by Joe Taylor Jr.
Stretching budgets to accommodate rising airfares often requires companies to look at other ways to save money. Fortunately, the latest innovations from voice over Internet protocol telephone services offer five clever ways for businesses to offset the cost of travel. All five of these VoIP advantages allow end users to conduct business more efficiently, creating the potential for greater earnings along with deeper savings.
- Use a VoIP Router in Hotel Rooms During Long Trips
One of the most common ways that business travelers use voice over Internet protocol on the road involves plugging a VoIP adapter or router into a hotel room's broadband Internet connection. Many hotels that charge a dollar or more per minute for long distance usually charge a flat fee for Internet access. In a typical scenario, a business traveler that makes 90 minutes of phone calls each night could save $400 or more during a typical week's stay.
 |
||
 |
||
- Bluetooth Headsets and Softphones Turn Laptops into Phone Booths
Many VoIP providers allow subscribers to connect remotely using "softphones," applications that convert users' computers into sophisticated call adapters. Meanwhile, a growing number of notebook computers now allow users to connect to standard Bluetooth headsets. Once paired, the Bluetooth headset offers convenience and clarity during softphone calls. Free wireless Internet connections from cafes and hotel lobbies suddenly become opportunities for flat rate phone calls. - VoIP Find and Follow Tools Streamline Remote Site Visits
Some new business VoIP systems offer functions and features that allow users to enjoy a single inbound phone number for all of their calls. When automated with help from a company's networking infrastructure, sophisticated systems can actually track an employee's movements through office buildings and route calls to the nearest workstation or handheld device.
Even less fancy business phone systems help executives connect with callers quickly. Call blast features allow many business VoIP systems to ring all of a user's potential locations at the same time. When the recipient picks up a handset or clicks a mouse, the call instantly connects to the appropriate device. Since integrating advanced features can be more challenging than most entry-level voice over Internet protocol systems, company leaders can get expert advice from vendors like those represented by NextRing, a network that connects businesses to skilled VoIP professionals.
- Cheap International Phones and VoIP Long Distance Save Money
On one popular global roaming plan, a one-hour call back to the United States from Europe could cost more than $75. However, travelers can often pick up inexpensive, "disposable," prepaid cell phones from specialty stores and kiosks in major cities. Using prepaid services that often cost less than ten cents a minute, callers can dial the local number of a VoIP portal.
Once connected, callers can connect to any phone number in the world, usually for just a few cents more per minute. The same call from Europe to North America would cost fewer than ten dollars using this strategy. When paired with call forwarding options to handle inbound calls, business VoIP subscribers can save hundreds of dollars in a typical week when compared to worldwide roaming plans.
- Hybrid Handsets Unlock VoIP Potential
Wireless handset manufacturers already offer glimpses at the future convergence of cellular service and VoIP. A handful of companies already produce handsets that allow callers to roam between traditional GSM towers and convenient Wi-Fi hotspots. With the recent adoption of an international wireless networking standard that incorporates VoIP roaming, many enterprise-level companies can now consider phone systems that issue a single device to each user for all of their communications needs.
Expert Help for Selecting VoIP Providers
Although the price of adding new features to VoIP systems tends to drop each year, selecting the right mix of equipment and functionality can still challenge many company decision makers. Partnering with impartial experts, such as the network of vendors represented by NextRing, can help businesses find the best options for saving money while improving functionality.
Sources:
Business Week
CNet
IT Pro
Laptop Magazine
Los Angeles Times
Vagabondish
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.
