What Is VoIP and How Can It Help Your Business Grow?
By C. Bourne
How much do you spend in telephony charges every year? For many businesses, their telephone network can be a serious drain on the profitability of the company. Yet without that essential network, you cannot talk to customers, place orders, seal deals or stay in touch with your business contacts. An effective communications network is the lifeblood of business. And right now, it's costing you money.
Smart business players are starting to take a fresh look at all aspects of their business overheads, including communications. In a digital age, is there really any need for an analogue system that still uses 20th Century technology? Thanks to VoIP, there's a more modern alternative. VoIP (or Voice over Internet Protocol) uses your broadband Internet connection to convert radio signals used in your telephone into 'data packets'. These packets of information can then be sent via your broadband connection. So if it's doing the same job as a phone, what's the benefit? One simple word - cost.
Business broadband packages already mean instant savings for companies who use a hosted system. By piggybacking your telephony system onto this existing network, you can cut your communications costs considerably. Not only do you get international calls for the same cost as local calls, but the support network is already in place, thanks to your IT department.
The benefits of a hosted VoIP provider
For business users, there are three things that matter in their communications decisions - reliability, cost and support. By choosing a hosted VoIP provider to supply you with your telephony requirements, you're getting the complete package for one monthly charge. Rather than estimating telephony costs you know exactly how much you're paying every month, regardless of the number of calls you make or how much of a demand you put on your system. This makes budgeting far easier.
VoIP providers will make sure that your network is established quickly and with the minimum of disruption to your daily working routine. They'll also ensure that system is maintained properly as part of your end-user agreement and are on call 24/7.
Good for profits, good for business
External VoIP lets you establish and maintain a business communications network without paying for additional hardware or equipment. This is particularly useful if your business has satellite offices overseas. By linking up your VoIP services you can slash the cost of keeping in contact with international offices and business contacts. For smaller users, a VoIP provider will work with your ISP to ensure that the two systems work seamlessly together.
With new technology moving forward constantly, choosing VoIP for your business needs also has one other major benefit - it shows your partners that you're serious about doing business. When VoIP first made an appearance 15 years ago, it had a reputation for unreliability and poor sound quality. Now, thanks to huge leaps forward in the technology used, your VoIP system can be accessed through your existing handsets and telephony equipment, negating the need for PC speakers and microphones and utilising existing equipment. 21st Century VoIP is as good if not better than traditional telephony systems and the reduction it represents in overheads in has got the business community very excited. If your business partners are already on VoIP, isn't it about time you joined them?
Contacts: For interviews, images or comments contact: Chris Bourne Online Manager Intercity
About the Author
Chris Bourne - Intercity is a leading independent service provider in the VoIP market offering IP Telephony suited to benefit small and medium businesses.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/C._Bourne/790445