Business VoIP is becoming the choice of most businesses today. If you are thinking about switching to a business VoIP phone system, read on to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of such a switch.  Talk to the telecommunications experts at Network Telecom today, if you are looking to save money and streamline by switching to VoIP.

 

 

 

 

What Is VoIP?

VoIP stands for voice over Internet protocol. Simply put, it’s the technology that allows you to use your Internet connection to make phone calls. VoIP converts the analog sound of your voice into a digital signal that can be transmitted over the Internet. To learn more about VoIP check out our post entitled “What is VoIP.”

 

Advantages of Business VoIP

 

Your Costs Will Be Much Lower With VoIP Than a Traditional Business Phone System:

 

When you install a business VoIP system, you will experience a significant amount of monthly savings. This is because you only need to pay for your Internet connection, which you are probably already paying for, in order to use your VoIP. You are not charged for individual calls and even your long distance and international calls are free.

 

VoIP Gives You Some Great and Very Helpful Features For No Extra Charge:

 

Many of the features that you have to pay for with a traditional landline are free with VoIP. In addition, VoIP also offers you features that aren’t available with landlines. Some of these include:

• Auto attendant
• Call waiting
• Transferring calls to mobile devices
• Voicemail to email
• Phone logs
• Video calling

 

Some VoIP systems can convert a voice message to an email or text message

 

 

VoIP Allows Your Staff to Easily Collaborate:

 

Once you have a VoIP phone system, you will find that collaboration between your employees will be much easier. Because VoIP uses data signals just like your other online devices, it integrates well with video, web video conferencing, email, and instant messaging.

 

VoIP Will Increase Productivity as Staff Can Work Remotely:

 

VoIP allows you to use your business phone system remotely. This means that if you are away from the office or working from home, your calls can be seamlessly transferred to your mobile device so that it will seem to your customers that you are actually in the office. It allows you the flexibility of accessing your data and network no matter where you are. You will never need to miss another important call again!

 

 

With VoIP your calls can be seamlessly transferred to your mobile device when you are away from the office

 

 

Disadvantages of Business VoIP

 

The Quality of Calls May Be Lower Than With a Landline:

 

VoIP has come a long way since it was first introduced; call quality has improved considerably. However, some users still complain about delays, weird sounds, noise, and echoes.

Solution: In order to avoid these annoyances you should make sure that you invest in:

• a good broadband connection capable of handling VoIP calls
• high-quality VoIP telephone sets and other hardware
• a reliable VoIP service provider

 

 

Invest in a high-quality VoIP telephone for the best call quality – Image Source: Avaya

 

Security Is a Concern Because VoIP Uses an Internet Connection:

Like any other Internet services, security is a real concern. Some of the more common VoIP security issues include:

• Identity and service theft: stealing important information such as names, passwords, and phone numbers by hacking into calls or making calls using the victim’s account.
• VoIP Phishing: calling as a fake trusted organization like a bank and then asking for confidential information.
• Viruses and Malware: since VoIP runs on computer networks, it is susceptible to malicious attacks from viruses and malware.

Solution: Make sure that any data that is transmitted over a VoIP network that has been encrypted.

 

 

VoIP encryption will make your calls more secure

 

If Your Internet Connection Goes Down Your Business Phone System Goes Down:

 

Because VoIP works over an Internet connection, if that connection goes down or is interrupted, you will not be able to use your phone. This can be a huge problem for most businesses, especially those that rely heavily on their phone system to do business.

Solution: Choose an Internet service provider that offers call continuity and system redundancy that will automatically forward your calls in real time to a pre-specified cell number if your Internet connection goes down.

 

If Your Power Goes Out, You Cannot Use Your Phone:

 

Unlike traditional PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)  phones that use copper wires hardwired to a public exchange to carry analog voice data, VoIP hardware requires electric power to work. If your power goes out so does your phone system.

Solution: Install an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) which stores backup battery power to keep your VoIP phone going if your power goes out. Since a UPS is essentially a big battery, there is a limit to how long it will keep you up and running.

 

 

Install a dedicated broadband connection for your VoIP, separate from the connection you use for all of your other Internet requirements – Image Source: Photo by Venveo on Unsplash

 

 

If Your VoIP Connection Is Shared, You May Experience Poor Voice Quality During Peak Times:

 

Often in a corporate setting, you will have a high-speed broadband connection that is used for all of your data and communication needs, including downloads, server connectivity, chat, and email as well as your VoIP requirements. With multiple users all accessing these at various times, you will never know the exact number of people using your broadband resources at any given time. Its hard to have sufficient bandwidth at all times. During peak times you may find that your phone line quality is lower.

Solution: Some businesses are installing a dedicated broadband connection for their VoIP usage separate from the connection they use for all of their other Internet requirements. If this solution is outside of your budget or isn’t practical, you and your staff can also try minimizing your Internet usage whenever you are talking on the phone.

 

 

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