The advantages of VoIP Calling apps over traditional phone systems are extensive. Virtually every business can greatly benefit from implementing this sophisticated communication technology. That’s why we’ve compiled some of the most important VoIP benefits into this clear, concise, and easy-to-use list.
Enjoy! Be sure to check out PanTerra’s Business VoIP Calling App review
What is VoIP? How is it different from Cloud PBX?
Before we begin, let’s be clear about something very important. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is also referred to as Hosted VoIP, Business VoIP, Cloud PBX, and many other terms with similar meanings.
For example, at PanTerra we refer to our Internet communications offerings as Cloud PBX, but we provide almost the same features and functionality (with the same benefits) as what others refer to as VoIP or Business VoIP.
To avoid further confusion, we’ll refer to all of these offerings as “VoIP calling apps” in this article. Now that we have that cleared up, let’s get to the good stuff!
10 VoIP Calling Apps Benefits Your Business Can’t Ignore
1. Lower costs
Saving costs is one of the advantages of VoIP callings apps, which is appreciated by practically every company. You can only install so many phone lines and the costs add up quickly, especially if your business regularly makes long-distance calls.
With communication data that is modified into data packets and sent over an IP network, the problem of a single telephone line that could only be used by two callers is eliminated. An IP network can be a direct IP connection to your telephone service provider or simply your existing Internet connection (or a combination of both).
Traditional phone lines usually charge per minute of talk, while with VoIP your only cost is your monthly fees from your ISP. Many providers offer cheap or even free calls to the neighbouring United States, for example.
Cost-effective hardware and software
One of the additional cost advantages of the VoIP calling app is the limited costs associated with the hardware and software required to operate the system. Quality providers ensure that their clients always have the most up-to-date software and provide up-to-date hardware. This eliminates the need for businesses to purchase their own phoned infrastructure, which can lead to further cost savings.
2. Simplified conferences
Without the need for dedicated phone lines, conferencing is greatly simplified. Traditional phone systems allow for conferencing, but each time you need a conference call, you end up paying for additional service and hosting more callers.
With a converged data network, these features are usually native, and the cost is included in the already lower price of the VoIP service you’re already paying for.
More than just voice calls
Another benefit of VoIP is that it also greatly simplifies video conferencing. In You transfer different media formats (images, video, text) during phone or video calls to greatly enhance your ability to make presentations or solve problems on the fly.
3. Global access
More and more employers are discovering the benefits of having their employees work from home in exchange for smaller office space, lower energy costs, etc.
They are also discovering the benefits of VoIP that allow their employees to work remotely so effectively. VoIP calling app allows employees to use your office’s voice, fax and data services remotely through your intranet.
VoIP technology has become extremely portable, allowing users to connect from home and abroad. What’s more, your employee’s number follows them to their new home office when they make the change.
Mobility of your service
While working remotely is one thing, one of the lesser-mentioned benefits of VoIP is that the entire service is highly mobile. While traditional phone systems require assigning a unique number to each line and transferring those numbers can be complicated, VoIP is different. In case you outgrow your current office or need to change location for any reason, your VoIP system can be easily transferred.
4. Better use of bandwidth
One of the little-known benefits of VoIP is that it makes more efficient use of your existing bandwidth. Since about half of voice conversations are silent, VoIP continues to fill these information gaps with other data from other bandwidth consumers to make better use of your resources. What’s more, VoIP calling apps allows compression and elimination of speech redundancy to further improve efficiency.
5. Extensive additional functions
Many businesses do not fully understand all the benefits and other features that come with a VoIP service. VoIP systems allow you to connect a wide variety of devices to keep your business productive at a high level.
VoIP services typically include features such as caller ID, virtual numbers, contact lists, voicemail, etc., but all of these features can be used in more sophisticated ways to increase operational efficiency. For example, voicemails and messages can be forwarded to multiple colleagues with one click, and voicemail-to-text transcripts can be sent directly to your inbox, so they can be checked on the go.
Many features are included in the packages of different providers, and due to the flexible nature of the service, custom VoIP services can be designed based on the unique needs of your business.
6. Network flexibility
One of the advantages of VoIP that your IT team will enjoy is that its core network does not need to be part of a specific technology setup. This means that your existing Ethernet, SONET, ATM or even your WiFi can be used as the foundation of your network.
The complexity of (traditional) PSTN telephone networks is practically eliminated. This allows for the implementation of a more standardized system that supports different types of communication while being more fault-tolerant and requiring less device management.
7. Fax over IP
One of the other benefits of VoIP is that most providers include Fax over IP as part of their service. Fax over IP eliminates the high cost of remote faxing and also improves device compatibility and service reliability.
Fax information is again transmitted via data packets, which greatly increases efficiency. In fact, VoIP doesn’t even require a fax machine to send or receive a fax.
8. More effective communication
When your employees work from different locations in the office, at home or around the world, it is important that they are within reach. One of the more interesting benefits of VoIP is that you can only have your desk phone ring for the first few rings and then your cell phone, tablet or laptop if you don’t answer the call. In this way, urgent calls are answered more often and you spend less time checking your voicemail or correspondence on other platforms.
9. Highly reliable
One of the most common (and inaccurate) objections to VoIP is that if a business is without internet for any reason, it will be without a phone. One advantage of the flexibility of VoIP is that if the office phone goes down due to a lack of network, calls can always be redirected to mobile phones and other devices. It also means that weather issues and power outages are no longer as much of a risk as before.
10. Easy to install, configure, and maintain
One of our favourite benefits of VoIP calling apps is that IP phones are incredibly easy to install – even for the less tech-savvy. There is no need for professional technicians to carry out telephone wiring in your office. Instead, IP phones are virtually plug-and-play.
Hosted VoIP software also makes it incredibly easy to add new users, and the web portal makes moving, adding or reconfiguring your system much easier. All this simply means that maintenance is straightforward and rarely requires professional support.
Next steps
As you can see from the list above, the benefits of VoIP calling apps are many. What’s more, VoIP is virtual without drawbacks. Sophisticated businesses around the world are leveraging this powerful technology and realizing the serious competitive advantages it provides.
If you’re ready to explore more of what VoIP calling apps can do for your business, don’t miss out on our powerful Moon Dialer- A VOIP Calling App offering. Even better, you can try it for FREE today!