Business VoIP Featured Article

Cost is a Major Factor That Should Be Considered Before Selecting a Business VoIP Provider

September 13, 2011

By Jamie Epstein, Business VoIP Web Editor

It seems that almost on a daily basis, different vendors are launching business VoIP phone systems. However, as VoIP continues to increase in popularity, choosing the right provider is highly crucial to the success of any organization.


First, let’s examine why organizations should transition to VoIP systems. A major advantage is a dramatically reduced cost. A recent article in ComputerWorld stated, “Most providers offer far cheaper local and international calls than fixed line telephone providers, and in a lot of cases minimal hardware is required – just a VoIP-enabled gateway device and away you go.”

According to Internode's Product Manager Jim Kellett, small businesses deciding on whether or not to transition to a VoIP-based architecture heavily focus upon the cost of the product suite. “It can take a huge chunk out of a medium or small business communication bill, which is largely phone and mobile. Internet is only a small proportion of most companies' bills. The ability to have free calls between branches and timed calls will save a bucket of money,” Kellett commented in a statement.

“For instance, running everyone's extensions off the one PBX rather than having discrete landlines scattered around the countryside,” he added. “That degree of consolidation and allowing people to communicate with each other within the network can be a lot friendlier than doing it over a traditional system. You can't get much more cost effective.”

Small businesses aren’t the only ones who can reap the multiple benefits associated with utilizing a VoIP environment, as cost effective prices are readily available for medium-sized-businesses and even at the enterprise level.

However, converting to VoIP is an ideal situation for small businesses especially if they are relocating their premises. VoIP services from Nextiva are “hosted” solutions, which enable customers to change their extensions, forward lines, and even set up their voicemail in a few minutes. If a business changes locations, there is no longer a need to move any PBX equipment, or even change phone numbers. Simply access your fully personalized Web interface, and make a short phone call to Nextiva’s Customer Support team, and the once tedious process is now complete.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place NOW in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.


Jamie Epstein is a virtual-pbx Web Editor. Previously she interned at News 12 Long Island as a reporter's assistant. After working as an administrative assistant for a year, she joined TMC as a Web editor for virtual-pbx. Jamie grew up on the North Shore of Long Island and holds a bachelor's degree in mass communication with a concentration in broadcasting from Five Towns College. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Rich Steeves

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