Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), or telephony, is a technology that has been increasingly adopted in recent years connecting phone systems to the internet. Telephony is crucial for many businesses like telemarketing. VoIP and IP phones offer many advantages for professionals.
IP telephony remains rather unknown to the general public and to some company managers. Its functioning and its advantages are not always well understood.
To shed some light on the question, Groupe SL’s IT experts explain what VoIP is and why your business should switch to it.
What is VoIP?
VoIP is a communications-based system short for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a technology that transforms voice into data packets then routes this information over the internet. This technology has many names from hosted telephony or Internet telephony to IP telephony. They all mean the same thing, VoIP.
Since VoIP travels over high-speed Internet rather than the traditional telephone networks, it allows calls to be made from many types of devices (computers, tablets, softphones, etc.), provided they are connected to the Internet.
This is a great advantage for businesses where connectivity between devices can be a complex issue to manage.
IP telephony vs analog telephony
IP telephony sends data packets over the Internet and allows for much more than just voice to be sent. In fact, VoIP allows for the exchange of many types of information, unlike traditional analog telephony. Analog telephony uses sound vibrations over phone-based communications.
IP telephony for businesses has evolved into cloud-based unified communications services that handle all types of communications (phone calls, faxes, voicemail, email, web conferencing, and so on). This is one reason why many VoIP providers are also cloud-based service providers.
How does VoIP for business work?
The term “IP phone” may make you think of a large, bulky device. However, that simply isn’t the case! Virtually any mobile device can serve as an IP phone. It just needs to be connected properly.
Here’s how VoIP for business works in 4 steps:
- Your IP phone connects to your switch or router on your local area network (LAN).
- When you dial a phone number, your IP phone asks your VoIP service provider to connect to the other party.
- Your business VoIP service establishes the connection and exchanges data packets with your IP phone.
- Your IP phone converts these digital signals back into sound that you can hear.
This allows VoIP to completely bypass the local landline phone company!
VoIP benefits for business
Switching to IP telephony as a business is very attractive for several reasons. Here are the benefits that VoIP telephony offers for your business:
Lower phone charges
Because the voice signal travels over the Internet and not through traditional landlines, VoIP providers do not have to pay “routing fees” (fees for routing calls over phone lines) and can reduce overall phone plans for a business.
Lower long-distance charges
Another benefit of VoIP for businesses is reducing the costs associated with long-distance calls. These costs are much lower when using VoIP. This is an undeniable advantage for companies that work with international partners and customers.
Groupe SL includes all North American long-distance calls at no additional cost.
Improved call quality
Calls made over landline can drop in quality depending on where the call is made.
Since IP telephony uses the broadband Internet network for calls, it allows for HD quality voice and video calls.
Simple, fast and cost-effective migration
Migrating to VoIP is typically as easy as connecting the system to your existing devices.
Since IP telephony for businesses eliminates the need for traditional telephone devices and networks, businesses save on the purchase of expensive hardware when they switch to VoIP. Not to mention savings on the maintenance and upkeep of their phone system.
Simplified voicemail management
Another major benefit of VoIP for businesses is voicemail management. VoIP makes it possible to easily set up a switchboard and to use a state-of-the-art voice mailbox.
The switchboard manages all calls as a receptionist would. Welcome messages, call recordings, notifications, text transcriptions, the possibilities for your company are endless.
International number
VoIP telephony for businesses allows you to have an international phone number if you need one. This can be an excellent asset for your company and for international communications.
Secure communications
Security and confidentiality are a priority for many businesses and institutions. Phone calls can be used to share confidential information or sensitive data, such as credit card numbers and medical or legal records.
With encrypted communications, VoIP is safe and secure even when the data packets travel over the Internet. Business IP phone systems have built-in security to prevent malicious people from tapping into calls.
Beware! The encryption of communications is not always included in IP telephony services. At Groupe SL, we have security features for all communications!
Need IT services for your company in Québec? Contact-us now!
Simplified remote work
With VoIP, businesses can make more room for remote work (or work from home setups) without taking a hit to productivity. One reason for this is that there are applications that allow calls housed on a desk phone to be taken using a personal computer or smartphone.
These applications also allow you to call colleagues or clients, participate in conference calls on software like Microsoft Teams, exchange text messages, record conversations and so much more! All this from home or working remotely.
A wealth of useful features
Finally, business VoIP packages can include a large number of features that help businesses manage their customers and partners:
- Call display
- Business directory
- Call waiting
- Receptionist console
- Call recording
- Call queue
- Ringing groups
- Interactive voice response
- Voice message routed via email
- Night mode
- Music on hold
- Detailed call reports
- Virtual conference room
- 911 emergency service
- Call transfer to cell phone
- Virtual phone
- And much more.
Groupe SL includes all of these features are included at no additional cost!
How to switch to VoIP for business?
Migrating from an existing analog phone system to IP telephony for your business is a relatively simple process. Often, it only involves installing a handful of new equipment. Then, configuration can be done via a customer portal or with the help of a technician.
Interestingly, VoIP is sometimes compatible with the technology and devices that businesses already own. Typically, this compatibility is based on a hybrid VoIP system or hybrid PBX, which combines existing telephone equipment with VoIP.
Migrate to VoIP with Groupe SL
As you can see, VoIP for business offers many advantages. From ease-of-use and simplified work processes to secure communications, it creates real added value for your business.
To begin the migration to IP telephony, it’s always good to have the support of an expert in hosted cloud solutions. At Groupe SL, our experts offer a customized VoIP telephony service for businesses!
Contact us now for a free quote! Our team will be happy to meet you and help you setup VoIP telephony for your business.
