Internet Telephony or VoIP for your Business
Businesses today have transformed their business communication from a traditional phone system to internet telephony or VoIP. One aspect in the telecommunications industry is that landlines have not evolved much over time, the system is almost the same as what it was in the earlier 19th Century. With the latest technology and advances in the telecommunications industry, especially after VoIP telephony, many companies are now opting for cloud-based technology. Cloud based technology is not just a cost-saving solution but also very useful in terms of functionality, flexibility, mobility, reliability, and advanced features that are used by many businesses around the world.
What is a Hosted VoIP Phone System?
VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol and it’s a term used to refer to internet phone usage. VoIP often refers to the provision of an Internet telephony network, and its service amongst users. Internet telephony means you’ll be communicating over the internet through a hosted phone system.
A hosted IP telephony system ( hosted PBX) is a means of communication that is hosted and operated, via a remote service provider, rather than on site as regular landlines are. This equates to less wires, more flexibility, and clearer conversations. More often referred to as cloud telephony or hosted VoIP phone system it is where a provider hosts and manages your business phone system in a private data centre.
When you invest in a hosted phone system, you can get an office telephone system that covers all your voice communication needs at a highly affordable price. This gives you a solution worthy of a leading global business without forcing you to make an astronomical investment.
What is a Landline?
Traditional or landline systems use physical wires for each connection that stretch all over the world to make phone calls. Older landline systems were adopted over a hundred years ago and use Circuit switching method via LAN. The technology used in traditional phone lines is purely analogue that transmits voice signals over a packet of networks like physical switch-boxes that place calls and dedicated telephone is required to make the connection between two callers.
VoIP vs. Landline Call Features
VoIP telephony systems offer many advanced features that aren’t possible with the traditional phone systems. Features of VoIP include Call forwarding, Call Recording, Voicemail to email, IVR, Conference calling, Call queue etc. all these advanced features are provided efficiency in the work field. Some of the VoIP features are discussed below.
- Call forwarding: That allows your network to forward some or all incoming calls, if you are unable to receive pick calls. You can manage calls better by forwarding them to your mobile or any other number.
- Voicemail:It enables callers to leave a message whenever you’re offline, so you can listen to it from anywhere through your devices i.e. laptop, tablet or even mobile phones. This way you don’t miss any important opportunities.
- Call recording: This feature enables you to record some or all calls. You can use this feature for learning and practising sales initiatives. This can also help you in promoting your organisational development growth.
- Call queue: This feature allows your team to work smoothly and effectively. With a call queue, you can manage your staff and departments by routing calls to the available staff members when other agents are busy or unavailable.
- Voicemail to email: It allows your organisation to receive all your voicemails as audio files directly into your inbox. You can listen to these audios from anywhere when you want. This can help you maintain your focus on the important at hand and save your time.
On the other hand, the traditional phone system doesn’t offer a lot of features in contrast to VoIP telephony. Most traditional carriers provide voice mail, call forwarding and call waiting, but they come at a cost.
The notable feature of the landline system is that; it is tried and tested technology.
Advantages Of Using Internet Telephony System
There are a few advantages of using Internet Telephony systems these include:
- Cost-Effectiveness - Many reasons businesses switch to IP telephony is it’s cost effectiveness. VoIP calls are cheaper than landline calls and it offers low international call rates.
- Mobility - The IP phones are not dedicated to a particular location, it can be used to make calls through your mobile phone from everywhere as far as you have an internet connection. One of the most significant benefits of VoIP phones is that you can manage your teams’ activity and allows you to work remotely.
- Scalability and Flexibility - One of the main factors demonstrated in the power of VoIP technology means your business has the potential to grow. A traditional phone demands a more financial investment when your business grows as they need equipment, licenses, taxes and other dedicated infrastructure. As a VoIP system is hosted in the cloud you don’t need to have the physical infrastructure to grow your business.