A Few Things to Consider Before Selecting a VoIP Provider

Today, countless businesses have either already begun substituted their existing phone service with a Voice over Internet Protocol service, or are considering it. In fact, Voice over IP solutions are becoming so popular with companies of all sizes, that U.S. business penetration rates are predicted to reach nearly 80% in the next two years.

Listed below are two of the most common questions asked by customers who are considering moving to VoIP:

Q: What is required to move to Voice over IP?

A: First you need to decide whether you want to continue using your existing PBX. If you do, you will need a Voice over UP gateway in order to digitize analog calls from your TDM PBX. A crucial facet is the equipment components and design of your Local Area Network, as it will become part of your telecommunications infrastructure in a Voice over IP environment. In addition, you must ensure your equipment, including your router, firewall, and switch, are capable of handling Voice over IP, and are able to give voice traffic priority, and deliver the Quality of Service that a Voice over IP requires

SMBs that do not own a PBX will require either an analog telephone adapter or a Voice over IP device in addition to a router or Voice over IP gateway.

Q: What type of benefits does Voice over IP offer?

A: While initially the appeal of Voice over IP service was toll savings, there are many other reasons. For starters, Voice over IP runs over a business’s data network or Internet connection, which would provide your IT staff easy manage routine tasks, including activating features, adding or deleting users, and establishing voicemail boxes for no additional fee. This can save your business a significant amount of capital, as an outside vendor would typically charge a few hundred dollars an hour for the exact same job.

Another benefit of employing Voice over IP services is the mobility they provide. Exclusive features allow you and your team to work remotely while still being able to access additional features and advanced call handling at dramatically reduced costs. This is because unlike conventional telephony, Voice over IP takes advantage of the thousands of dollars worth of investments already made by a business via making use of the on hand network infrastructure for system installation.

If you are considering employing a Voice over IP service, contact one of our professional account managers today to learn more!