by Joe Taylor Jr.
Although voice over Internet protocol has entered the conversation in most corporate boardrooms, many small and medium sized businesses have just discovered the potential to save money and improve customer service by using Internet phone services. Communications experts often cite fifteen of the most beneficial reasons to switch a company to a business VoIP provider:
Switching to VoIP Improves Call Quality
Early adopters of voice over Internet protocol sometimes experienced problems with call latency, missing data packets, and odd sounds from the other end of the line. With the advent of faster broadband connections at homes and offices, business VoIP services now offer service that is often far superior to traditional copper wire phone service. Advantages of switching to business VoIP for phone service include:
- Clearer Connections--Team members can accomplish more in less time with crystal clear connections, even from opposite ends of the world.
- Easier Transfers--Team members can easily transfer callers or build on-the-fly conference calls.
- Integration with Office Data--By routing VoIP calls over broadband Internet connections, office managers can deal with a single vendor for data and voice traffic.
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Switching to VoIP Enhances Customer Service
Routing all callers through voice over Internet protocol connections allows companies to do creative things with data.
- Integration with CRM--Customer relationship management software can mine information from VoIP calls and place relevant content on a customer service agent's screen before the third ring.
- Instructive Hold Messages--Depending on the time of day and the nature of the call, a VoIP system can dynamically update the content a caller hears while waiting to speak with a live agent.
- Call Center Applications--Calls can be recorded automatically and stored for legal documentation or for quality assurance.
Switching to VoIP Dramatically Reduces Calling Costs
Because business VoIP systems use high quality Internet connections to pass data, service providers don't need to charge maintenance fees for outdated copper wire systems. Some of the most popular reasons for companies to switch to VoIP include:
- Long Distance Discounts--Businesses with customers and vendors around the world appreciate the dramatic difference in price between business VoIP services and traditional phone systems.
- Alternative to Wireless and Hotel Services--Business travelers can save money by connecting calls through a VoIP network instead of through more expensive proprietary systems.
- Conference Calls--Team members can connect instantly over conference calls generated from within a VoIP system instead of using costly phone bridges.
Switching to VoIP Lets Employees Work Anywhere
Business VoIP systems route calls through central servers instead of through bulky, hardwired switchers. Advantages of switching to a totally virtual business phone system include:
- Home Office Integration--With centralized phone numbers and clear connections, callers never know they're speaking to an employee at their home.
- Hot-desking--Once team members log in, calls route to their temporary desks as if they were in their own offices.
- International Travel--Overseas sales and service representatives are still accessible from local numbers or from toll free numbers, regardless of their locations.
Switching to VoIP Lets Companies Scale
One of the most attractive advantages to a hosted VoIP system, the remote nature of voice over Internet protocol telephone systems allows companies to add or switch locations without disrupting business. Some of the ways that smart businesses leverage this technology include:
- Easy Office Moves--A company can change offices overnight without dismantling site-specific phone systems or buying costly, new equipment.
- Seasonal Help--Companies can add temporary workers to phone systems, ranging from office-based temps to entire call centers.
- Adding New Branches--Once a company decides to open additional offices, installing phone systems requires only a broadband connection and a phone terminal.
Finding Partners to Help Switch to VoIP
By picking two or three of the biggest initial benefits of switching to VoIP, company leaders can start to narrow the field of potential providers. A vendor network, such as NextRing, can use those immediate needs to match a business with business VoIP experts. Those experts can help companies explore the right mix of VoIP hardware and software solutions to achieve both cost savings and customer loyalty.
Sources:
Entrepreneur
How Stuff Works
TechTarget
WebProNews
Joe Taylor Jr. is an internal business consultant for a Fortune 500 company, who writes about finance, culture, and design. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Ithaca College.
