Any successful business today utilizes modern telecommunications tools to improve connections with clients, partners, and personnel, be it just down the hall or across the globe. Whether by voice, video, or data, tele-connecting in the workplace is more prevalent than ever. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol Technology) provides its users with unique and flexible features to create virtual offices while also increasing productivity and maximizing communication abilities. VoIP technology provides the link for businesses with many locations to connect together and get the job done as efficiently as possible.
With a VoIP phone system, voice (or multimedia, fax, or voicemail) is transmitted over the Internet, with interaction and communication occurring through the World Wide Web. VoIP subscribers use broadband Internet service, and the act of calling and receiving calls is essentially similar to traditional landline telephone usage. Many VoIP service providers offer their subscribers flat, monthly rates that often include unlimited domestic calls and occasionally international calls to select countries. This common billing method is quite attractive to businesses with high-volume calling needs.
The development of VoIP technology has proven to be a significant boon for businesses, particularly those with multiple locations. With VoIP, a company’s different locations can be linked together, giving customers who call the impression of a single large office. A customer will call one main company number and then be directed to individual departments or personnel through voice prompts specifying extensions to dial. Features like call transferring to various locations and unified voicemail are often difficult or unavailable without VoIP.
Because of the efficiency of Internet technology, as well as the relatively low costs, VoIP has skyrocketed in popularity in business usage, expanding even to include mobile device connecting capabilities. This growth is one of the main reasons VoIP programs have been enabling telecommuting for employees. Also, with VoIP, multiple calls can be transmitted over one network connection, as can data communications. Such a bundling of activities generally reduces the costs of a company’s infrastructure. Additional features like PC calling and call management are other ways VoIP helps increase and improve productivity in a busy office setting. VoIP features can be added on at any time, so businesses have the option of upgrading their communication packages whenever they see a need.
Connection and clarity issues, though, do need to be taken into consideration when deciding on a VoIP system, because of the nature of the Internet. Problems such as network delays can never entirely be eliminated, but many service providers are developing and offering more standardized, efficient connectivity platforms to avoid such issues. Utilizing a VoIP system will put your business on the fast track to working virtually while also improving productivity, especially for companies with many different geographical locations. Make sure to choose the best features your business needs, and you’ll be paving the way to a successfully tele-connected future.
