According to the BCT Insight Report by Blueface, 61% of businesses with traditional telephones adopt VoIP phone technology at the end of their landline contract.
And for good reason.
The business benefits of VoIP encompass productivity, cost-savings, flexibility, and reliability benefits for small to medium-sized businesses (SMB).
In this article, learn exactly what is VoIP phone technology and three reasons why using it is likely a smart move for your SMB.
What is VoIP?
VoIP (or Voice over Internet Protocol) is a modern technology that uses an internet connection to carry voice and data communication. It is an alternative to the traditional landline service involving physical telephone lines from a provider like Telkom.
Because VoIP operates via an internet connection, it supports far more flexibility and business features compared to landlines. For example, your receptionist can directly divert calls to employees working in the field.
For callers, the difference between a business on VoIP and a traditional landline won’t be noticeable. There’s no special training or heavy infrastructure required for setting up VoIP technology on business premises. However, it can make a measurable difference to your operations, budget, and workflow.
Here’s Three Reasons Why Your SMB Should Switch to VoIP
(1) Cost-Savings
According to a research study by Telzio, small businesses realize an average saving of between 30% to 50% by switching to a VoIP system. Whilst a report by Nextiva puts the cap of potential savings for companies slightly higher, at up to 65% off communication expenses.
What makes VoIP such a cost-effective alternative?
At the basic level, VoIP links to the existing broadband line provided by your Internet Services Provider (ISP). Instead of having two separate bills for telephone and internet, businesses with VoIP can simply cancel their telephone contract entirely. (This won’t necessarily entail added data costs because most businesses are on uncapped data packages already.)
Cost-savings also extend to hardware, installation, and infrastructure requirements. Much like cloud computing, VoIP makes it relatively inexpensive to get started.
For example, VoIP eliminates the need for hefty cabling and wiring jobs in your office. There’s no need to install dedicated infrastructure in your server room, such as a PBX, and there’s minimal risk of hardware failures and costly maintenance woes cutting into your bottom line. Instead, most VoIP tasks can be handled virtually by a managed provider like iSite Computers. This frees up your internal staff from having to lose time, energy, and focus on managing technical tasks to the detriment of your core business.
Additionally, VoIP services are generally sold with a tiered pricing model. Your business can choose the features you need for your number of users, and the price of your service will reflect that. As your business needs change, it’s straightforward to match your budget and required service level accordingly.
Related:
How to Reduce IT Spending in Your Business
(2) Switch to (and from) Remote Work Seamlessly
A business with a VoIP line can make and receive calls with the company telephone number on any internet-connected device. This includes an employee’s own personal computer, laptop, or even smartphone and tablet.
This allows for an easy transition to remote work for any employee at any time. The number of employees working remotely or in hybrid situations is increasing rapidly, so having a reliable way to connect with clients and co-workers is vital. This same ease and flexibility also applies to employees on international business trips. Similarly, an added benefit is that many VoIP providers do not charge extra for international calls.
VoIP can also serve as a complementary solution for a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy as employees already own the devices they need to get your business running on VoIP rapidly (and cost-effectively).
And in the case of government lockdown restrictions, maximizing business continuity is a must. Thanks to its in-built support for remote work, VoIP has your business always prepared. And when lockdown is over, it’s just as seamless to continue with VoIP once employees are back in the office.
Other VoIP features that support remote work include conference calls, online user management, cybersecurity encryption, and phone presence availability.
Related:
Reopening the Workplace After Lockdown: An IT Checklist for Small Businesses in South Africa
(3) Advanced Features for Added Productivity and Customer Service
In addition to the remote work benefits mentioned above, the benefits of VoIP are far more advanced than the standard landline. Features will vary based on the service provider and your subscription level, but here’s a snapshot of typical VoIP functionality:
- Customizable caller ID
- Free inter-office and inter-branch calls
- Extension dialing / Direct Inward Dialling (DID)
- Archivable call recordings and historical call reports
- Call queues, virtual switchboards, and automated assistance
- Automatic voicemail-to-SMS and voicemail-to-email text transcriptions
- Quality of Service (QoS) optimization to improve audio quality in real-time
Leading VoIP providers, like 3CX, take these benefits one step further by offering a comprehensive telecoms solution. Here, VoIP features are integrated seamlessly to offer enterprise-level virtual conferencing, business SMS, website live chat, social media, and CRM integration, call center functionality, and more.
In short, VoIP can give your business a fully functional communication system without the risk, stress, and costs of managing multiple platforms and vendors. It’s thus ideal for SMBs looking to boost productivity and customer service with a smart, next-gen IT investment.
Related:
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The VoIP Experts Are Here to Help
The benefits of VoIP phone technology can change business operations for the better.
Many SMBs will find a worthwhile investment in advanced features, seamless remote working, easy installation, and reduced expenses.
If you’re ready to experience next-generation phone technology with VoIP, iSite Computers is here to help. We are a managed IT services provider specializing in helping South African SMBs save on time, money, and downtime with end-to-end, fully managed IT systems and expert consulting.
We partner with 3CX to bring leading VoIP functionality to South Africa. To learn more about VoIP for your business, request a free consultation from our experts. Alternatively, give us a call on 031 812 9650.
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