Business VoIP is VoIP service used in the workplace, as compared to residential VoIP, which is VoIP service for the home. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that turns your Internet connection into a phone line. By simply having an IP phone or phone application on your computer, you can start making and receiving calls. Basically, once setup, it’s just like a traditional phone. Dial anyone, anywhere.
Business VoIP services are the commercial grade of telecommunications for any size business. VoIP solutions allow you to make and receive phone calls using your existing high-speed internet connection rather than traditional landlines. Making the switch to VoIP for your telephone needs will save you an enormous amount of money, while offering you highly advanced calling features and an HD crystal clear calling experience.
With the huge amount of calls being made by businesses today, you need a reliable business phone system that is cost-effective and fits perfectly with your business model. With VoIP services being used by major companies across the globe it opens the doors to economical and more productive ways to have meetings and conversations that cost much less, while delivering a high quality means of communications.
Hosted VoIP is the best option because you don’t have to deal with any setup or management of the system. The services will generally offer everything a normal phone would, such as voicemail, conferencing, hold, transfers and more. Business VoIP is more than just a business-grade phone service. Business VoIP entails the use of private branch exchange (PBX (News - Alert)) hardware, faxing capabilities and increased call management to streamline the call
Changing from a traditional phone service for your business to a VoIP phone service can be a great way to not only save your business money, but also to better track calls and monitor call-heavy departments such as customer service. A business VoIP provider will cater to business needs and focus on features and services that will have the greatest impact on companies and small businesses that are serious about VoIP and improving their business and bottom line.
Business VoIP services are commercial-class versions of residential VoIP services that provide small and medium-sized businesses with advanced features and functionality such as PBX capabilities, conference calling, desk-to-desk calling, music on hold and automated attendants.
The difference between residential VoIP and business VoIP is that a residential VoIP service will offer a flat rate pricing structure but will usually limit your ability to conduct more than one call at a time. Most business VoIP and enterprise VoIP providers offer tiered usage plans and support multiple simultaneous calls.
One feature a business VoIP provider offers that a traditional phone system does not is to call another connected business location via phone extension dialing rather than dialing the direct phone number to that office location. The benefit of making a phone call by just dialing an extension that the VoIP call is free. VoIP services are very cost-effective, saving businesses money while at the same time providing quality phone services.
PBX is the system of telephones within one office or other institutions. Many businesses are ditching their PBX in favor of IP PBX. It can be a substantial initial investment, but it nearly always pays for itself within about five years because of both the cost savings and increased productivity and sales that come with technology that simply isn’t possible with older phones. The concept of bringing together all of your different methods of communication (e-mail, chat, Facebook (News - Alert), phone, video, etc.) together is called Unified Communications and Collaboration, or UCC. By having your phone service over the Internet, you are able to connect all of those technologies together. One popular VoIP provider, for example, has a feature that will do a Google (News - Alert) search when your phone rings of the person calling you. As a business VoIP subscriber, you will always have information at your fingertips.
Hosted PBX just means that your business VoIP provider updates and administers your main phone system at their location, rather than your business location. This option is usually better for small business VoIP because the small business doesn’t have to worry about hiring someone on to maintain and manage the VoIP phone system.
If you opt out of hosted PBX then your business will be managing the VoIP phone system after the original installations. There is also the option of installing your own VoIP system, which eliminates the need for a business VoIP provider, just make sure you know all the ins and outs so you don’t sacrifice phone call quality for lower costs. The way technology goes, you will need to continue to upgrade and maintain your VoIP phone system. When you have hosted PBX, you pay a business VoIP provider to do everything they specialize in, making your VoIP phone services top-notch.
Edited by Rachel Ramsey