Moving voice communications to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) isn’t just about saving money on long distance. Smart companies will make the transition because of a whole host of other reasons that include improved business communication, customer service, and increased employee productivity and
mobility.
The benefits of VoIP can reach all corners of a business, in areas that both CFOs and IT managers may not have ever considered. All these benefits demonstrate clear competitive advantage in and among themselves, so put them together and you have a very powerful business case to move your communications infrastructure to a VoIP model.
Here are the top 10 reasons:
1. One Network for Voice and Data: In the past, organizations have had to have separate network infrastructures for voice, data and internal communications. With the advent of VoIP, all of the communications traffic can be placed on a single infrastructure, which simplifies maintenance and cuts costs.
2. Reduce Trunk Lines: Renting truck lines from carriers isn’t small change for most organizations that rely on voice for both internal communications and customer interaction. Trunk line rental is a significant part of monthly overhead cost, so why not reduce this outlay wherever and whenever possible?
3. Long Distance Savings: While saving on long distance is no longer the primary driver for adopting VoIP, it can be a prime factor for organizations that have multiple offices requiring frequent voice communication, so not having to pay for that communication can reduce a large amount from an organization’s operational budget.
4. Seamless Teleworker Connectivity: VoIP makes it easy to integrate teleworkers into the business telephone system through their own broadband connections. In addition, your customers will be able to reach your teleworkers through your corporate switchboard, regardless of where the worker is physically located.
5. No Major Upgrades: Since VoIP is “”future proof,”” you won’t have to worry about another large capital equipment upgrade a few years down the road when your existing telecommunications equipment stops being supported by the supplier.
6. Instant Communication and Collaboration: VoIP improves productivity and the ability to collaborate remotely by creating direct links between teleworkers and office-based workers with the click of a mouse – a “”workplace without borders.””
7. Respond More Quickly to Customers: Companies can improve customer communication by providing them with VoIP telephones that allow them to contact your sales and service departments directly, toll-free.
8. Cut Move, Addition and Change Costs: Every time your company moves, adds, or changes a conventional telephone connection, it costs money. With VoIP, your network configuration is software programmable and its voice signals are carried over your business LAN so you can administer the changes yourself.
9. Reduce Deployment Costs: VoIP reduces the total cost of deploying a business telephone system. With a conventional system, you have to deploy Cat 3 cable for voice to each desktop, as well as Cat 5 cable for data. With VoIP, you need only deploy the Cat 5, thus saving time, money and materials.
10. Take Control: Ultimately, you gain more control over your telecommunications infrastructure, relying less on large incumbent telcos for your communications needs.The benefits of a VoIP communications model are numerous and go beyond simple costs savings; it also leads to improved productivity and customer relationships which in turn translate into a better bottom line and a healthier, more competitive business.
Ed Lavin is a pioneer in the telecommunications industry, He began his career at the L. M. Erickson Company of Sweden in 1973. Today, he is the CEO of Delphi Solutions Corp., a company he originally founded at CTG.
