Small firms urged to adopt IP telephony to remain competitive

Small companies are keen to embrace VoIP, but still aren’t seeing the real advantages of convergence. Small businesses warned that failure to adopt IP telephony systems could leave them at a "competitive disadvantage".

According to Robert Poe of VoIP News, smaller firms must keep up with the communication capabilities of larger rivals and should ensure that they select the right system to support Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

By considering their needs and budget, small businesses can secure the right VoIP system for them, helping to make them "appear big to their customers".

Moving voice communications to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) isn't just about saving money on calls. Companies will make the transition because of a whole host of other reasons that include improved business communication, customer service, and increased employee productivity and mobility.

Firms must weight up the merits of on-premise or hosted IP private branch exchanges (PBX) and consider whether they can afford the upfront investment required for an on-premise system or would be better served with a hosted service, which can provide expanding capacity.

The benefits of a Hosted VoIP communications model are numerous and go beyond simple costs savings as customers have access to this technology without the associated problems of system acquisition, finance, deployment and support.

10 reasons why hosted VoIP is good for SME’s

State of the Art VoIP phone system
Hosted VoIP provides business customers with a leading edge phone system without the associated capital cost. From day one you will have a system that delivers all the current features plus tomorrows as they become available.
Future Proof
Hosted VoIP is "future proof," as soon as we introduce new features, we roll them out to our customers, so you won't have to worry about another large capital equipment upgrade a few years down the road.
Pay As You Grow
There is no penalty to start small and then add “seats” to the system as you grow, as you only pay for the seats you need on a monthly basis.
Reduce Trunk Lines
Renting truck lines from carriers isn't small change for most organisations that rely on voice for both internal communications and customer interaction. Trunk line rental is a significant part of monthly overhead cost, so why not reduce this outlay wherever and whenever possible?
Reduce Call Costs
While saving on calls is no longer the primary driver for adopting VoIP, it can be a prime factor for organisations that have multiple offices requiring frequent voice communication, so not having to pay for that communication can reduce a large amount from an organisation's operational budget.
Instant Communication and Collaboration
VoIP improves productivity and the ability to collaborate remotely by creating direct links between teleworkers and office-based workers with the click of a mouse - a "workplace without borders."
Seamless Teleworker Connectivity
That VoIP system makes it easy to integrate teleworkers into the business telephone system through their own broadband connections. In addition, your customers will be able to reach your teleworkers through your corporate switchboard, regardless of where the worker is physically located.
Respond More Quickly to Customers
With a Hosted VoIP system, companies can improve customer communication by providing them with VoIP telephones that allow them to contact your sales and service departments directly, free.
Cut Move, Addition and Change Costs
Every time your company moves, adds, or changes a conventional telephone connection, it costs money. With VoIP, your network configuration is software programmable and its voice signals are carried over your business LAN so you can administer the changes yourself.
Your Number Moves with You
Unlike traditional numbers, you can take your number with you, down the road, to another town, or even another country as the system is not dependant upon your geographic location

Small firms urged to adopt IP telephony to remain competitive

10 reasons why hosted VoIP is good for SME’s

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