By Amanda Ciccatelli, TMCnet Web Editor

According to Phone.com CEO Ari Rabban, recent research by In-Stat showed that 80 percent of businesses will leave their private branch exchange (PBX (News - Alert)) systems for the more cost-effective VoIP by 2013.

Cloud-based phone company Phone (News - Alert).com helps organizations improve their image with virtual office phone systems that include hold music, custom phone numbers, call transfers and conferencing. VoIP is helping entrepreneurs strengthen business presence while saving money over traditional phone services. Many of Phone.com’s (News - Alert) newer clients are small business owners looking to cut their monthly phone bills and gain the features of a large organization’s phone system.

“By 2014, VoIP users could number 139 million worldwide,” Rabban said. “By switching to VoIP phone services, small businesses have been gaining traditional-style phone features for a lower monthly cost.”

Business VoIP makes helps a small business improve its image significantly when converting to a VoIP business phone service and saves money. Features like unlimited extensions, calling menu interfaces, desk phones, calling cards, 99-person conference calling, hold music and custom phone numbers make it affordable for smaller companies to have the appearance of larger organizations.

"Traditional phone services, including most premises-based PBX systems, can be costly for start-ups or entrepreneurs without much money for capital purchases. A cloud-based phone system with an auto-attendant function can give companies of any size the appearance of much larger enterprises for almost no capital expense,” said Joel Maloff (News - Alert), vice president - channel development, Phone.com told TMCnet. “In addition, a highly distributed workforce of telecommuters can appear as if they are served by a single switchboard but in fact can be working from home anywhere in the U.S. and even overseas. Competing with the ‘big guys’ in an industry is much easier when using cloud communications!"

Adding to the appeal of VoIP, cloud-based computing allows providers to make voice mails, emails and contact lists available in the cloud. The advanced technology has improved the accessibility, quality, and reliability of Internet phone service.

Phone.com also offers mobile phone apps on Android (News - Alert) and BlackBerry, which allow users to carry their office phone systems in their pockets. iPhone and other smartphone users can access their VoIP information through Web applications as well.

With access to the same professional grade communication systems for less, VoIP helps entrepreneurs and small businesses develop a strong communication system to generate leads and sales.