10 Unexpected Benefits of VoIP Phone Systems

Most business managers align themselves to the idea of implementing a VoIP phone systembecause it has one primary attractive feature: cost savings when compared to traditional phone lines and data transfer. However, when folks get a chance to dig into the details of all that VoIP can offer, the strategic benefits begin to appear. Here are ten somewhat unexpected benefits that VoIP can provide once installed:

1. Fast Data Transfer – Because VoIP utilizes the Internet as the transfer conduit, the system is only as slow as the channel it uses to move through. So, a basic 100 Mbps channel may seem slow at first, but put the VoIP on a CAT 5 channel or faster, and its speed capability begins to shine in daily use.

2. User-Friendly Connection – The hardware involved doesn’t require a degree in rocket science to get desks connected. Once the system gets set up and operating on the office network, the handsets for voice use simply have to be plugged in by Ethernet cable to the same grid. Each node then has a designated number which can be moved as easy as the employee is moved around the office.

3. Quality Performance – With a VoIP system, it will test slightly lower than the best landline connection, but most homes and offices are slapped together with short deadlines and low-cost contractor material, which means physical tests for performance don’t always reflect the practical function. Performance is noticeably a bit less where data becomes congested on a network – causing momentary delays in voice data transfer. Digital voice can also trigger some echoing on long distance calls as well. However, the vast majority of calls will work just fine.

4. Hardware Quality Affects Experience – VoIP hardware is like buying a set of golf clubs. You can buy cheap ones or expensive ones, but using quality clubs is going to be pleasurable while the cheap ones may become more work. The same goes for VoIP hardware: you get what you pay for.

5. Reliability – There may be some hiccups at first, but most companies have switching and mirror platforms in place, so any loss of communication is momentary before the system flips to new Internet connections to restore contact. As a result, reliability is high for VoIP phones.

6. Voicemail – A networked voicemail system makes it far easier to obtain messages from any location. Instead of being saved on a desk phone, VoIP voicemail goes into the network for easy retrieval from anywhere.

7. Website Interfacing – VoIP phone systems have a unique feature that allows them to connect to websites, enabling browsers to dial and access a VoIP number through a computer.

8. Distributed Team Enhancement – One of the big barriers to teams who are geographically displaced centers around getting everyone to function like they are right in the same room. Conference phone lines also take the time to schedule and often suffer from competition of use. With VoIP, as long as a person can connect to the Internet, they can access the network with a portable phone or laptop.

9. Station Portability – With a VoIP phone system, moving offices and numbers around is incredibly easy. This becomes a significant advantage when it comes time for office scaling.

10. Easier Management – With a consolidated communication tool on one network, enterprise operations are far easier to manage and control.