Phone systems play a crucial role when it comes to running an efficient business. And as many enterprises realize, a good phone system is an essential component to keep the free flow of communication between employees, clients and potential customers.
 

As organizations continue to trim their budgets and cut costs, more and more businesses are discovering the benefits of conference phones. The emergence of high quality conferencing systems and services lets companies communicate with others efficiently over infinite distances.

 

In particular, businesses are increasingly deploying video conferencing systems as one high-tech means to stay in touch and reduce excessive travel expenses, according to Telcom & Data, a Chicago-based conference phones provider.  The technology helps organizations can stay in touch with remote employees and customers while replicating the face-to-face experience, company officials said.

 

Video conferencing systems are designed to cut travel cost and time, and help businesses communicate with partners and colleagues around the world, Tom Annerino, IT Manager at Telcom & Data, wrote in the company’s blog.

 

“Video conference [has] made communication more authentic,” Annerino said. “The gestures, facial expression and sound provide free flow of communication.”

 

And interest is growing. A recent Frost & Sullivan (News - Alert) report found that the video conferencing CSP (News - Alert)-based managed services market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.4 percent and rise from $151.3 million in 2008 to $375.5 million in 2014.

 

VoIP Phones, too, are another useful business tool. The devices, which let users record their voice and send it electronically via a high speed Internet connection through a receiver like a telephone, can accommodate a number of connections.

 

“The main advantage of these phones is that it is very cost effective,” Annerino said.

 

Meanwhile, organizations are continuing to use voice mail systems as a voice alternative. The systems feature two modes of operation - telephone answering and voice messaging. The telephone answering mode takes a message from outside callers, while voice messaging lets users send messages without calling them.

 

One of the growing problems with voice mail systems is that users often lose or forget their passwords, locking people from using their conference phones. But Telcom & Data can help.  As a service provider for Avaya (News - Alert) and Lucent manufactured voice mail systems, the company has received numerous calls for voice mail password assistance, officials said.

 

As distance no longer remains a barrier for businesses and their partners, industry experts predict a steady adoption of video conferencing and VoIP phones. After all, Telcom & Data officials said the technology is part of the key ingredients to help companies succeed today.

 

“It is essential for every business … to be equipped with all of these VoIP based video conferencing systems and voicemail systems,” Annerino said.