Communication systems were and will always continue to be the cornerstone of any business. Being in touch with customers, clients, remote offices and team members is essential to running a successful business. Of course this all needs to be accomplished on a budget since the other thing which is important to any business is saving money.
The communication system that most companies began with was probably the PBX (News - Alert) system, a private telephone network used within a company. But something to consider with the PBX system is that it usually requires a room, or at least a large closet to store the necessary equipment. Hence, having a video conferencing system is not the luxurious item that it once was. A recent study conducted by Verizon (News - Alert) shows that 90 percent of busy professionals actually value meetings. Group meetings are necessary in order to make sure that everyone is on the same page and that all the information goes where it needs to be.
Oftentimes, this cannot be accomplished through emails or phone calls. The study found that face time is very important, as it improves business communications while at the same time increasing productivity. Being able to view design changes along with the person offers a smooth workflow environment which makes it easy to understand and discuss options.
In today’s work environment, more employees are on the road or working from remote locations, a standard method of communication in today’s society. One study mentioned that there are over seven billion mobile subscriptions around the world, which means that incorporating a mobile system for business use offers easier accessibility since everyone can be reached through one unified contact point.
One system which can tie all of the systems mentioned above into a nice neat package is VoIP, which enables people to use the Internet as the transmission medium for telephone calls by sending voice data in packets using IP rather than by traditional circuit transmissions of the PSTN.
In most cases these are a hosted service which means that you do not need a room designated for equipment. In addition, changes can be programmed on the fly offering greater flexibility and scalability while being cost effective. Since calls go through the Internet there are no international or long distance charges.
Most of the systems mentioned above can be incorporated with VoIP systems. One of the latest developments in this technology is the VoIP PBX, which can use the Internet to transmit calls while reducing operational costs. Interoperable video conferencing systems can connect rooms, people and devices regardless of what system and equipment is being used.
Overall, the variety of solutions available today is constantly growing. These are just a few options to consider when setting up a business communication system. By utilizing the system that works best, companies can realize the most of their communication budget.
Edited by Rory J. Thompson