VoIP office phone systems are adaptable, feature rich systems that reduce telecommunication budgets without sacrificing voice quality or features.

In fact, VoIP has uses way beyond the capabilities of traditional phone systems such as virtual phone numbers, forwarding faxes and voice mail to e-mail, fixed mobile convergence, and more.

Though VoIP technology has come a long way, some businesses are wary of replacing traditional phone systems with VoIP. They worry about inferiorvoice quality, call hacking, dependence on internet connectivity, expenses and difficulty of implementation. In this article, we discuss how the benefits of VoIP overshadow the potential hurdles, and how to maximize your VoIP system.

What do you gain with VoIP phone systems?

VoIP service will undoubtedly improve the productivity of your business and drastically cut telecommunication expenses. Here is how it accomplishes it:

Improving VoIP technology

Earlier, VoIP restricted users to computer systems and patchy voice quality. Today's standard phones (equipped with VoIP adapters) and IP phones promise consistent voice quality, freedom to travel with your VoIP phone, and a range of helpful features. Businesses leverage existing networks for intra-office calls, leading to huge savings and enhanced employee productivity.

Business VoIP slashes telecommunication costs

Conventional phone systems require management and maintenance of costly infrastructure as per industry regulations. VoIP cuts down implementation and maintenance overheads by maintaining a single network for voice and data. Moving the phone with the employees that typically costs about $100 per head is now as straightforward as plugging an IP phone into another broadband network jack. For similar services, VoIP providers fall cheaper too than conventional phone system vendors.

Use VoIP services wherever you are

An IP phone can be used wherever there is a high speed internet connection. Colleagues and clients can reach you whether you are at the office, your home, a hotel or even a friend's place. This cuts down your cell phone expenses. A lot of VoIP systems come with a software application which can be used to make and receive calls on your laptop by plugging in a headphone and a microphone.

Easy VoIP configuration

Voice mails and faxes can be forwarded to your email inbox by configuring the VoIP phone system. Emails can also be recorded and delivered as voice mail. You can easily manage your messages and mails at one place.

Virtual phone number

If you are making calls to customers outside your area, you may want to use a local number. With VoIP, you can display a number with the desired area code to customers.

VoIP improves productivity

Research indicates that productivity is impacted positively through the use of VoIP phone systems. VoIP phone system features cut down on the time wasted in managing calls. Your VoIP phone number can ring concurrently on your landline and mobile phone before reaching voice mail, ensuring you always take an urgent call.

Making the most of VoIP phone systems

VoIP is a worthwhile investment. If you still have concerns about potential hurdles, these tips will help you stay on top of them.

1. Hire VoIP service vendors

Though a standard VoIP phone system is fairly straightforward to install, hire a VoIP service provider for bigger projects. Some network providers manage installation and configuration of VoIP solutions for small businesses.

2. Run a pilot project

Have a small group of people use the VoIP system and verify its usefulness to your business. Once you're satisfied, roll it out across the business location. Hold on to your traditional phone system as a backup during this phase.

3. No missed calls with call forwarding

Set your VoIP phone system to forward unanswered calls to a cell phone or a landline or both. If there is a power failure, you won't miss any calls till an alternative power source gets going.

4. Secure your network

The only way to circumvent call hacking is to protect your network from denial-of-service attacks and digital hackers. Network security should be updated on priority and checks should be thorough.

VoIP phone systems are an economical option with all the advantages of an advanced telecommunications system. Small businesses can substitute travel with videoconferencing to save costs, use VoIP integrated call center applications, and other cost effective benefits of VoIP. With modern wireless phones offering easy switching between mobile and Wi-Fi networks, VoIP users can look forward to more services at affordable costs. Daljeet Sidhu is the author of this article.