Top Five Reasons Businesses Switch to VoIP Services
The main reasons companies migrate to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP): cost, cost, cost… right? Actually, lowering the monthly phone bill is only one of the many reasons businesses are switching to VoIP business phone services. Although VoIP has revolutionized business phone service by cutting overhead costs, IT managers cite a range of factors for deciding to update their legacy phone systems.
Five Ways VoIP Services Boost Business Communications
Here’s a look at the top five reasons companies switch to VoIP services:
- Cut Costs. The phone bill is just the beginning of the cost savings. The most dramatic cost reduction is a function of IP telephony’s reduced overhead expense. VoIP eliminates the physical infrastructure of the public switched telephone netword (PSTN)--the wiring, private branch exchange (PBX), switching hardware, and other equipment. IP telephony leverages the company’s existing data infrastructure, the local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN), to transmit voice signals. The ability to maintain a single network for voice and data communications offers the biggest cost break--low long distance charges are just icing on the cake.
- Advanced Call Handling. Features rank a close second to cost as one of the major reasons businesses adopt VoIP technology. Advanced call handling features that cost traditional PBX users a fortune come standard with VoIP. Services include automated call distribution, auto attendant, call forwarding, and advanced messaging.
- Integrate Data with Voice Services. A single integrated network for both voice and data communications pays dividends not only in lower overhead expense, but also as a business tool. The integration of voice and data has applications in business intelligence, contact center technology, and supply chain management. For example, service representatives can access the customer relationship management database instantly while on a call, increasing call resolution times and boosting the quality of service.
- Mobility. The flexibility of VoIP services gives users anytime, anywhere access to the data network. With more and more workers traveling, telecommuting, and connecting from remote offices, wireless connectivity is playing an increasingly more significant role in business communications. VoIP technology ensures that workers can receive calls and access the company’s virtual private network from anywhere.
- Productivity. Closely related to #4 and #5: worker productivity. Data integration and wireless access to the network allow users to access and leverage the data they need to function effectively, whether they’re making strategic decisions, facilitating back-office operations, collaborating with colleagues and business partners, or engaging with customers in sales or marketing roles.
VoIP technology has rewritten the rules for business phone services. As the market matures, companies are discovering more and more options for migrating their legacy PBX systems to VoIP, including hassle-free hosted services. You can find many reasons to switch to VoIP--and few reasons not to evolve.
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