It was predicted by 2011 that two-thirds of American businesses would implement some form of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) in their business, with those numbers continuing to rise in the future. This number demonstrates a 20% increase from the number of businesses that used VoIP in 2007. With these numbers in mind, it’s assumed that more and more companies will implement business VoIP in their own companies.

What is VoIP?

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a blessing to telecommunications, with its ability to transmit voice over a data network. VoIP sidesteps traditional phone hardware and transmits voice over the company’s data network already in place.

Benefits of VoIP

Business VoIP systems offer many advantages to a company because they increase productivity and lower costs. Other benefits include:

• Access. Since users are never in the same place, they are able to access VoIP anywhere they go using any internet connection. This is especially useful for employees who work abroad, are stuck in traffic, or work from home.
• Integration. This form of technology allows integration with other forms of communications. This could be especially useful in Customer Relationship Management since it helps increase productivity throughout sales and support.
• Flexibility. There is no need for IT as the user can make necessary changes on their own. They can do this by making the changes directly through the dashboard or by calling a service provider.
• Functionality. Users are able to use special features not available otherwise. These features include call forwarding and electronic messaging, three way conferencing, videoconferencing, and advanced call distribution.
• Lower startup and maintenance costs. Companies may wish to implement this due to the low cost of initial setup and routine maintenance. Having a data network instead of regular phone lines, businesses are able to combine all communications into a single network.

Increased Productivity

With the implementation of VoIP in businesses, workers can be more productive. VoIP increases productivity through integrated mailboxes and real-time videoing. This system is also easy to learn, which means, employees won’t have to sit through tiring training sessions. Since employees have the opportunity to work remotely, this may increase their satisfaction, meaning they will be happier and work harder.

Lower Costs

Besides the lower setup and maintenance costs, businesses will see infrastructure costs reduced. Facilities costs will also be lower because you will not have as many phone lines running through the office.

While the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives, companies need to do what is best for them overall. However, if you are in the telephone business, you may want to get on the bandwagon for this technology since it is the future.

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For more on Business VoIP, contact Jeana Olchowy. Follow her @jolchowy25.