Tag Archives: internet phone systems

Choosing Unified Communications for Your Business

What if, instead of being limited to an in-office phone system with its possibly rough connection and dropped calls, you could experience seamless communication via the cloud? This is possible with Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP, for short), an Internet-based unified communications solution. Read on to learn more about VoIP’s benefits and considerations, and about looking for a potential provider.

 

Benefits of Unified Communications

 

Telephone technology has come a long way since the time calls were transmitted over copper wires. Nowadays, with VoiceOver IP, users can call each other using an Internet-based cloud solution. With this different interface, the provider handles back-end infrastructure and all the customer needs is the internet connection. This technology is flexible and scalable, and can be integrated with your company’s applications to help speed business processes. Lines can be added easily via your company’s internet router to accommodate more remote workers, and they can access your network and its applications. Like with other cloud offerings, VoIP can convert the capital expense of phone sets to a flexible internet-based subscription model.

 

Preparing Your Network for Unified Communications

 

No matter your company’s needs, considerations remain when considering cloud-based phone technology. First, is your company’s network strong enough, with sufficient bandwidth,  to support more traffic? Does your network and all connected devices have the most current antivirus and anti-malware definitions? Another question to answer: have you considered what features of a provider’s plan would best align with business goals?

 

Considerations When Choosing a Provider

 

Numerous providers exist, and offer internet telephony packages with varying features. Some can furnish you with things like toll-free numbers and even international calling. Which features are must-haves for your business, and which are simply nice to have but not essential? Businesses with call centers, for instance, might need a package they can integrate with their customer-service software. Technical support is another consideration; some providers offer 24/7 support but others don’t. Whatever your business, you’ll need to know about the security of the provider’s data centers and if data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.

 

Unified Communications has  the potential to transform how your business collaborates. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.

Do Business Anywhere with Modern Cloud Phone Systems

Business phone communication used to be based in the office. Now, with the technology of VoiceOver Internet Protocol (VoIP for short), you can communicate anywhere, anytime, on any device. Read on to learn more about this modern cloud communication option.

 

Business Benefits of Internet Phone Service

 

While different providers offer different features and options, what they have in common is using modern cloud phone communications. With traditional phone lines, a company is charged for not just each (additional) line, but for the time spent on calls. A “virtual” phone uses VoiceOver Internet Protocol (VoIP), converting voice to data and transmitting this over a broadband Internet connection. Internet phones use an Internet connection via a router, to which additional lines can be added. The VoIP technology brings all the benefits of cloud computing–the provider manages the infrastructure and backend operations. The expenses of on-premise infrastructure and overhead are reduced, and the service is payable on a subscription basis. Internet-based phone services are perfect for remote work, since workers can communicate using an Internet connection, working anytime and anywhere.

 

Considerations for Using Virtual Phones

 

With the business benefits of VoIP phones, your company will need to consider how the technology will help you realize business goals. If you want to hire remote workers, for instance, you will need to make sure their devices (mobile phones, laptops) are secure when connected to your network. Also, is your network strong enough to handle broadband traffic? When choosing a service provider, it’s best to think of how features they offer will mesh with your needs. Finally, the security of your cloud service provider’s data centers needs to be considered; for instance, what are their encryption policies, and how does the provider deal with regulatory compliance?

 

By opting for virtual telephony, it’s possible for users to experience better call and video capability and for your company to enjoy cost savings. For further assistance, contact your trusted technology advisor today.