In business, there are a few things more important than a reliable method of communication. What is your phone situation like at your company? Are you still using an old, outdated wired phone system? If you are, this article might be for you.

With the majority of businesses today still relying on traditional phone systems, the costs for this service has largely stayed the same. The emergence of the internet, however, has proven to be the change needed to shake the monotony of the industry.

It offered flexibility and cost-effectivity that attracted businesses who are looking to elevate their communication platform. Before we go any further, let’s look at what and how the technology works.

VOIP: a definition

As the ability to make and receive phone calls has become an integral part in how modern businesses conduct business, the strides we’ve made in communications have become an indisputable benefit. The introduction of voice over internet protocol (VOIP) especially has allowed us as a species to elevate and push forward the mechanisms of change, making it possible for people to connect easily and for free (mostly).

The easiest definition for the concept of voice over internet protocol (VOIP) would be that it is the technology to make and receive phone calls over a broadband connection rather than a traditional wired phone line. A more in-depth look entails having to understand how to leverage the following: a formerly-military protocol, the rules of the internet as proposed and managed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), and open source programs like Asterisk.

VOIP is the protocol fueling the rise of modern cloud computing and is a whole industry in itself. The most identifiable names being Skype and Zoom, these companies have made connecting with families easy and accessible. It is also the default for businesses to conduct their call center operations online.

In 2021, 53 % of medium-sized enterprises used cloud computing compared to 46 % in 2020. There are a number of reasons why current enterprises choose to take their computing to the cloud. Chief among them would be convenience, accessibility, and savings. Are you thinking of following them?

Benefits of VOIP/cloud phone

• There’s the clear benefit of savings. The average per minute charge of a phone call varies per region, but it’s a definitely more noticeable difference. Where the savings really start to stack is when you consider the absence of a physical hardware, one that might require installation and maintenance fees. So that’s two fees that you can simply cross out!
• Scalability is one thing you don’t hear of a lot, but it is a benefit of a cloud phone system. With it being a cloud-based architecture, you can simply choose the plan that works for you at any given time. You can add or remove extensions based on the growth of your company.
• A cloud phone system allows you to connect to your loved ones and your customers anywhere, anytime. Since it practically runs on a browser (ideally Google Chrome), that means you can use the cloud phone anywhere as long as there’s internet connection. This mobility is perfect for this work-from-home revolution that we’re all going through.
• A cloud phone is a lot easier to learn and master than a physical phone system. And there’s the fact that if an on-premise phone system breaks down, you need to schedule an appointment for a technician to come and do repairs. You lose precious hours in the process! A cloud phone, on the other hand, can be remotely fixed by a team of IT specialists easily. So its ease of use and reliability are major selling points!
• If you’re worried about the safety and accessibility of your call recordings, worry not! A cloud phone system means that your calls are all recorded on the cloud, which you can use for whichever purpose. This is perfect for businesses who require that level of security and accountability.

Are you really saving money with VOIP?