More businesses are beginning to realize that in order to make the most of their telecommunications network, they need to make the switch to VoIP. With the significant savings and efficiency that VoIP offers over standard telephone systems, businesses like yours are turning to VoIP to enhance their telecommunications network, optimize workplace efficiency, and strengthen communications. While making the full switch can seem intimidating to small businesses, by approaching it incrementally, you can seamlessly transition your entire telecommunications network with ease.
Why Make the Switch?
VoIP offers several key advantages over traditional analog lines. The most significant advantage that sets it apart is its ability to connect businesses from anywhere, enabling traveling and telecommuting employees to tap into their company’s phone network from any geographical location. Additionally, it allows companies to save money upfront and over time, while substantially reducing the time and effort spent installing and maintaining the phone network. It’s also equipped with increased functionality, such as videoconferencing and virtual auto attendant, which simplifies business meetings and improves employee collaboration. With more time, money, and geographical flexibility, you too can rely on VoIP to better meet the goals of your company.
Gather What You Need
Prior to switching to VoIP, you need to ensure your company is set up to handle the system. Fortunately, the requirements to launch VoIP are fairly basic.
All that’s needed is:
- A reliable broadband connection. The general rule is that you’ll need enough broadband that one-third of your employees could utilize the phones simultaneously.
- A VoIP adaptor and/or Phones
- A DID Number (direct inward dialing)
- An Ethernet cable.
Compared to the complicated hardware necessitated by landlines, VoIP is fairly simplistic, despite the advanced and customizable configuration options.
Add Network Hardware As Needed
There are a variety of VoIP phone services that will require different network hardware in order to utilize it. Determine which features are desired from your telecommunications network to ascertain which additional hardware is essential. The hardware you purchase will depend on the type of firewall your network possesses, as some firewalls may block VoIP ports. We highly recommend the installation of a quality of service (“QoS”) router. All CSII Voice installations include such a router for quality of service, network monitoring and trouble identification.
Transition Slowly
You don’t need to switch your entire telecommunications network to VoIP overnight. In fact, many businesses rely on both VoIP and landline phones simultaneously, while they continue to make the switch. VoIP provides easy scalability, enabling businesses to add trunks as they please. If you are interested in testing VoIP prior to fully switching your system, you can invest in a few trunks to start and add more as you feel comfortable.
VoIP is rapidly emerging as the most popular phone network among businesses. Given the time, savings, and increased functionality it provides, VoIP is the future of phone networks. Fortunately, making the switch is easy, and requires minimal labor and hardware.
