Whitepaper. Finally Your Small Business Phone Solutions Solved

Transcription

1 Whitepaper Finally Your Small Business Phone Solutions Solved

2 Finally Your Small Business Phone Solutions Solved With Innovative Small Business Phone Solutions Fortunately, the same technology that allows processing a vast increase in commercial activity also provides answers to the question of how a business can continue to thrive during a downturn. Small businesses today are faced with both a range of opportunities and a set of challenges unknown in previous years. On the one hand, amazing developments in technology over the last twenty years provide advanced computers, Internet, cellular phones and many other features that make all kinds of business activity that much faster and efficient. On the negative size of the balance, the economic downturn has cut demands for business services and led to redundancies. Every business now needs to be more careful than ever before over its spending. Fortunately, the same technology that allows processing a vast increase in commercial activity also provides answers to the question of how a business can continue to thrive during a downturn. There is no need for a fall in custom to be reflected in the face the business presents to the world. The area of telecommunications is an excellent case in point. Many businesses have discovered that by transferring their phones to VoIP they achieve substantial capital and maintenance cost savings. At the same time, they gain a phone system that meets all their employee and customer needs and can be easily adjusted in accordance with evolving business requirements.

3 So, since there is no longer any reason to be concerned over service quality, VoIP s cost advantages and advanced features are pushing it forward as the preferred telecommunications option. It is hard to find a good reason to stay with a technology that is now well over 100 years old when there is a much more economical and feature-rich modern alternative. Unraveling the Mystery of VoIP VoIP (Voice over Internet Profile) is one of the most exciting contemporary developments in the telecommunications field. Do not be put off by all the abbreviations and tech-savvy terms bandied around. The basic VoIP concept does not require a degree in rocket science to understand. Most small businesses are now connected to the Internet for , business information and other purposes. This broadband structure that is already in position is however not fully exploited. In addition to these information services it is possible to use the same broadband lines to carry audio and video calls. One of VoIP s major advantages is how it uses your existing broadband lines to carry voice, video and data communications. There is thus no need to continue paying for an additional phone line when you can use a single line for Internet and phone calls. Maybe you have heard of problems with VoIP call quality? In the early days of VoIP there were definitely problems of this kind, but over the past few years all these issues have been resolved. Now the call quality you can expect is indistinguishable from the regular landline connection.

4 So, since there is no longer any reason to be concerned over service quality, VoIP s cost advantages and advanced features are pushing it forward as the preferred telecommunications option. Good Reasons for Selecting a VoIP Solution While cost advantages provide many businesses with sufficient reason to seriously consider using a VoIP system, this technology is also attractive from the perspective of the value-added features it supports. An increasing number of small businesses have come to appreciate the possibilities for virtual business operation opened up by the Internet. It has also become more common for employees to work from remote locations rather than in a central office. These trends have reduced the relevance of an old-fashioned PBX. VoIP is an ideal solution for businesses that wish to take advantage of remote working and other virtual office features. From distant locations your employees can access all the features formerly only accessible in the office. Although remote working is an important VoIP plus, it is only one of a number of valuable VoIP benefits. You are likely to be just as much, or perhaps even more interested in some of the following gains: Halving land-line call costs. No need to change familiar business phone numbers. Easy to upgrade and expand in line with your business s development without the need for investing or renting new hardware. All it takes is a few mouse-clicks to change the system configuration. Since the VoIP software and system security are updated at the network you are freed from concerns over these important albeit time-consuming issues. Everything you can find in a POTS Phone and More The relative newness of VoIP technology does not mean you are going to have to get used to some unfamiliar phone type that takes for ever to master. VoIP phones are characterized by a stylish look with clear LCD screens, speakerphones and programmable keys. They support the full range of user friendly features you rightly expect to find. These features commonly include voice mail, caller ID, conference calls, call forwarding, call waiting and many other useful options, VoIP Specials Hosted PBX and Key Phone Systems Many businesses have been attracted by the significant savings that hosted VoIP phone systems provide. They save you the troubles and expenses of dealing with telephone system installations, maintenance and upgrades. All this is achieved without callers detecting any difference in call experience quality. The hosted phone system concept involves a service provider hosting the business client s phone system server at their premises. The client s calls and data are routed over the host PBX to their office. All the system maintenance costs and security issue handling is transferred from the business to the service provider. The provider can also easily extend and update the system when required to do so by the client. Payment can be on a monthly basis with the customer buying the telephony equipment. Alternatively, the phone equipment may be leased and a ser-

5 It is natural to want to avoid any additional expenses and to hope to get full value out of the system you purchased. If you find yourself in such a situation the virtual trunking option is likely to be the most appealing. vice package negotiated with free calls, voice mail, and conference calls, advanced routing and other valued features. While these hosted PBX systems are most suitable to medium to large business office needs, smaller businesses can gain comparable advantages from hosted key systems. Key systems phones employ multiple lines with indicator lights showing when a phone is in use. This is especially useful in offices where phone line sharing is required. Key systems often allow several employees to answer calls on these shared lines. They also frequently support network directory searching, paging and other features appreciated in small business office environments. But I ve Already Invested Heavily in a Phone System If you have already heavily invested in a business phone system, a reluctance to consider change is understandable. It is natural to want to avoid any additional expenses and to hope to get full value out of the system you purchased. If you find yourself in such a situation the virtual trunking option is likely to be the most appealing. Virtual trunking is a VoIP solution that allows you to keep using your existing phone equipment while not missing out on the benefits of VoIP. Existing voice and Internet lines are merged to deliver the full benefits of a digital service over broadband while your current phone system is retained. Virtual trunking supports all the standard VoIP features businesses demand today such as online billing and account management, caller ID, and national directory listings. Good discount rates on international and toll-free calls are another welcome plus in many virtual trunking offers. Online Conferencing Opportunities The chance to conduct business virtual business meetings is a feature of modern communications with great commercial benefits. From both the perspectives of costs and convenience the appeal of online conferencing only seems to be growing. All kinds of meetings, training sessions, Web seminars, sales presentations and many other events of this kind have taken to the broadband. VoIP provides an ideal framework for quality virtual business conferencing. It is possible

6 to find VoIP solutions that include all the essential conferencing features, including the ability to work with any Web browser, share computer desktops, conduct private conversations in the midst of conferences, and hold meetings of any length. Once again VoIP proves its worth by facilitating inexpensive quality virtual conferencing without any need for software downloads or dealing with third party vendors. Global Business Enterprise Friendly Web development now enables even the smallest of firms to expand their businesses beyond national borders. To take full advantage of these exciting new online business possibilities you do however require an appropriate phone system. International customers demand 24/7 access to sale outlets, and efficient and speedy means of communicating with buyers and sellers. VoIP offers you many advantages for your global business. Overseas calling rates can be as low as ten percent of the rates charged by other service providers. VoIP also does a fine job providing the flexible and highly mobile phone system suited to global commerce. Call making and receiving from any device with a broadband connection is a great boon for anyone working in the dynamic international market. Weighing up the Evidence In today s fast-moving trading environment you cannot afford to stand still and continue to place your reliance on old phone technologies. It is essential to consider how new communications options can help you cut costs and conduct business more efficiently. The popularity of feature-rich, highly economical and easy to use VoIP systems is sufficient testimony to the advantages they bring to small and medium size businesses. Why not follow in the path of so many other firms and explore how a VoIP phone system could be the best solution to your business communications needs? We would be happy to supply you with the information you need to access how well VoIP features match up with your phone system requirements. You can contact Worldnet Solutions at or