Top Five VoIP Communications Features for Teleworkers
IP communications has brought telework into the mainstream. The ability to access a company’s internal phone network over any wi-fi connection enables workers to be as productive at home and on the road as they are at the company office. On the strength of VoIP’s remote access features, businesses are increasingly allowing their employees to telecommute and even, in some cases, experimenting with all-telework ‘virtual offices’.
Five VoIP Essentials for Teleworkers
Make the most of your business telephone system by implementing the following VoIP features and services for teleworkers:
1. Remote Access
This feature is an obvious must-have for teleworkers, but it pays to put it at the top of your IP communications wishlist. Different VoIP systems and service providers offer different remote access capabilities. If your company supports (or plans to support) a team of teleworkers, it’s important not to skimp on next-generation access technologies. Look for systems or hosted services especially designed for teleworkers. These VoIP solutions support integration with remote offices, with IPsec or SSL-based VoIP networking equipment and phone handsets. In addition, they provide plug-and-play setup so remote users can set up their offices instantly and without IT support.
2. Call Management and Routing Services
Advanced call distribution (ACD), ‘find me/follow me’ routing, and four-digit ‘internal’ extension dialing are some of the VoIP call management services that bring remote workers into the fold and create unity in a geographically dispersed organization. Look for a VoIP business phone system with a web-based call routing interface to enable teleworkers to adjust their routing preferences with the click of a mouse.
3. Unified Communications
Unified communications technology is a powerful tool for connecting workers across the organization, no matter where they are. Teleworkers need only have access to the internet in order to participate in web conferences, share data, collaborate on documents, deliver or view whiteboard presentations, chat by videophone, and more. Unified communications systems also support presence applications, allowing teleworkers to identify which of their coworkers is available and through which communications medium (phone, IM, email, videochat) they can be reached. The unified communications web interface serves as a visible representation of the virtual office--no office cubicles necessary.
4. Collaboration Systems or Services
VoIP phone systems and hosted services are providing “virtual office” VoIP solutions that support rich collaboration platforms. These next-generation applications represent the cutting edge of unified communications technology. Examples include a shared project management calendar updated in real time, life-size “telepresence” video conferencing technology, collaborative document editing, and social team-building “venues” (one VoIP provider calls these social media applications the “virtual water cooler").
5. Data Sharing Services
Collaboration and unified communications services rely on the ability to share data and documents in real time. A telework-friendly VoIP phone systems features shared access to an online data repository. The database continually updates to reflect changes and updates to the data. In short, a live data sharing center ensures that teleworkers are all on the same page. Other data sharing services include wikis and screen sharing features.
With these five VoIP system features and services, teleworkers can count on a rich communication platform that approximates--and in some cases, surpasses--the traditional brick-and-mortar office.
Sources
Speakeasy.net (PDF)