Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that has been designed for high quality voice calling.
You can make calls from a computer, smartphone or other devices using a broadband Internet connection.
It works by converting your voice back into a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination, and you can call local or international numbers.
It is an ideal solution for businesses who are small to medium size who want to communicate more efficiently. As a significant advancement in forms of communication, VoIP offers a variety of benefits for users.
Setting Up Your VoIP
You will need to do the relevant research into which VoIP service provider will work for you and your business, depending on your budget, available features, customer support and scalability.
Before you sign up, you will need to assess the speed of your current Internet connection to check its suitability.
VoIP-enabled phones are available on the market, but you can purchase an adapter to use with existing phones.
The routers and switches need to be configured to avoid any unstable connections, and then you can install the software.
You can then thoroughly test the system to make sure your connection is running seamlessly, and provide any team training.
What Is Cloud-Based VoIP
Cloud-based VoIP, also known as off-site VoIP, is hosted at your service provider’s data centre rather than your own location.
Your service provider will own and maintain the hardware, and your information is stored in the cloud.
This is beneficial for businesses who are just starting out, and may not have a dedicated IT team on-site to oversee updates and maintenance.
Cloud-Based VoIP Benefits
Compared to traditional phone systems, cloud-based VoIP offers a range of benefits and features, particularly when it comes to cost-effective solutions, reliability and scalability for growing your business.
A Cost-Effective Solution
As a small to medium size business, you want to cut operational expenses as much as possible.
With a cloud-based system, the only real expense is the purchase of the IP phones.
Your subscription fee with the service provider usually covers the cost of support and maintenance, but you will need to confirm this in your subscription.
These systems generally work on a per-user basis, so you have the flexibility to increase the capacity as you need.
It Offers Flexibility
These systems are ideal for businesses who have employees that work remotely or are required to travel frequently.
You can make calls from just about anywhere in the world, provided you have a stable Internet connection.
Since most companies have shifted to remote or hybrid work in the last few years, it’s an attractive option for flexibility.
It Caters For Scalability
For growing companies, your cloud-based phone system is able to grow alongside you as you need.
You can pay to add new lines or features without the hassle of installation or buying new equipment.
Updates also occur in the cloud itself automatically, which is both a money and time-saver.
It’s Reliable
The beauty of cloud-based VoIP systems is its reliability for businesses who generally contact third parties outside of the company on a daily basis, including clients or customers.
These systems are hosted in multiple locations which means if one server fails, another one will pick up and you don’t need to lose out on any vital communication time.
Is Cloud-Based VoIP The Right Option For You?
If you are a large enterprise, you may want to have an in-house maintenance team available for traditional phone lines.
Smaller businesses often can’t justify the cost of this, or even have the finances readily available.
Cloud-based systems are then typically suited to businesses with around 50 employees or less.
Based on the above benefits, you can assess if these VoIP systems will add benefit to you and your business depending on your financial situation and how quickly you want to grow.
