A phone system is an essential element in any business and deciding which type to go with can be a daunting task. One of the many options available to businesses includes a system often called “VoIP.” The acronym stands for “Voice over IP,” and basically means that you use a high-speed internet connection to make and receive calls. Here are some strong reasons to switch your business’s phone system to a VoIP system.
The Call Quality Is Excellent
One major benefit of using VoIP is that the call quality can be equal to or better than the quality of a traditional phone line. If your connection speed is fast enough and you have the appropriate router, no one will be able to tell you are using a VOIP service unless you tell them. This is especially good news for small businesses who wish to keep a professional image at all times.
It’s Cost-Effective
Most businesses have high-speed internet, and you usually don’t need a crazy internet speed to have an effective VoIP system. With most VoIP plans, international calls are often cheaper than traditional phone services and domestic calls are free. Installation is also minimal in cost; you usually just need to buy a special device that connects your phone system and your internet infrastructure, and you’re done.
This low cost comes from how the best VoIP company works. Where traditional landlines restrict how many and what kinds of calls they can make based on how many physical telephone lines the network has and who is using them at a given time, VoIP systems use the internet, which uses a pre-existing global network. When you pay for a certain internet speed, you essentially pay for how many ‘phone lines’ you can have; what a VoIP service does, in extremely brief terms, is turn the data into something a phone can recognize.
It Has a Lot of Features
VoIP supports a wide range of traditional phone features, including call waiting, hold, conference calling, and voicemail. VoIP isn’t limited to just traditional services, either; some service providers let you make video calls, make transcripts of your voicemail messages and email them to you or call multiple phones at once until one of them answers. Because everything is tied to a phone number rather than a device, you can essentially take these features with you or add and subtract them at will without impacting the phone you choose to use or purchasing additional hardware. Some VoIP systems also work with other phone technology, like fax machines.
It’s Mobile
This feature is where VoIP truly shines. A VoIP phone number can be assigned to ring on more than one device; for example, you can have calls come to your office phone, your home phone, and your cell phone at the same time. This also works conversely, where you can assign multiple phone numbers to the same phone. This can help your business look bigger than it is; for example, you can create phone numbers for accounts receivable, technical support and human resources and have them go to the same phone.
It’s Easy to Fix and Maintain
No phone system is perfect, so the fact that VoIP systems are traditionally simple to fix is a major plus. This is because many VoIP systems can be repaired remotely by contacting your service provider. An issue with VoIP can often be solved in a few minutes as well, which is far better than the waiting time for a traditional phone system. The fact most problems can be solved remotely also means that a VOIP system is also quite easy to maintain. On your business’s end, you will likely have to download software updates from time to time and little else.
It’s Secure
VoIP technology supports standardized encryption types, such as Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP) and Transport Layer Security (TLS). Both forms of encryption work together to ensure your communication is fully encrypted from outsiders. SRTP encrypts the actual voice data, while TLS encrypts key information, like phone numbers and usernames. SRTP uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), the same standard used by banks, government offices, and many other organizations to ensure your information isn’t stolen.
It’s Designed with Businesses in Mind
When you consider what features come standard with a VoIP system, it quickly becomes clear that VoIP is designed first and foremost for business use. VoIP seamlessly combines data and voice services, reduces the cost of making phone calls, faxes, and similar services, and does so with excellent quality. Add in video calling, high-quality audio, the ability to transfer files and the ability to use a desktop computer to control some features and you have a diverse and powerful communication tool that outshines traditional phone service. With features like these, it’s clear that VoIP is superior to basic phone lines.