Why should businesses switch to VOIP Phone Systems?
In today’s business world we want things better, faster, and more cost effective. Those three adjectives describe a VOIP Phone System over a traditional phone system, to a tee. VOIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. Basically you are using the internet to make phone calls rather than traditional phone lines. With every new technology there are advantages and disadvantages to the new and old systems. However in this scenario there are far too many advantages of the VOIP Phone system to ignore it.
Let start with price, the VOIP systems have proven to be the most cost effective of the two. While both require expert installation the VOIP system set up is quicker and less expensive. With traditional phone systems you have to pay for the hardware, line rentals and traditional PBX (Private Branch Exchange) system. PBX allows the functionality for call transfers, group ringing, directories, and more. Setup for a traditional PBX could cost thousands more than a VOIP PBX. With a VOIP phone system the set-up is quicker, the PBX can be hosted and with less hardware install, it is less expensive. Aside from the set up cost, VOIP systems are less expensive monthly as well. You are usually charged a flat rate on minutes, plain and simple. Where the traditional system could have minimum call charges, long distance charges, monthly line charges, etc.
Another advantage of the VOIP system is the endless amount of features, where traditional systems are otherwise limited. While the standard features are still available VOIP takes it a step further. For examples, a traditional phone system has voicemail, but VOIP has voicemail, voice-mail files sent to your email address, and voicemail transcription. No room in the budget to hire a receptionist? VOIP has an auto attendant that will answer your calls and direct the caller to the right department based on a menu that you can set up and customize.
A new trend we have seen, even in the majority of the Fortune 500 companies, is employees working from home or at a remote location. With a VOIP system you can have employees in many different locations and all appear to be under the same roof. You can transfer or call extensions just like you would normally but your co-worker might be four states over. This has really allowed businesses to be versatile and flexible allowing for more efficiency and a broader footprint. This a feature that traditional phone systems just cannot compete with.
With a focus on efficiency, a key piece of most new technology is the ability for integrations with other technologies. VOIP phone systems work seamlessly with integrations. For example you could integrate your phone system with your CRM so that when your phone rings you could receive a pop up on your computer letting you know who it is, what company they are with, the last business transaction you had with them, if they have any outstanding billing to collect, and the list goes on. Imagine the possibilities with that information at your fingertips.
If you have been wavering back and forth on whether or not to move from the traditional phone system to a VOIP system, now is the time to move. Stop wasting money and staying behind the technology curve.
For more information on how VOIP phone systems work give SDE Tech a call at 866.371.2265 or email info@sde-tech.com