The Shift to VoIP

Submitted by: Anthony Ziccardi, President, Business Communication Specialists

Voice over Internet Protocol - more commonly known as VoIP. What is the first thing that comes to your mind? Magic Jack, Skype, Vonage. The allure of free phone calls over a simple internet connection. That sounds enticing but free is a common misconception held by many business owners. The truth is that the calls are only free in a fully managed VoIP call. To simplify, both parties need to be using a VoIP device and the devices need to be directly connected across an IP connection. A Skype to Skype call would be an example of such a call. Skype is considered a soft phone application since no actual phone is sitting on your desk and the software running on your computer makes the VoIP connection. Skype calls will only work when you are logged into both your computer and the Skype software. Vonage and Magic Jack both sell you a piece of hardware that allows your traditional telephone to connect to their service via a broadband internet connection. All three providers allow free calls between in network customers (ie. Skype to Skype) and have charges for calls terminating to regular phones. All of these providers offer you easy entry into using VoIP and some offer features that may benefit a small business.

Traditionally, businesses rely on an in-house phone system and the public switched telephone network (PSTN). These offer reliable call quality and sound plus limited scalability and features. One main limitation is cost. Buying a phone system for your business can be like buying a car for your family. You start out with a Honda Civic because it is a low cost investment, reliable, gets good gas mileage and all three of you fit. But in a couple of years when the family grows to five or six, now you need to look at investing in something larger and with a higher price tag. Secondly, the phone system features are limited to the office where it is installed. So if you have a second office you need to buy and manage a second phone system and remote workers are difficult to integrate. Additionally most users can figure out some basic systems features, like placing a call on hold or checking their voicemail, but any basic moves adds or changes typically require a service call.

VoIP is shifting the traditional paradigm. Many of today’s phone systems can be VoIP enabled. Or traditional telephony can be eliminated entirely. VoIP offers your organization unmatched scalability. Many of the features that were traditionally only available to very large organizations can be easily integrated into a VoIP solution. For example, a small business that has an in house customer service team can run an inbound call center for relatively little cost. All of the agents do not even need to sit in the same building. And because more VoIP systems provide applications that are easier to use, many more businesses can self-administer any moves or changes - saving the business time and money.

VoIP service quality is directly affected by the quality of your data connections. Before you install VoIP service, it is important that you have your network and internet connections professionally evaluated so that you experience clear reliable calls.

To learn more about how Business Communication Specialists can become your telecommunications or VoIP partner, please contact Anthony Ziccardi by phone at 856-332-3399 or by email at anthony@bcshelp.com.

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