The IT world is chock-full of abbreviations and jargon, and VoIP is no exception. What many businesses don’t know, however, is just how beneficial this particular abbreviation could prove in helping streamline an organisation’s communications and day-to-day operations. The team here at Nutbourne, who amongst other IT solutions provide VoIP services in London, wanted to look at the process in a bit more detail and why so many businesses are turning to it over the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
What Is VoIP?
First, though, let’s look at what VoIP is. It stands for “Voice over Internet Protocol” (sometimes also known as IP telephony) and it refers, at its simplest, to calling via the internet! These calls can either be via audio or video, and in today’s fast-paced and globalised world, they can make all the difference.
How Does It Work?
In layman’s terms, VoIP works by taking your audio and converting it into digital signals using your broadband connection. It’s worth noting that you need to have a reliable, high-speed internet connection for VoIP to be worth considering. What, then, are the main benefits to VoIP technology?
Cost
At the end of the day, almost all business decisions come down to cost. When you compare VoIP technology with traditional landline alternatives, it’s something of a no brainer. Many smaller businesses and SMEs continue to use legacy phone systems such as the aforementioned PSTN or the integrated services digital network (ISDN) simply because they don’t know there’s a better alternative out there.
When you look at the financial breakdown, however, there’s a clear winner. In fact, according to some research, SMEs can see up to 90% cost reductions on international calls and still-impressive 40% reductions on local calls by adopting this now well-established technology. Of course, there are initial setup and training costs, as with implementing any other new technology, but when assessing long-term savings? ? VoIP takes the plaudits.
Versatility
Amongst this technology’s other leading benefits is its versatility. Unlike traditional landline systems, VoIP systems can act as so much more than just a phone. Many modern VoIP systems include team collaboration features, API integration, screen sharing and voice to email transcription. Some of the really innovative systems are even beginning to configure AI and machine learning into their systems!
Call Quality
Asides from all these shiny extras, the fact remains that what you’re looking at here is a phone system and so you’ll understandably want to know whether call quality holds up when compared with landline alternatives? In short, yes. In fact, whilst call quality was an issue in early VoIP technology, these days you get a crystal-clear and crisp phone line – with that caveat, of course, that your internet connection is up to the task.
Are There Any Downsides?
No technologies are perfect, and VoIP is no exception. As already touched upon, a high-speed internet connection is required. This is by far the most significant factor holding the technology back at the moment, because it means that those smaller businesses and SMEs which operate from locations with poor internet provision are unable to make use of it.
These days, most businesses understand the importance of internet speeds when choosing a base for their operations, but what if your business was set up prior to the “.com boom”? There are also occasionally latency issues and issues faced from the inability to make emergency calls in a power outage. Overall, however, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
VoIP Continues To Grow
The internet phone revolution is already in full swing and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. With a market value set to reach $55 billion by the middle of this decade, now is a perfect time for businesses to adopt VoIP technology and position themselves for the new, optimised era of business communication.
Installation Support & Training
If your business has been using traditional analogue phone systems in the past, the switch to internet telephony can be a potentially daunting one. Here at Nutbourne, however, we’ll not only guide you through the implementation but offer training and support beyond that, as well. Staff should take a little extra time to learn the new system inside-out than taking months or even longer to finally get the most out of what these systems have to offer.
Contact Nutbourne
Our thoughts? If you’re company’s internet is capable (and if you’re unsure, Nutbourne will happily assess this for you!) then VoIP adds another string to your business bow. So, if you’d like to find out more about our London VoIP services, then get in touch! Contact Nutbourne today on 0203 137 7273 or by filling out our online, interactive form. To view our other in-depth blog posts, click here!