What should you look for in an enterprise VoIP solution?

Introduction

The trajectory and history of VoIP continue to evolve year after year. Business phone systems have become more intelligent, and developers are building new and more exciting solutions employing this technology. The market for VoIP Solutions, as per a recent report released by Industry Arc, is expected to reach US$26.8 billion by 2026 at a CAGR of 13.5% from an estimated US$ 0.125 Billion in 2020. Yes, the numbers are just as impressive as they sound and project a very lucrative future for VoIP solutions.

With all of the recent years’ technological advancements in VoIP and unified communications (UC), companies are starting to see that this solution is the desired choice for business communication and collaboration. With enterprise VoIP solutions, it's as clear as day why this technology has become so popular.

What is VoIP?

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a phone system that sends calls and messages over the internet, rather than through analog lines. VoIP systems connect directly to the internet and don’t require extra equipment like phones or modems. Businesses use hosted voice services to manage their phone systems, and also to facilitate collaboration, organization, and communication.

VoIP enterprise is now expanding beyond smartphones and computers, quickly starting to find its way into the internet of things (IoT). Electric scooters, refrigerators, smart speakers, and even TVs will likely all be equipped with reliable SIP trunk providers shortly.

The advantages of using VoIP enterprise solutions are numerous, but the following are some of the primary reasons why so many businesses have made the switch:

1. Low set-up cost

Enterprise VoIP solutions are one of the most cost-effective communication solutions at present. The cost of making calls using the VoIP system is very low when compared to other communication systems like PSTN and mobile phones. Besides, you can also make free calls from one computer to another over any distance, as long as an internet connection is available.

2. Improved collaboration between employees

Simplified hosted voice services allow users to set up a virtual office where their employees can collaborate from wherever they are, without having to be physically present on their office premises. Talk about truly embracing the remote work culture!

3. Reliable connectivity

Enterprise VoIP solutions are more reliable than traditional phone lines because they don't require additional wires or equipment to work properly. If there's an outage due to bad weather or other issues with the local telephone company, your business won't be affected because it will be connected through the internet instead.

4. Additional calling features

With Voice services in place, you can also add features such as voice mail, and "follow me" functionality, that forwards your calls to another number if you don't answer, caller ID blocking, and call-waiting without paying extra fees other than the cost of the feature itself.

5. Complete flexibility 

When you use traditional phone systems, you are limited to making calls from one location only. If you want to take calls while away from the office, you need a separate system that connects with this network somehow. However, with hosted voice services, you can access everything via one simple system. You can make calls from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection on your computer or smartphone device and get access to all of your contacts in no time at all.

6. Unified communication

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems integrate a variety of communication channels, including voice, video, instant messaging, and email, into a unified platform.

7. Complete mobility

With VoIP enterprise solutions, you can take your business with you wherever you go. A VoIP phone system is portable and can easily be moved to places without affecting the service quality or availability. 

This means that if you need to work from home or travel for business, you can still access all of your company information, call customers or colleagues and send messages securely from anywhere in the world using an internet connection

Choosing the right enterprise voice solution for your business

Switching to enterprise VoIP solutions is a smooth and efficient way to improve your business operations. There are a few key factors you should be aware of while making this decision though, such as your company needs, the size of the business, and how much you're willing to spend on the new system.

Needless to say, there are various things to consider when choosing a VoIP enterprise service for your business. Have a look: -

1. Cost

To start, look for a flat-rate pricing model — and make sure you understand what's included. Many SIP Trunk providers hide additional fees in their fine print, which can significantly increase your bill.

2. Reliability

Next, make sure you're working with a provider that has a solid infrastructure and can handle the demands of VoIP traffic. This is especially important if you run more than one office or have remote workers who need to connect with an on-premise phone system. In this case, you'll want to work with a provider that offers MPLS connectivity and/or hosted voice solutions.

3. Customer support

VoIP is not a one-size-fits-all solution, which makes good customer support essential when choosing a provider. It should be able to offer clear pricing guides, help you choose the right features for your business, and stay with you every step of the way.

4. Security

How secure is the enterprise voice service? Does it have end-to-end encryption, fraud protection, DDoS mitigation, and other security measures in place? Do they update their systems regularly to keep up with new threats? Don’t forget to ensure these when choosing a VoIP solution.

5. Ease of use

The beauty of a hosted enterprise voice solution is that it is easily managed from anywhere. From provisioning new devices to adding users and calling features, administrators can manipulate functionality as needed without having to go through lengthy processes with carriers or phone vendors. With a browser-based interface, your voice platform management should be effortless.

6. Call quality

One of the biggest benefits of enterprise Voice solutions is that it delivers superior call quality through features like automatic echo cancellation. Call quality is directly linked to the quality of your Internet connection, so if you have a low-quality DSL or a spotty mobile connection, VoIP will not work as well for you as it does for others.

7. Scalability

You should be looking for a solution that allows your business to scale as quickly or slowly as it needs to with minimal disruption. Choose a SIP trunk provider that can support both large and small businesses with equal efficiency and professionalism.
Related Read: Contact Centre as a Service (CCaaS) – what is it and how can it benefit your business?

Conclusion

We believe that with the right Enterprise Voice solution, your company can enjoy various benefits and save a significant amount of resources, time, and money. However, from what we've seen in our research, organizations, irrespective of their size, need to be sure that they work with a reliable partner. 

The telecommunication industry is full of new businesses, and fly-by-night entities hoping to make a quick buck, and hence, can only offer so much reliability. But if you take the time to do your due diligence, you'll be more likely to find a great, high-quality VoIP enterprise solution for your business. 

Related Read: Unified Communications as a Service: How UCaaS is driving the modern workforce

And if you do decide to go with Tata Communications hosted voice solutions, we're confident that we can offer you a high-quality solution that will work well for both your business and your customers.
Learn more about migrating to modern and sustainable voice solutions by clicking here.