Tag Archives: voip
Tips to Ensure a Smooth Migration to IP Telephony
There are a number of reasons which make VoIP telephony an appealing addition to any modern business, and those who have switched from a traditional telephone system will have done so with clear objectives in mind. If youre considering migrating to a VoIP service provider, consider the following questions to ensure a stress-free migration.
What do you want to achieve through switching to a VoIP service provider?
When making decisions on behalf of your business, its important to set some clear objectives. You must first understand the reasons driving the switch – perhaps you need to cut costs on lengthy international calls, modernise old equipment or improve your communications as a whole. Be clear on your goals, and always keep them in mind when reviewing service providers.
What VoIP package best suits the business?
When you have an understanding on the reasoning behind the switchover, seek out a provider that can help you to achieve those specific needs or requirements. Every business is unique, so shop around for a service that suits you.
While every business is unique, so is every VoIP provider, and many providers will be flexible with the services they offer and should be able to accommodate your specific needs. It pays to speak with prospective providers about your specific requirements to help inform your decision.
Does the provider understand the business?
If a VoIP provider understands your business, they can detect possible issues before they arise, saving both parties time and money. For instance, in a seasonal business, a high call volume around Christmas may cause time lag and call-quality issues. A reliable VoIP provider will preempt this situation, and prepare for it before it becomes an issue.
Are staff able to use the new systems?
As with any new software/hardware, staff will need to receive some training in the functional aspects of VoIP before it is implemented throughout the business. While some deployments are more complex than others, a typical VoIP system should be simple to grasp and designed to be user friendly, so the transition should be a smooth one.
Can you trust the provider?
Typically, when you make the transition to a hosted VoIP system, the only thing hosted on site are the handsets. On occasion you may wish to see whats happening behind the scenes, and a trustworthy supplier should allow you to so. If a supplier has made considerable investments in technology, they will be proud of their facilities.
Its also important to ensure that the provider isnt just a reseller of other providers services and that they have technical knowledge and resources to manage any eventuality, no matter how complex.
And finally…
A business should learn from any mistakes or successes made in the deployment process. If there are some obvious areas for improvement, then revise the plans for any work going forward. If youre deploying a a multi-site roll out then any refinements now will save time and money later. Also be sure to understand any implications of adding additional handsets or functionality further down the line.
Tips to Ensure a Smooth Migration to IP Telephony
There are a number of reasons which make VoIP telephony an appealing addition to any modern business, and those who have switched from a traditional telephone system will have done so with clear objectives in mind. If youre considering migrating to a VoIP service provider, consider the following questions to ensure a stress-free migration.
What do you want to achieve through switching to a VoIP service provider?
When making decisions on behalf of your business, its important to set some clear objectives. You must first understand the reasons driving the switch – perhaps you need to cut costs on lengthy international calls, modernise old equipment or improve your communications as a whole. Be clear on your goals, and always keep them in mind when reviewing service providers.
What VoIP package best suits the business?
When you have an understanding on the reasoning behind the switchover, seek out a provider that can help you to achieve those specific needs or requirements. Every business is unique, so shop around for a service that suits you.
While every business is unique, so is every VoIP provider, and many providers will be flexible with the services they offer and should be able to accommodate your specific needs. It pays to speak with prospective providers about your specific requirements to help inform your decision.
Does the provider understand the business?
If a VoIP provider understands your business, they can detect possible issues before they arise, saving both parties time and money. For instance, in a seasonal business, a high call volume around Christmas may cause time lag and call-quality issues. A reliable VoIP provider will preempt this situation, and prepare for it before it becomes an issue.
Are staff able to use the new systems?
As with any new software/hardware, staff will need to receive some training in the functional aspects of VoIP before it is implemented throughout the business. While some deployments are more complex than others, a typical VoIP system should be simple to grasp and designed to be user friendly, so the transition should be a smooth one.
Can you trust the provider?
Typically, when you make the transition to a hosted VoIP system, the only thing hosted on site are the handsets. On occasion you may wish to see whats happening behind the scenes, and a trustworthy supplier should allow you to so. If a supplier has made considerable investments in technology, they will be proud of their facilities.
Its also important to ensure that the provider isnt just a reseller of other providers services and that they have technical knowledge and resources to manage any eventuality, no matter how complex.
And finally…
A business should learn from any mistakes or successes made in the deployment process. If there are some obvious areas for improvement, then revise the plans for any work going forward. If youre deploying a a multi-site roll out then any refinements now will save time and money later. Also be sure to understand any implications of adding additional handsets or functionality further down the line.
What Are the Top Benefits of Cloud Computing?
There is a range of different benefits to cloud computing that businesses the world over are talking about already. The cloud offers savings in costs, flexibility and speed to market, however there are plenty of other benefits that aren’t so easily noticeable.
Such benefits are the ones that forward thinking businesses are thinking about and they will be integral to the long-term success of utilising the cloud for your business. Specifically these businesses are looking into how cloud computing will change the face of their operations and how they can utilise these changes to the maximum advantage.
The main characteristics of the cloud that these companies are looking to take advantage of are;
- Little to no capital investment – This may seem like the most basic benefit but it is also perhaps the most important. The cloud, by its very nature, reduces what was previously the massive cost of maintaining and integrating a range of different services. This should sound great right off the bat but what it also means is that smaller businesses that may not previously have had the resources to invest in such services are now able to run an integrated package of products without having to fork out for it.
- Variable Pricing – A range if companies will offer services over the cloud, as it enables them to host their products and provide them quickly and easily. This means that other companies will be able to take advantage of fully customised services that would otherwise have not been available to them, allowing for variable price rates.
- Rapid acquisition and deployment – Because the cloud allows for the use of software over a web connection, there is no need to spend an eternity manually installing what you use over a wide array of systems. Simply access the software via the cloud and deployment times are cut down to a fraction of what they once were.
- Infinitely scalable – The very nature of the cloud means that you are only limited by your own needs. With no physical limitations your services can be scalable dependant entirely on your needs, meaning you will always be ready and capable for expansion.
- Lower ongoing operating costs – This one ties into the lack of a need for capital investment, as maintenance costs will often be handled by whichever company is offering their service over the cloud, meaning that you don’t need to worry about the costs of operating a system that is hosted by somebody else. Instead, businesses are able to take advantage of services without having to worry about all of the additional costs.
Companies that offer their services across the cloud are able to integrate them seamlessly, meaning that they can offer other businesses applications that would otherwise have cost much in time and money to integrate.
Cloud solutions can offset costs and time constraints, with communications companies especially being able to offer VoIP services and the like over the cloud. So if a business is looking to expand in the near future, proper utilisation of services offered over the cloud will be instrumental in ensuring the future scalability of the business.
This is especially prevalent when it comes to VoIP communications services, as previously mentioned. The very nature of VoIP means that a service hosted by the telecoms company and offered over the net is the perfect match for many a client that would rather not have to invest in a full system for themselves. The cloud allows for such services to be offered, reducing costs for customers whilst also ensuring that they gain a top quality service. Additionally, as previously mentioned, no maintenance will be required for SIP Trunks or the telephone lines themselves as the VoIP service provider will work around the clock to ensure that the service remains usable.
The cloud is set to be the biggest revolution in the way businesses operate online in a number of years. Companies should be looking into how they can take advantage of it now, to ensure that they are ahead of the curve once it becomes the standard.