VoIP for Business: The extremely valuable VoIP, or voice over Internet Protocol, had its humble beginning around 1995 by a company named VicalTec. It was initially meant as a tool to save money on long distance telephone calls, made through costly analogue networks, by making use of an internet phone.
 An internet phone, allowed users to speak with each other through speakers and a sound card, provided they used a computer equipped with the same software. In spite of vexing issues like poor audio quality and connectivity, the technology came as a boon to enhance business communications.
Today, in a rapidly transforming communication environment, this facility has evolved much beyond just making voice calls by providing easy access to video content and crucial data sharing.
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Basic definition of VoIP
Simply put, VoIP changes the conventional electrical voice signal into a digital signal to enable it to travel through the internet. It works by transmitting the network addresses and voice signals, of both the caller and receiver, into data packets for transmission over the Internet Protocol network.
Arguments in favour of VoIP
- Ease
One of the biggest advantages of using Business VoIP Services over the traditional telephone line is that it offers businesses the ease of integrating their phone and data under their existing network.
- No landline
The VoIP system, today, hooks up the telephone to an internet connection, thereby allowing users to dial any telephone number. As a result, VoIP has managed to eliminate the need of the traditional analogue line and has become second nature for business today.
- Affordability
Large business companies need to make international calls on a regular basis, which can eat up a sizable chunk of the company’s budget, when using normal telephone communication channels. On the other hand, VoIP calls are mostly free, or very low-priced depending on your VoIP service provider.
- Connectivity
With the rise of remote working, good connectivity is critical for the business to succeed. VoIP has made it easy for remote workers to stay connected, which has increased productivity and reduced the overall costs.
- Call routing
This is another important feature which cannot be found in a traditional phone.When call routing is enabled, the incoming call can be shared with several different numbers, before going to your voicemail account.This will ensure that the business numbers will always remain reachable, even in the event of a crisis.
- Call monitoring
With VoIP, it has become extremely easy to monitor telephone calls. Businesses can monitor both outbound and inbound calls in order to check how the employee is managing to handle the calls.
Improved customer service
The end goal of any business is customer satisfaction. All businesses strive with each other to produce a product or service which will be beneficial for the customer.This is the reason why successful companies are adopting the latest VoIP technological resources for superior client interaction.
- Future expansion
If a company has a fair idea of future growth, it can adjust the budget to avoid a major telephone installation exercise by investing in VoIP instead.The plug-in and plug-play facility provided by VoIP is perfect for increasing the telephone lines in an office by scaling the number of handsets very inexpensively.
The potential drawbacks
VoIP, no doubt, has lots of advantages for business, but it is not the perfect solution, Afterall, every technology has its limitations and the same holds true for VoIP. This is why:
- Internet dependent
VoIP connectivity, as compared to traditional telephone lines, is totally dependent on the internet and the strength of the broadband connection. While no internet equates to no VoIP, poor connection can also affect the call quality.
- Security
Since internet transmission takes place over a public network, there is a possibility of data being breached, including voice data over VoIP calls.
- Location detection
In an emergency, your telephone number is typically used to identify your location. If the actual location does not match with your phone, responders may find it difficult to reach you when in need.