Top Ten Ways to Save With VoIP Services
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems are legendary for their ability to slash communications budgets. Flexibility, integration with the data network, and streamlined technology add up to sizable cost savings.
Lower Long Distance Bill. Because VoIP services use the data network rather than the public switched telephone network (PSTN), they eliminate the long-distance tolls associated with traditional phone service.
Less Equipment. IP communications systems dispense with the costly equipment of traditional business telephony: the private branch exchange, and switchboards. Hosted services remove the infrastructure cost altogether, requiring only a company local area network (LAN) and handsets. Even on-premises VoIP systems eliminate physical equipment because the system runs on the existing data network and IP private branch exchange (PBX) software. Many IP communications solutions can also repurpose legacy hardware, saving companies even more on equipment costs.
Single Network Infrastructure. In most cases, the IP communications infrastructure is already in place. VoIP trades PSTN wiring and switchboards for the existing data network, running on the same network the company uses for data communications.
Maintenance Savings. Data networks are cheaper to maintain than traditional wired business telephone systems. Moves, adds, and changes, for example, used to require the manual rewiring and rerouting of office phone lines. IP communications can be reconfigured with the click of a mouse. Today’s business telephone systems feature self-service interfaces that allow the user to configure his own preferences, without involving IT. The upshot: significant savings in technical support costs.
Facility Savings. IP communications is the basis for increasing virtualization in the workplace. Workers can telecommute from anywhere, reducing the need for a central workplace. Many companies have realized significant savings in overhead costs by moving employees to remote or home offices.
Low-cost Access to Features and Services. Advanced features used to come with a steep price tag, bundled together as part of the PBX system. VoIP telephone systems include many of these features (such as advanced call distribution) free of charge. Other advanced functionality is available on an affordable basis through hosted VoIP services, which sell access to features on an a la carte, as needed basis.
Increased Productivity. VoIP telephone systems have a profound impact on worker productivity. Advanced features, remote access, and voice-data integration add up to time savings and greater efficiency.
Data Integration. The integration of the voice and data system is a powerful driver of operational efficiency. For example, your business can take advantage of customer relationship management (CRM) software to streamline customer engagement and access to key data.
Scalability. IP communications systems can be instantly ramped up or scaled back according to current business needs. Hosted VoIP services offer the most flexibility, ensuring that businesses don’t lose money through insufficient or excess communications capability.
Customization and Flexibility. VoIP business phone systems can be configured to meet your company’s unique and evolving business requirements.
IP communications technology has transformed the economics of business communications by bringing voice onto the data network. With new productivity features on the horizon, look for next-generation business telephone systems to deliver even more value.
Sources
Network World
PC World
TMC Net
