VoIP is an advanced business communication tool that elevates your team’s workflow. It combines calls, messaging, video conferences, and productivity tools on a unified platform.
How It Works
With a VoIP network, voice calls are made over the Internet. This allows businesses to reduce costs by eliminating long-distance charges and per-minute fees for every call they receive or make. An IP phone connects to a router or switch in your Local Area Network (LAN) to make a call. The voice data packets are sent across the Internet to your provider, who converts them back into sound. This process uses minimal bandwidth compared to traditional landlines. VOIP also lets you access premium features like call recording, virtual receptionists, voicemail to email, video conference, instant messaging, call analytics, and customer relationship management integration. Businesses must have a unified communications solution that’s easy to integrate with other tools and platforms to improve productivity and collaboration. It’s important to note that creating a VoIP system from Ooma requires a high-speed Internet connection. You should opt for wired connections rather than WiFi to ensure optimal performance.
Benefits
Using a VoIP system eliminates or greatly reduces fees charged by phone companies for calling over landlines. It lets organizations save on equipment and installation costs by moving their business communication onto a broadband network. A good VoIP provider will operate its private packet-switched network to ensure the best call quality and reliability. This is a significant improvement over traditional landlines, which transfer calls across many intermediary networks that are outside the control of your telecom carrier and can compromise call quality. VoIP provides a variety of other benefits as well, including advanced conference features, operator panels, voicemail-to-email transcription, on-hold music, and instant messaging. These functions can help businesses to improve the customer journey by addressing consumer questions and concerns more quickly and effectively.
Costs
Unlike landlines that require tons of equipment, VoIP networks are much more affordable to install and maintain. Depending on your tiered package and other features, VoIP systems can be extremely affordable – especially with pay-as-you-go plans that providers typically offer. In addition, VoIP networks are highly scalable. If you’re overgrowing or shrinking your team, you can add or reduce phone lines in real time without investing in new hardware or dedicated phone lines. The main costs associated with a VoIP network are your monthly provider fees and any additional equipment like desk phones, adapters, or headsets. These fees are based on how many users, outside lines, and other features your business requires. Most providers use a tiered pricing model, and the more users you register, the more you save. You’ll also want to consider any other services you may need – such as call recording or integration with other business tools like CRM and project management apps.
Implementation
VoIP converts your phone’s signal to data packets and is transmitted over the Internet. This is much easier than transmitting traditional voice signals over the copper lines of a telephone network. Once the call is received, your provider converts these packets into audio for you to hear. Many VoIP providers offer a range of features such as voicemail, call transfer, auto-attendant, conferencing, on-hold music, voicemail to email, and missed calls. Some systems also provide advanced telephony solutions such as virtual receptionists, call recording, and video conference calling. As more employees work from home or are on the go, unified communication is essential for effective teamwork and business operations. Modern digital workspaces enable employees to work as if they are in the same room and support collaboration between teams with a single platform for messaging, meetings, and documents.
