VoIP services provide enhanced reliability, lower costs, and allows companies to communicate more seamlessly throughout the enterprise, regardless of where their employees are located globally. Further, because VoIP services utilize the Internet to deliver both voice and multimedia through the same connection, it has forever changed the way that businesses communicate.
There is a multitude of reasons for switching your communications to VoIP services, but the primary benefits of VoIP services are:
One Wiring Plan
Rather than having a separate wiring plan for data and telephones, all voice and data are carried over the same wiring plan over the LAN (local area network). A well-designed VoIP system will have plenty of bandwidth available to accommodate both voice and data services.
Online Administration
When you utilize VoIP services, all administrative functions can be performed through a secure, web-based administration panel. From adding new users or to deleting users, changes can be made remotely within a matter of minutes. This is a huge improvement over older technology where you often had to wait for days for your telecommunications vendor to add additional telephone extensions.
Long Distance Calling Over the Internet
When you utilize VoIP services, long distance calling charges are greatly reduced because the calls are switched over the Internet. This is particularly useful for mobile or off-site employees who can utilize VoIP services that are owned and administered by the company from any location in the world where they have Internet access. Further, because the calls are switched over the Internet, there are no additional calling charges regardless of the employee’s physical location.
Instant Messaging Services
Instant messaging is a valuable business tool that can maximize employee productivity while reducing costs. By utilizing VoIP services for instant messaging, your business creates a private chat network versus using one of the public chat services that may not be as secure. This ensures that management has complete control over messaging services used across the enterprise.
Peer-to-Peer Calling
When you use VoIP services, all calling is peer-to-peer – wherein each workstation can act as a server for the others, allowing shared access to files and peripherals. This is a huge advantage over the traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) because the calls are set up by the VoIP server and the calls flow between the two endpoints. All of the video or voice traffic is always between the two endpoints, thereby eliminating congestion on the server.
Remote Users
Any user who is logged into the system can receive or make telephone calls. This is especially helpful for businesses who have remote or mobile employees who are not physically located at the company’s office. For instance, if a call comes in for your remote employee who works out of their home in Wichita but you are located in Los Angeles, the call can be transferred seamlessly to the remote employee as if they were within your offices. In addition, other valuable resources such as voice mail, email, and automated attendant are all centralized through VoIP services.
Presence Management
Presence Management is one of the most popular features of VoIP services. It allows users to set their status so that other users know when they are available. This feature is similar to the “Do Not Disturb” button on older telephone systems which indicates to other users that the user is not available.
Reduced Costs
VoIP services deliver advanced features typically associated with more expensive telecommunications technologies without the need to make a capital outlay.
Investment Protection
Since all communications will be IP-based at some point in the near future, it makes good business sense to implement VoIP services as soon as it’s practical to do so. By investing in a VoIP solution, you’re guaranteeing that the money you spend today will benefit your business well into the future.
Now, more than ever before, businesses have to be nimble and flexible in order to compete. They need access to advanced features such as unified communications, video conferencing and more. VoIP services effectively meet these needs. VoIP services are no longer a luxury that only large organizations can afford to deploy, but are becoming a necessity for businesses of all sizes.
Because of the rapid speed of innovation in the VoIP industry, even small businesses can afford to utilize VoIP services. Conference calls can be scheduled effortlessly and participants can join in no matter where they may be in the world. And the most important benefit of all is that VoIP services integrate all of these features at an incredibly low cost, compared to legacy carriers who charged significantly more for comparable services.
Since 2001, Clarus Communications has been providing businesses with VoIP services and VoIP phone systems, in the greater St. Louis, Missouri area, and nationwide. Our consultants would be delighted to work with your organization, to determine how VoIP services can meet your needs now, as well as provide for future growth and flexibility. We invite you to contact us today at 314-801-6700, to find out how VoIP services can benefit your business.