Save Costs with VOIP

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP or VoIP) has been the subject of much buzz over the past couple of years, but it can be sometimes hard to get to the bottom of what it means.

VOIP Explained

VOIP is the process of digitizing telephone conversations and carrying them over computer data networks, rather than relying on traditional, dedicated copper phone lines.

Often where you'll see the term VOIP used is to describe the process of making cheap or free calls over the Internet. Carrying calls over the Internet bypasses the traditional Telcommunications companies like Telstra, who still charge a premium for International calls. VOIP is also often shortened to IP.

An IP PABX is one that can use VOIP for phone calls. But VOIP isn't just about free phone calls.

Benefits of VOIP

Using VOIP means that you can carry phone calls to anywhere you have a network or Internet connection, not just where there are phone cables available. VOIP also enables the use of modern computer technology to help make handling calls a whole lot smarter, and often at lower costs than previously available. For example, a trixbox Pro VOIP PABX can:

1. Email you your Voicemails.
2. Enable telecommuters to work from home, as if they were in the office.
3. Link multiple offices together, and allow one office to answer calls on behalf of another.
4. Have multiple people hold conference calls in-house.
5. Use a PC or Mac to see who's on the phone, drag-and-drop transfer phone calls.
6. Provide recorded messages, and auto-attendant features (press 1 for sales, 2 for support etc.
7. And much, much more.

VOIP and Call Quality

VOIP has been used in conjunction with cheap phone calls for so long, that there is now also an association with poor voice quality. There's no doubt that a poor VOIP system will lead to poor voice quality. However using the right technology and chosing the right providers will reuslt in call quality no different to traditional phone services.

The problem is bandwidth and quality of service. Basically, the Internet is designed to carry as much data as possible, and it doesn't normally care what's more important. Most of the Internet is well positioned to carry voice traffic, but the "last mile" Internet service from the exchange into to your office is the most common the source of quality problems.If you're viewing a web-page, or downloading a file, then it doesn't matter if this takes half a second longer. But half a second in a phone call is a very noticeable delay.

The trick is to use services that prioritise voice traffic above all else. There a many companies offering great quality services. Contact one of our consultants and we'll put you in touch with one or more who you can talk to.

How VOIP Saves Money

Most people will tell you that VOIP saves money through cheaper call costs. And in some respects this is true. However, the most significant savings a business can make are associated with the way you interact with customers, rather than the costs of phone calls. If you can enable someone to work remotely, then you have a more flexible workforce. If you can link offices together, then you can share each others work-load. If you can use a IVR to route calls, then you don't need a dedicated receptionist. If you can improve your customer experience, then you can increase customers satisfaction and improved sales, and still reduce the time and cost of each call.