Business VoIP Costs and Considerations

All organizations, especially small businesses, need to consider various factors when it comes to incorporating a new business VoIP phone system.  This article will cover the benefits and everything that needs to be factored in when shopping for business VoIP services.

Business VoIP Costs

1.) Cost Savings - Almost guaranteed as business VoIP providers charge up to 50% less than traditional phone services. 

2.)  Increased Productivity - Productivity can be significantly increased with a business VoIP solution.  Some companies have reported increased productivity of up to 3 hours a week per employee.  Useful features such as Outlook integration, click to call, voice mail, conference calling and management tools all contribute to increased productivity.

3.) Lower MAC Costs - Technological advancements enable moves, adds and changes from an existing phone to a new workstation. 

4.)  Reduced Maintenance Costs - With a hosted VoIP PBX service, expenses associated with ongoing maintenance can be dramatically reduced as providers generally charge reasonable fees on a fixed basis. 

5.)  IT Department Training - Staff will need to be trained on how to use the new business VoIP phone system.  Fortunately, most solutions require little training. 

6.)  Backup Phone Lines - In the event of a power failure, it is recommend to always keep a few traditional analog backup lines in place.

7.)  UPS and Backup Generators - Uninterruptible power supplies and backup generators are needed for a business VoIP phone system as they will keep the operation flowing in the event of a power failure.

8.)  Reduced Cell Phone Charges - Most business VoIP business solutions can be used with softphones and Wi-Fi connections.  Cost savings are the result as this integration enables phone calls over a PC instead of a mobile handset.  As the business VoIP calls are part of the predefined network charges, the only costs you are required to pay are for the internet connection itself. 

9.)  Reduced Telecommuting Costs - With no major setup or installation fees to pay, telecommuting expenses can be trimmed as voice communication takes place over an internet connection. 

10.)  Reduced Staffing Costs - With a fully integrated business VoIP solution, administrative personnel can be reduced as less are required for answering phones.

Network Considerations  

1.)  Security - Before implementing VoIP for business purposes, you need to ensure that your network is protected against common threats such as hackers and malicious code. 

2.)  H.323 Standard - More business VoIP service providers are moving towards this standard as the technology increases in popularity.  If your network is not at this standard level, you should seriously consider an upgrade. 

3.)  Reliability - Redundancy is a must in any network infrastructure.  This simply means that your network must be designed in a manner where if one piece of equipment fails, another is available to keep operations thriving. 

4.)  Emergency 911 - When deciding to upgrade to a business VoIP solution, emergency situations need to be carefully considered.  As anything could occur, it is vital to inquire within your VoIP service provider to make sure they offer an emergency 911 service.

5.)  Bandwidth  - Bandwidth is a critical aspect of your network and must be considered in regard to business VoIP.  The best way to lower this expense is selecting a codec that utilizes a minimal amount while still providing exceptional performance. 

Features and Aspects to Consider   

1.)  Converged Applications - Integrated business VoIP applications can enable voice mail, call forwarding, email and faxes. 

2.)  Image Enhancement - Features such as virtual phone numbers will enable you to effectively communicate in areas where you do not have a physical presence.  This could be from the home office or another country. 

3.)  Audio conferencing - Supports multi-user communications, offering the ability to drastically cut the costs associated with face-to-face meetings. 

4.)  Fully Managed Business VoIP - Hosted VoIP PBX services offer great flexibility, reducing costs associated with hardware installation and administration. 

5.)  Scalability - Business VoIP phone systems offer scalability to support the growth of your company.  Select the options you need and then upgrade to advanced features as your business expands.