VoIP for Small and Medium-Sized Business
Before we start talking about why having VoIP is such a great way to go, we should review what we mean by VoIP and unified communications.
Voice over Internet Protocol is a methodology and group of technologies for the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (such as the internet).
Unified Communications is a term describing the integration of real time communications services such as instant messaging (chat), presence information, voice (including IP telephony), mobility features (including extension mobility and single number reach), audio, web & video conferencing, fixed-mobile convergence (FMC), desktop sharing, data sharing (including web connected electronic interactive whiteboards), call control and speech recognition with non-real-time communication services such as unified messaging (integrated voicemail, e-mail, SMS and fax).
UC is not necessarily a single product, but a set of products that provides a consistent unified user-interface and user-experience across multiple devices and media-types.
VoIP is the first step toward greater efficiency and productivity.
By combining all of your communications — everything from voice to data to video — you can enjoy a cost-effective, easy-to-use business solution full of features that help you do business better.
How VoIP helps you focus on what matters: Your Business
Small business owners are discovering why VoIP hardware is such a powerful tool for maintaining a competitive edge.
When you switch to an IP-based unified communications system, you'll find that you can increase productivity because you've combined and simplified your communication tools.
You can secure your voice and data more strongly.
You can make it easier for your employees to maintain access to your network — from anywhere, at any time.
Why VoIP helps cut costs
You'll spend less money on travel by using online conferencing, easy-to-use video calls, and other tools for better collaboration
You'll find that it's easy to add extra phones and phone lines — no more expensive, fixed-port station cards and line cards — just one-time licenses to be added, as necessary.
If you deploy SIP trunks (which are less expensive than traditional telephone lines) you will be able to quickly increase (or decrease) your trunks, as necessary.
Why VoIP helps improve communication with customers and employees
Your employees will have more ways to stay connected
By using "presence" technology, staff members will be able to see if colleagues are available and how best to get in touch with them
With VoIP you'll see that it's easy to work remotely from any place as long as you have an internet connection.
Increased Flexibility and Mobility
Internet telephony does more than increase savings by lowering costs. It also enables the user to integrate software programs, such as e-mail, e-fax, and remote conferencing over the Internet via the telephone.
In other words, a VoIP user can speak to somebody over the phone while accessing other applications, including the Internet simultaneously. VoIP users can, leverage extension portability and soft phones to hold telephone conversations at venues that offer an Internet connection.
An increase in mobility assists individuals who are always on the move, especially corporate employees who are required to travel. Long distance VoIP calls are also relatively cheaper than traditional cell phone calls.
Increased Productivity
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology can increase the overall productivity of an organization by allowing their employees to multi-task without interruption. It also allows the organization to allocate funds usually spent on traditional phone bills to other aspects of the business.
VoIP also allows users to attach documents, conduct virtual meetings, and share data via video conferencing. VoIP technology has also enhanced voice clarity to make it indistinguishable from traditional telephony.
One of the drawbacks of earlier VoIP versions was distorted phone calls, lagging transmission, and dropped calls — but today’s VoIP, properly configured and implemented has changed all that. The change in VoIP technology has made it more appealing to businesses and organizations of all sizes.
Easy to Install, Use, and Troubleshoot
With VoIP you no longer require separate cabling for phones and desktop PCs. The IP phone plugs into the data jack (on the wall) and the desktop PC plugs into the IP phone. You use one Ethernet port to support both phone and PC.
The scalability of the VoIP infrastructure makes it easy to add new components with minimal hassle. Since the transfer of voice to digital signals occurs using software instead of hardware, it makes it easier to alter and maintain the entire system.
All of these features make Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology a popular choice among businesses. VoIP technology combines and stores data onto one single network. This increases the manageability, cost-effectiveness, and productivity for businesses that need reliable communication. Businesses can also invest in wireless VoIP technology to make low-cost calls from any place that offers Wi-Fi, such as cafeterias, book stores, hotels, airports, and a variety of other locations.
High Tech has partnered with several world-class VoIP system manufacturers. For more information on which will work best for your organization, please contact your High Tech Account Manager.
Sales: 905 853-2335 ext. 561
