It has almost become gospel in the tech industry, the way the phrase is repeated over and over: VoIP Saves Money. But how, exactly, are these savings achieved? It has to be more than just plugging in a VoIP-enabled phone, right?
Actually it’s not much more complicated than that, but steps must be taken to assure you’re getting the most value for your money.
Sheza Gary, a longtime project strategist, recently addressed the issue of VoIP and potential savings in a story she posted on CloudWedge.com, a site that “works tirelessly to provide our readers with up-to-date news and information on all things cloud,” it says.
In the report, Gary highlights the many ways VoIP is changing the face of telecom.
“With traditional landlines, you’ll find that the rates associated with business lines can be hiked, especially for PBX (News - Alert) systems,” she notes. “Now, it all depends on what type of features you would like to have for your employees and customers, such as customized greetings, dial-by-name directories and so on. VoIP systems do offer similar business features that can be attractive to small businesses because of their low prices.”
Gary goes on to point out that VoIP systems are equally valuable for mobile devices as well.
“Unlike with cell phone providers that charge by the minute, you can use the VoIP system to make and receive calls using your tablet or smartphone with no minute limits,” she says. “These services come with unlimited minute plans and can be used on any mobile device that is connected to a 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi network. This allows your telecommute workers to operate from anywhere, while still staying connected to your business line.”
On top of all that, features that you might have paid extra for from a carrier – such as voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding, video and voice conferencing, and long-distance calling – are all bundled into the offering by the VoIP service provider.
The savings just keep multiplying. As Gary succinctly puts it, “When choosing a VoIP phone system for your small business, make sure to compare all of the features and the rates to see what’s worth it and what’s not.” Wise advice, indeed.