If you haven’t joined the millions of people on the planet who use the latest electronic technology to communicate, you may not know what VoIP is and you may not understand what it can do for you. As you learn about this communication method, you may also see these letters written as VOIP. Don’t be concerned about this small detail, because the benefits of VOIP are more important than whether you capitalize one letter or not.
Here’s the basic definition: You can make voice calls at any time, from anywhere, using a computer connected to the Internet. You will need the capability of VOIP, which stands for voice over Internet protocol, and it would certainly make this more convenient if you had a headset.
The technology converts your voice to a digital signal. It sounds simple, and for the general public it is easy to use. What are the benefits of VOIP? As the old television show stated in its opening, “I’m glad you asked that question.”
- You will pay less per call – In basic terms, VOIP is less expensive than traditional phone service. The solutions offered are low-risk, allowing you to pay only for the minutes you use. Not only do larger companies find it effective when they have several remote locations, these businesses are better able to control communication costs.
- Improved access – With the increase in remote-location employees, companies that have asked “why VOIP” can now answer with access to the business-communication network wherever they connect to the Internet
- Integrates with your technology – When you use VOIP phones, you use the Internet connection to transfer data, since the voice is converted to a digital signal. The system is capable of connecting to other Internet applications. For example, you can make outbound calls with email applications, including Outlook.
- Easy to Use – Long-standing businesses and individuals who have used traditional phone systems for years may feel changing to VOIP is a daunting task. This is not the case. You won’t have to shut down communications for any period of time to start enjoying the benefits of VOIP. You can generally start using your new system the same day and you won’t be bothered by maintenance issues.
- Great for Business – If you’re still wondering why VOIP would be a good option for your company, consider the extensive list of business services available. The features list includes voicemail-to-email, call monitoring, voicemail transcription, unlimited phone numbers and much more.
- Doing the Math – VoIP is borderless, scalable, and flexible, but is it really cost-effective? Is it worth switching to or letting go of your analog telephone service in favor of the VoIP system? Take a look at the building blocks of a standard VoIP system:
- The equipment: it can be a physical handset, such as an IP phone or an analog one with an adapter, or a softphone, which is a software program.
- The monthly cost: for a fixed fee a month per user, one takes advantage of numerous features, like unlimited phone calls and voicemail to text. Providers vary by their packages and pricing.
- The internet: a VoIP call requires 512 Kbps, and the demand for bandwidth increases when VoIP calls are simultaneously placed. Upgrading to a faster internet package is also warranted for additional lines.
- The maintenance: one can use hosted PBX, which does not need on-premise maintenance and training of personnel.
Companies are projected to save up to 75 percent in costs when they switch to VoIP, but the actual number varies by the equipment, the service fees, and more. You can check out the nitty-gritty of the VoIP system, how it works, how much it costs, and how it makes sense in your business in this guide.
In Conclusion
Add to this short list the benefit of cutting overhead costs, improved communication flexibility for you and for your customers, improved call quality, and ease of scaling up or scaling down, depending on your specific needs.
Stay ahead of the changes in technology by joining the millions who have discovered the world of VOIP communication. Once you start using VOIP phones and enjoying the benefits of VOIP, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to discover this method of staying in touch. It’s the smart move.
