Voice over IP Featured Article

Why Businesses Need Voice Over IP Phone Systems

By Stefania Viscusi, Assignment Desk Editor

Most businesses are first made aware of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology because of the cost savings it can bring to their monthly long distance phone bills.

 

However, there are also productivity enhancements and other benefits provided by the technology that should not be overlooked when it comes time to make the switch to VoIP.

 

A recent VendorGuru.com article, “Ten Steps to Optimize a Business VoIP Phone System,” by Clare Kaufman, notes that businesses must play an active role in optimizing their systems in order to realize the many potential benefits offered by using a VoIP phone system.

 

By continually monitoring and optimizing the VoIP phone system, businesses can ensure they are getting a maximum ROI.

 

The white paper specifically highlights 10 steps for achieving an optimized solution including improved network performance, lower overhead costs, enhanced worker productivity and a distinct competitive advantage.

 

Most important, when it comes to optimizing a VoIP phone system, is quality of service. Initial steps should include troubleshooting the system’s performance to reach 99.999 percent uptime and clarity which involves checking and auditing network resources, points of congestion and other possible performance issues on the network

 

Next, to ensure the business benefits from increased productivity, they must also ensure users are trained properly on how to use the many features offered by the system and how those features can make it easier, and faster to do their jobs. Upgrading the VoIP Phone system to a Unified Communications (News - Alert) (UC) solution can also bolster productivity as the solution provides multiple channels of communications for users.

 

The white paper also includes, as part of its top 10 list, the need to optimize VoIP to achieve dramatic cost savings. With VoIP, businesses should reduce the IT budget needed to maintain circuit switched phone systems as well as improve scalability. Also, if needed, business can choose a phased VoIP migration that adds in new technologies slowly while still allowing businesses to make use of their legacy investments, and more.

 

VoIP phone systems are also helpful to companies, particularly start-ups and small to medium sized businesses as it allows them to improve their overall professional image and compete more effectively with competitors regardless of their size.

 

By considering the steps outlined in this white paper and optimizing their VoIP phone systems, businesses can not only ensure their investments in the technology are returned, but also that they always stay ahead in the competitive marketplace.

Stefania Viscusi is an assignment editor for TMCnet, covering VoIP, CRM, call center and wireless technologies. To read more of Stefania’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Stefania Viscusi