When weighing the needs of your business, knowing the applications, pitfalls and quirks of any system is a great boon. In choosing to take your company the route of hardline phone systems or moving forward into the digital realm, there are any considerations to be made. To ensure that you have a clear great boon. In choosing to take your company the route of hardline phone systems or moving forward into the digital realm, there are any considerations understanding of how the VoIP system works, let’s take a look at several of the advantages and disadvantages associated with this system. This information can help you to determine if VoIP is the appropriate choice for your business and what problems you should look to identify and resolve with the provider of your choice once your decision is made.
What is VoIP?
In order to have a clear understanding of what VoIP can and cannot do for your company, you must first understand what it is and how it is applied in the modern world. VoIP, which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, is a system of hardware and software designed to deliver voice systems over the Internet. A VoIP provider like BroadConnect will set up a system working off of a company’s present Internet connection, provided it has enough speed and bandwidth to transmit the information successfully, so that phone calls can be transmitted over the present system. Special phones, computer programs or special adapters for hardwired phones can be used to update a system at a variety of price-points and allow for this technology to be used.
VoIP is a flexible solution to connecting a company to the world.
Flaws with the System
As with any system there will likely be potential flaws. In considering VoIP for your business communications, please be aware of the following considerations. Many of them can be addressed with your provider before the system is implemented, so it is useful to be familiar with the most common problems that this system has in its applications.
- Voice Quality is a major consideration when looking at communication solutions. Hardline phone systems are not always reliable, but it is considered that they offer a minimum quality for calling, free from static, low volume or calls dropping off. With VoIP, this will depend on the reliability of your Internet service and whether your connection is stable and reliable at all times that you would be making calls.
- The Power Grid is another serious consideration when choosing VoIP as your primary mode of communication. Because VoIP works off the Internet, if your area experiences frequent power failure and does not have a backup that maintains your Internet connection and computer servers, you risk losing your phones each time the power goes out.
- Bandwidth requirements are the third consideration to keep in mind when selecting VoIP. Please keep in mind that VoIP is not ideal for situations that are not running on a broadband or high speed connection due to the requirements of the hardware and software to send information quickly, to ensure your call quality, and that as they are sending information for your calls they will be claiming portions of your bandwidth. If you have a very restrictive bandwidth allowance, VoIP may monopolize all of it and then some, which is not idea for meeting your monthly budget allowances.
Advantages of the Digital Age
With there being a few clear considerations before you commit to VoIP solutions for your business, there are also a few clear advantages that should also be carefully weighed against the above issues that have been discussed. VoIP is a flexible protocol that can be tailored to many different business needs and offers a clear lead over competitors using more traditional phone solutions.
- Competitive Edge is an area of business that cannot be taken lightly if success is the primary goal. When you have an edge over your competitors, you are able to more quickly capitalize on market changes and new product niches and VoIP can help provide this to you.
- Budget is another area where VoIP can help you to rise above the competition. With the current focus on faster Internet, higher bandwidth allowances and more Internet presence, your system may already be set up to fully take advantage of the speed and ease of use that VoIP offers. If this is the case, this is a definite plus to considering VoIP for your communications.
- If your company requires a scalable communication, VoIP may be even more beneficial than traditional means of communication. Hardware that is certified for use with providers can be as simple as plug and play and may even allow for your current SIP-enabled phones to be used with just a few setting changes and connection to the network. Adding new phones becomes easy and not nearly as cost-impacting as purchasing traditional hardware and having additional lines physically installed at workstations or in buildings.
Conclusion
VoIP solutions can be as diverse and individual as your company’s needs in the current workplace, but the disadvantages should be considered carefully before you commit to this new method of connecting your business to the world. While the disadvantages may mean that VoIP is not currently the solution your company is seeking, it offers a competitive edge and a robust feature package that makes it an attractive and flexible option for any business willing to make the switch.