Implementing VoIP: Setting Your Business Up for Success
In a post-pandemic environment, it makes sense for businesses to consider investing in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone systems. Indeed, as the workplace is changing and adjusting to a flexible and remote environment, VoIP solutions can keep companies connected wherever their teams are. Moving to a VoIP telephone system presents numerous advantages:
- Cost-effective
- Fully mobile
- Collaborative
- Interactive
- Reliable
But how do you know how to implement the right VoIP solution for your business? We recommend a strategic approach.
Different VoIP needs
There is more than one type of VoIP system, so your priority is to understand which is right for you. VoIP options need to be considered in terms of the business requirements.
Indeed, the first choice companies face is defining the type of VoIP technology, whether integrated access, private branch exchange (PBX) and session initiation protocol trunk (SIP).
You can reach out to specialist vendors to find out the pros and cons for your unique settings. You should also define whether you wish to self-host your VoIP system for greater control over the installation and maintenance. Finally, you need a clear understanding of your required hardware, such as whether you wish to maintain regular phone usage or invest in headsets for your team.
Understanding the Quality of Calls
Every business wants the best possible quality of calls. Yet, what does call quality truly encompass? When you are thinking about quality and functionality, you will consider how your VoIP services affect the interactions of your team and your customers. To determine the right approach, businesses consider:
- Their bandwidth requirements,
- The uptime guarantee,
- Quality of service (QoS) guaranteed with priority to call quality,
- Call continuity via forwarding to mobile numbers when the Internet connection drops,
- The total number of lines,
- Network security and area topology.
Compare VoIP providers
With more than one provider available, a company needs to carefully compare VoIP solutions in terms of the best and most relevant package for their budget. Beware: At this point, you should already understand which services are relevant to your business. The service-level agreements, for instance, should state the expected results to be met after the implementation.
Typically, your SLAs refer to the QoS, the uptime guarantee, bandwidth requirements, and prioritization. The agreement protects the buyers and offers a safe exit plan if the vendor fails to deliver. Businesses will also need to establish the level of support and service availability they require, which can vary depending on your phone policies.
Successful VoIP Implementation
A properly planned VoIP installation can be time- and cost-saving. Companies need to go through the process of defining their needs with the help of an experienced vendor. During the process, you will schedule your installation plan based on your requirements and infrastructure.
If you wish to use port numbers, you will need to plan for transfer, which can take a business day. If you want to upgrade to fiber-optic Internet, this can also be part of your installation, but it could take several weeks. The implementation plan accounts for other necessary processes, including informing your previous carrier and switching your hardware.
VoIP solutions can be a game-changer for businesses. They are time- and cost-saving. However, we strongly recommend researching and comparing solutions to understand which is right for you. The better you plan for your VoIP system, the sooner you can implement it and enjoy high-quality calls.
