There is not a business on the market, large or small, that does not cite increasing profitability and business growth as two of their objectives for the coming year. Many smaller businesses, however, do not have a clear strategy has to how they wish to achieve these objectives. Some of the most established methods of reaching goals like these is by streamlining costs and broadening the capabilities of the current communications system. The invention of the Internet brought many great things for the business world; one of which is VoIP telecommunications.
Quick thinking business professionals will implement VoIP into their telecommunications plan and enable themselves to push ahead of the competition while greatly reducing their on-going operational expenses. No one doubts the reliability of traditional landlines, VoIP is just as reliable and much more efficient – not to mention the wide variety of added bonuses.
VoIP technology works by transmitting voice calls over a high speed Internet connection, since the entire process is in a digital format charges are based on data consumption and not the length of telephone calls. Businesses take advantage of great features such as unlimited local and long distance calling capability; a huge benefit to businesses looking to drastically reduce their telecommunications expenses.
The majority of smaller businesses deciding to migrate from conventional telephony to VoIP are able to do so without losing their existing phone number; this is known as number portability. Not only does retaining their current number assist in the transition, but it also ensures that businesses retain their current client base without the need to notify each consumer of the new number. Number porting also saves the company from needing to go to the expense of new advertising materials or company stationary.
Generally speaking, the quality of service offered by VoIP far surpasses that of conventional telephony. Operating over a VoIP platform allows businesses access to many of the same features they would find with regular corded phone service and affords them the use of many more advanced tools and features. Features such as enhanced voicemail, Find Me – Follow me and even a personal automated attendant. One of the greatest attributes of a VoIP system is its ability to be accessed outside of the physical office location, enabling more companies to hire outside professionals and have the peace of mind that comes in knowing they are only a click away.
Initial VoIP installation is easy and can be achieved with minimal equipment. While businesses are given the option of continuing to use their current telephone hardware with the addition of a special VoIP adapter, they can also access the service through a software application using nothing more than a headset.
The most recognizable benefit of VoIP when used in a small business environment is obvious cost savings; most businesses report an 80% drop in their regular telecommunications expenses less than one year after migration.
Additional benefits include:
• A more streamlined and productive work environment.
• Less expensive telecommunications costs.
• A better use of corporate resources.
• Heightened customer service capabilities.
• Shortened response time.
• Enhanced collaboration between employees of multiple office locations and outside remote workers.
• Better use of integrated applications when used in conjunction with unified communications.
• Increased scalability, portability and profitability.
• The ability to utilize local calling and toll-free numbers.
• Enhanced company image.
VoIP gives smaller businesses the freedom to free up financial resources to be invested into new and innovated ways to increase their profitability and aid in their growth potential.
