Sometimes, a technological innovation comes and disrupts the status quo, forcing industries to adapt or else go the way of the dodo. Out of this tech revolution, business models emerge that open up new markets and spawn new jobs.
They call this innovation ‘disruptive technology,’ and it’s well-named: it does disrupt well-established companies. You can probably think of a few examples of this because we’ve had a spate of those starting in the late 20th century. In the telecommunication industry, a technology that’s been gradually pushing out traditional telephony is becoming a more dominant force: the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
What is VoIP?
VoIP is different from traditional telephony in that it doesn’t use traditional copper wires. Instead, data and voice are transmitted over the internet. Where traditional telephones transmit audio through the PSTN or Public Switched Telephone Networks, VoIP uses IP networks. As long as there’s connection to the internet, calls can be made anywhere in the world. VoIP’s flexibility and mobility are what separate this technology from old-school phones.
Previously, VoIP was used mainly for personal use in instant and video messaging, like Skype. Now that faster broadband connections are here, making calls through VoIP is easier. Apps that use VoIP have multiplied, with hundreds of millions of subscribers. Businesses are starting to migrate to the much cheaper VoIP. Calls being paid by the minute is losing their appeal, what with voice calling freely available on apps like Viber, WhatsApp, Messenger, etc.
To handle a company’s telecommunication needs, VoIP providers are offering services directly to businesses. Apps like those previously mentioned are more suited for individuals and not for a whole company’s needs. And if you’re thinking about switching your company’s traditional PBX (Private Branch Exchange) to a VoIP system, here are some things to know about VoIP phone distributors:
- Rates and Features
The significant savings that a company will realize is enough of a motivator to replace the old phone system with the new. But beyond the obvious savings, you should also consider the different features that distributors offer. Some distributors have additional charges for features, while others include them in the service. However, you don’t have to avail of all the features that are offered; you can select only those that are vital to your business operations.
Compare the distributors, and find out the features you’ll use and features you can do without. There are companies like NTS Direct that offer a wide range of features and products you need for a VoIP phone system.
- Mobile Apps
For businesses with a number of remote workers, a VoIP telecommunication system provides huge benefits. Compare how these distributors stack up against each other: call forwarding to mobile phones is a standard feature, but how about apps that let your workers use faxes, voicemail, or Business SMS? There are many VoIP phone features that your business needs, and not just a simple call forwarding. Pick a VoIP distributor that can give your business everything it requires.
- Third-Party Integrations
You should also take into account a VoIP distributor’s ability to integrate well with services you’re already using. If a distributor can’t give you that level of integration, it could cost you in the long run, not to mention the time you’d spend re-creating data or migrating everything to the new system. In addition, Microsoft Teams Direct Routing with Certified SBC Integration is something worth checking into as well.
- Unified System
From simple landlines to cloud-based systems, business telephones have evolved and will continue evolving as technology carries it along. The telephone’s next phase in its evolution is UCaaS or Unified Communications as a Service. With UCaaS, a single provider can give your company all its communication needs, instead of using different distributors for various services.
A unified system can give your workers flexibility for the features they need, like online meetings, team messaging, collaboration, and video conferencing. Moreover, this system doesn’t rely on specialized tech support for reconfiguring your existing systems or adding users. Your staff can reconfigure UCaaS from a PC or even a mobile device. And with its inclusive pricing from a single vendor, costs would be easier to manage.
- Redundancy
When you’re shopping around for your VoIP distributor, be sure to find out if they offer built-in redundancy. Sure, VoIP is reliable, but there will be times when your internet connection experiences problems. When that happens, having a VoIP you can rely on is crucial, especially for businesses that depend on telephones for their customer and vendor communications.
A ‘call continuity’ is one of the forms of VoIP redundancy that you should ensure your provider offers. With call continuity, your staff’s mobile numbers are connected to their VoIP line for smooth call forwarding if your internet is down.
Conclusion
Getting your company to transition from a PSTN to VoIP can be beneficial, whether your company is small or not. If you know what you’re looking for, you’ll find the right plan with the right distributor. Not only will you save a pretty penny, but you’ll also increase your productivity and improve your phone system’s capabilities.
