There are many exciting and noteworthy reasons for the small enterprise to make the switch to VoIP telephony; cost savings and enhanced features often top the list, but what is the majority of businesses migrating to VoIP systems in the past year citing as their driving factors to make the switch?
The top five factors driving businesses to migrate to a VoIP based telecommunications system are:

1. Lowered operational expenses.
2. A greater variety of tools and features.
3. Greater usability in an easier to operate format.
4. Higher degrees of flexibility.
5. Enhanced security features.

Lowered Operational Expenses

Regardless of the size of a particular business, ongoing operational expenses have always been a concern. Businesses are unable to succeed without adequate communications services and in the past, telecommunications subscriptions have consumed a large deal of corporate finances.
While a large portion of the worlds businesses are still restricted by the constraints of conventional telephone service, a growing number are experiencing the benefits of a hosted VoIP system. Small businesses opting to take advantage of the low cost functionality of VoIP can expect many great rewards. Rewards like unlimited local and international calling, all inclusive feature sets and even valuable tools like the automated attendant all the while being able to save nearly 80% off of their previously calculated telecommunications expenses.

A Greater Variety of Tools and Features

While it is not uncommon for traditional phone service providers to offer features such as call forwarding and conference calling these features are normally only available at an added charge. Unlike traditional phone service, however, a business VoIP service plan provides all of the same great features and many more at no additional charge.

Greater Usability in an Easier to Operate Format

Some smaller businesses are still leery to migrate to VoIP as they fear the new technology will require them to spend countless hours and dollars training staff. This couldn’t be further from the truth. VoIP is extremely simple to set up and often requires little training. In fact, most people familiar with the operations of a standard telephone can already use VoIP.

Higher Degree of Flexibility

A VoIP system is one of the most versatile and flexible communications systems on the market. In fact, communications is possible from any location that maintains a valid Internet connection. Employees working from outside of the physical office location are given the freedom to access and use the corporate phone system by simply plugging their IP phone into a working broadband connection or taking advantage of a softphone application.
The flexibility of VoIP makes it the ideal system for any business, even more so for those routinely working from the road.

Enhanced Security Features

The fear of security intrusions and the misuse of information has long been a caution for businesses deploying new Internet based technology. While that fear may have been well substantiated three decades ago, VoIP as a technology has come a long way. VoIP service providers and hardware manufacturers have gone to great lengths to ensure that the services they provide are as secure and safe as possible. It is highly unlikely that anyone looking to do harm by breaching a company VoIP system will ever be able to get passed the stringent security measures taken by a reputable VoIP provider.
For businesses seeking to further secure their systems there are a number of sources available to assist them in firewall, encryption and data protection.