are likely to use on a daily basis, such as team messaging and collaboration, file sharing, task management, and online meetings.
Your staff can access all of this unified communications functionality – VoIP phone calls, SMS, conferencing, online meetings, even team messaging and collaboration – from a single app on their smartphones with the RingCentral mobile app.
What is the Difference Between VoIP and A Traditional Phone System?
Behind the scenes, VoIP differs from a traditional landline phone system. Circuit switching is used to link calls in traditional telecommunication systems. When you call someone on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), you’re connected to them in a circuit, and they’re connected to you in a circuit.
Circuit switching technology has been in use for almost a century. It is dependable and continues to function, but it is not the most efficient or cost-effective option.
Instead, VoIP employs the ‘packet switching’ mechanism. This means that information is only sent when it is required. Every time you talk, a brief, instant connection is established. The connection does not have to be bidirectional all of the time. Normally, you and the individual with whom you’re conversing will not be speaking at the same moment.
Furthermore, data packets are transferred quickly. They can take a variety of routes through the internet. When the packages arrive at their destination, they are reassembled.
Things to Consider When Choosing a VoIP Service In 2022
When choosing a business communications solution, it could have a significant impact on your company. While VoIP may be the greatest option, it’s critical to first undertake a current condition and needs analysis. Then you can see if corporate VoIP is a good fit for you. Here are some pointers to assist you in determining your needs and making informed decisions.
Would You Like To Keep Your Current Equipment? Does It Meet Your Requirements?
If you’re still using a classic PBX and don’t have the funds to replace all of your equipment at once, look for a VoIP solution that allows you to make a gradual transition. Whether the new VoIP system is compatible with your existing phone system, how to link them, how to assure company continuity during the upgrade, and so on. It’s also crucial to double-check that the VoIP service providers you’re considering will work with that equipment. Direct connection with the VoIP provider is critical at this time.
What Kind Of Unified Communications Features Does It Provide?
VoIP phone systems include a variety of telephony features for handling audio calls, but connection with coworkers and customers isn’t restricted to voice. This is why unified communications (UC) has been brought to the business communications scene, and why UC should be one of your top objectives when evaluating your VoIP options.
At its most basic level, unified communications entails consolidating a plethora of communication channels and possibilities into a single point of entry. In fact, most UC products rely on VoIP as a basis, and many VoIP providers include some UC features in their portfolios to enhance capabilities and flexibility.
The following are some of the most common UC features:
- Messaging Unified
- Immediate Messaging (chat)
- Presence
- Business Directory
- Video Conferencing is a technology that allows people to communicate via video.
- Collaboration in a group
Can it be Integrated with Other Platforms Or Tools?
In such a fast-changing environment, it is vital for organizations to remain adaptable and ready. With the proliferation of systems, platforms, and software in the workplace, both managers and employees want a unified and integrated solution to boost efficiency, which is why the ability of a VoIP system to integrate and interact seamlessly with other solutions is more vital than ever.
It will be easier for you and your team to interact, collaborate, engage with one another, and expedite the whole workflow if your phone system is connected to other business-enhancing solutions. Thankfully, several VoIP companies ensure that their phone service is compatible with popular collaboration and communication software.
Final Thoughts
Switching to VoIP could save you money on communication services. With a VoIP service, long-distance and international calls are usually free. Your internet connectivity is the sole cost.
When you use VoIP, you don’t have to use IP-enabled phones for all of your employees. Even if you have analogue telephone stations, the finest VoIP providers integrate IP telephony in a way that safeguards your investment in current telephone equipment.
At Telco Data, we offer a wide variety of VOIP phone systems for businesses in Texas. Give us a call or send us an email today to schedule a free consultation or request a free quote.
