The economy thrives on the SMB, yet these smaller corporations often struggle to afford the tools and technologies necessary to effectively compete with the larger enterprise. This was especially true when it came to communications before the arrival of VoIP. Now, with access to enterprise-grade communications, the size of the business no longer matters when it comes to delivering a big presence.
The challenge for the SMB today is in selecting the right VoIP solution to meet the needs of the small business. There are a number of different vendors offering hosted VoIP packages, but not every solution is a one-size-fits-all. To get the full benefits of the platform, there are a few things to consider. Let’s examine a list recently posted in Business2Community.
First, it’s important to make the most of the available features. The SMB of yesterday may have been accustomed to a two-line phone with an answering machine. Today, this level of communication would be unacceptable. The small business can rely on a hosted VoIP solution to enable find-me-follow-me, simultaneous ring, call forwarding, ring to mobile and so much more. Ask for a list of available options and take advantage of them when they’re in place.
Second, throw out the old way of thinking that you need to have multiple vendors involved to complete your communications platform. The hosted VoIP vendor can provide all-inclusive options that allow for unlimited calling, extensive features, streamlined operations and more. It’s still smart to shop around for the best vendor; but you can settle on just one.
Third, you no longer have to reserve desk space for the “phone guy”. Remember that individual who had to schedule a time to come out and set up a new line whenever a new teammate was added? No more tool belts in your office, as you or an assigned administrator in the office can make changes on the fly. Whether you need to add features, users or customization, all of that control is at your fingertips.
Finally, maximize opportunities for mobility. In today’s market, it’s not enough to exist – you need to be mobile and get to your customers in the field. For many a small business, the field is the office. Mobile VoIP allows users to take the same advantages they have in the office out on the road.
For the SMB searching for the right solution to meet their hosted VoIP needs, the Obihai Obi line is a robust solution to consider. Designed for 1 to 12 users, the OBiPLUS is a full-featured business collaboration solution that can be used with both IP and analog phones. For the business that is a little smaller still, OBiPLUS ‘Lite’ Basic is free. To take advantage of all of the benefits of VoIP, take a closer look at what this vendor has to offer.
Edited by Blaise McNamee