Part 1: What is Business VoIP?

This is the first article, in a step-by-step series, that will discuss the entire process of migrating your organization to a Business VoIP System.

Last week, I gave a general overview of the migration process, in: Your Business Can Migrate to VoIP in 6 Easy Steps. The following article can be considered  a bit of a review for our loyal readers –or a crash-course on Business VoIP for those who are new to the blog.  We’ll be focusing on the basics of what Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is and how your business can benefit.  Next week, we’ll dive right in and begin discussing the options available to you for Business VoIP.

1. What is Business VoIP?
   • Simply, VoIP is a technology which gives users the ability to make and receive calls over the internet, rather than old copper telephone lines.

 

2.  How is a Business VoIP system different from a traditional business telephone system?  
   • Both VoIP, and traditional telephone communications, accomplish the same thing –allowing individuals to have a conversation with each other, without having to be within close physical proximity.
   • The most significant differentiating factor between VoIP and traditional telephone communications is how one’s voice is transmitted during a call.
     • Traditional telephone communications rely on pairs of copper wires, which are able to establish connections between telephones, via expensive switching equipment (such as a traditional PBX [private branch exchange])). For the entire length of the call, a continuous copper connection must be established between the locations.
     • VoIP telephones rely on the internet as a way of establishing connections between telephones.

 

3. How does operating a VoIP phone compare to a traditional office telephone?
   • Operating a VoIP phone can be remarkably similar to operating a traditional office telephone.
   • Business VoIP systems are very capable of emulating traditional telephone features.
   • In fact, we have consistently observed that users tend to become comfortable with their new VoIP phones and systems in a very short period of time. The operational similarities between the two, likely play a fair role in this.

 

4. What are some of the advantages of Business VoIP?
   • SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS! – It’s not uncommon for a business to save 50% or more, per month, over what they were paying for their traditional phone system. This is possible because of the fact that VoIP uses the Internet for phone calls. Additionally, VoIP does not rely on expensive copper lines, like traditional telephone systems do.
   • Scalable – you can easily add phones as needed.
   • Feature-rich – Does what your traditional system can do and more.
   • Ability to have phones, at multiple office locations, function as if they were all at the same office.
   • Excellent mobility – have calls forwarded to your cell phone. You can even use an application, like Bria, to use your cell phone as if it were an additional office phone.
   • Ability to take your desk phone home with you and work from home, without your customers knowing the difference.
   • System changes can usually be done remotely; therefore, an office visit from a tech is rarely necessary.
   • For older telephone systems, parts are becoming more difficult to procure. If you should need to replace a part, it could take some time to get. Meanwhile, your traditional system could be rendered unusable while you’re waiting for the part.

There is no question about it –VoIP is going to replace traditional phone service. It’s no longer a new technology. Business VoIP is reliable and very capable. Once you experience Business VoIP, you’ll never want to touch a traditional telephone again!

Next week, we’ll discuss some of the available business VoIP options so that you can begin thinking about what will best suit your business. Of course, if you can’t wait until next week, give us a call at (855) 783-2332 and one of our staff can help you assess your situation.

If you have a question, or would like to add something to this article, you can write a comment below.