VoIP - Why?

Business Reasons to Move to VoIP

Flexibility

Businesses are constantly on the move.  Reaction time to almost any situation can be defined in hard dollars.  For this reason, many companies are moving to VoIP solutions when considering new communication solutions.   Some of the abilities of VoIP that make practical business sense for business are:

• Ability connect remote Home or Small offices allowing "Telecommuters" to work seamlessly within the organization.

•  Ability to add on special services to your system such as "screen pops" on your desktop computer showing additional information than is typically available with traditional systems.

• Disaster recovery.   With VoIP solutions, entire systems can feasibly be moved almost anywhere in the world, providing virtually uninterrupted business continuation.

There of course many more reasons in the flexibility category and each vendor will suggest many more.

Cost Savings

With a VoIP system, there is only the requirement to run one cable to the desktop.   With traditional telephone systems you are required to run two.  One for the computer  and one for the telephone.  Thus saving the cost of cable installation.

Moving extensions from desk to desk, building to building or even city to city has been greatly simplified, thus saving the time delay and  cost of having  technicians doing it for you.

Long distance carriers are now using VoIP to connect directly to your telephone systems with out having to add additional hardware to support it.  This saves on the cost of adding the hardware and the cost of maintaining the hardware.  Also, since the carrier is able to bring both voice and data to you on the same service, you will also be saving the cost of having separate services.

Ease of Use

From the administrators perspective, most VoIP systems are simple to use and maintain.  Moving a phone to other offices is as simple as unplugging it and plugging it back in at it's new location.  

VoIP systems use graphical interfaces that can be used right from the administrators desktop.  No esoteric commands are necessary to remember.  They're all pretty much "Point and Click".    No more having to deal with the cost or delays incurred by having to call in your telephone vendor to do it for you.

Ease of Support

When service is required, it is now much easier for the vender to connect and support your system.   Software upgrades become simpler so it is easier to keep your system up to date with the most current features and options.   Often times, once a system is installed, you may not need to see a technician on your premises for years.

Features

VoIP systems tend to be feature rich.  In fact, the number of features available can become somewhat overwhelming.   This is not to suggest that you will need or ever use these features, but in the event your business requires something special, it is usually simple and cost effective to add on.   Features such as integration with your cellular telephone, "Telecommuting", dialing from Outlook and much more.

Where to find VoIP Venders

For residential VoIP, we are recommending Packet8.  Flat rate service for your home with rates ranging from $10 to $30 for unlimited calls within the US.

For a home office or small offices up to 8 or 9 extensions  we are recommending the "Virtual Office" offered by Packet8.

For larger offices we are currently recommending Mitel solutions for offices from 10 to 5000 extensions.   You can locate a Mitel dealer near you here.