Cost savings is often a key factor when a business owner or leader makes a decision. It may be to purchase new technology, bring in a consultant or simply change broadband providers. Whatever the decision, what it does to the bottom line is always considered. In communications, this element is critical. You need to stay connected and that costs money. Does it make sense to implement the VoIP switch?

For a number of companies, it makes perfect sense. In fact, if cost savings is the goal, many have already realized this benefit. Some report slashing the cost of their phone bills by as much as 40 percent. In the calling-intensive environment, this could mean big savings and an even bigger impact on the bottom line.

Still, even without the cost savings, the VoIP switch has a lot to offer. Customers generally get more bang for the buck, the ability to integrate directly with applications they already have in place, reliance on a third party to manage the system and one network to handle it all. And, when the VoIP provider has the customer’s best interest at heart, service is stellar and updates are seamless.

The industry is experiencing significant growth in South Africa as businesses there recognize the value of VoIP. Decision makers there are excited as telecoms have long been hindered by monopoly, bureaucracy, collusion and high prices. A provider that actually focuses on the consumer and wants to deliver a quality service at competitive pricing is something new to the game – and much welcome.

Carriers in South Africa have long been fighting against lower MTRs, or fees that mobile operators have to pay each other to carry mobile calls over each other’s networks. Consumers wanted competitive offerings, yet carriers couldn’t provide it simply because so much of the cost they were paying went right out the door. The goal was not customer satisfaction, but instead forced revenues.

Now, with access to the VoIP switch and providers focused on their experience, users in South Africa not only enjoy great calling pricing, but also enhanced features. Small businesses there, for instance, can compete better with larger players who have long had access to enhanced communications technology. Features like voicemail, auto attendants, mobile VoIP and even call routing are easily launched and managed, regardless of the size of the organization.

Companies like Sippy Software are making this acceptability possible, extending the capabilities of the VoIP switch to companies seeking to streamline operations and communications. Regardless of a company’s location, the global market is making staying connected regardless of location a must for the successful business. With VoIP in place, this connectivity is supported across the board.