With the upcoming switch-off of ISDN networks in the UK by the end of 2025, businesses are getting prepared and switching to other solutions. This isn’t just because of the switch-off, there’s also a world of benefits to modern telephony solutions that are more feature-rich, cost-effective, and flexible compared to ISDN.
One of them is VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. In this piece we give you an introduction to VoIP and the range of benefits it could bring to your business.
Introduction to VoIP and Its Features
VoIP is a modern technology that transmits voice calls over the internet instead of through traditional phone lines. Unlike ISDN, VoIP doesn’t require physical infrastructure like copper wires. Instead, it leverages your existing internet connection to make and receive calls.
That’s not all, many VoIP solutions are cloud-based (others are offered using on-premise PBX phone systems) and can be managed and operated using software, making it much easier to configure and scale for your business.
The core features of most VoIP solutions include:
Flexibility
• Geographic Flexibility: VoIP allows users to make and receive calls from anywhere, provided there’s an internet connection. This is particularly beneficial for remote workers or businesses with multiple locations.
• Device Versatility: Users aren’t limited to traditional desk phones. VoIP works on a variety of devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and VoIP-enabled desk phones.
• Personalised User Experience: Each user can have their settings, such as tailorable call forwarding options and ring rules, irrespective of physical location.
Scalability
• Easy Line Management: Adding or removing users and adjusting services can be done with a few clicks. This makes it easy to scale your telephony with the growth of your business and even downsize it without making infrastructure changes.
• Cost-Effective Expansion: VoIP eliminates the need for physical wiring for new lines and oftentimes hardware costs, reducing the costs and disruptions typically associated with scaling a traditional phone system.
Advanced Features
• Call Forwarding and Routing: Calls can be automatically redirected to other numbers or devices based on predefined rules, ensuring no call goes unanswered.
• Voicemail to Email: Voicemails can be converted to text and sent to email, allowing your staff to read messages conveniently and maintain interaction records.
• Video Conferencing: Many VoIP solutions enable video conferencing capabilities that facilitate face-to-face meetings with clients or team members.
• Interactive Voice Response (IVR): VoIP also offers IVR which enables callers to interact with a menu, choose options, and get to the right people.
Integration
• CRM Integration: VoIP systems can integrate with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, enabling features like click-to-call and call logging directly within the CRM platform.
• Unified Communications: Integration with email, instant messaging, and other communication tools allows for a unified communications approach, streamlining interactions, and enhancing collaboration.
• APIs for Custom Integration: Many VoIP providers offer APIs that allow businesses to custom integrate their telephony with various business applications, tailoring the system to their specific operational workflows.
Additional Features:
• Call Recording: For training and quality assurance purposes, calls can be recorded and stored.
• Analytics and Reporting: Detailed call analytics can help you to understand call patterns, peak times, and other insightful metrics.
• Number Portability: Businesses are also able to retain their existing phone numbers when switching to a VoIP system, ensuring continuity.
Types of VoIP Solutions
VoIP solutions come in various forms, each catering to different business needs:
• Hosted VoIP: A cloud-based solution that is managed off-site, which is ideal for businesses that prefer not to deeply handle hardware and technical maintenance.
• On-Premises VoIP: Offers more control over the system but it does require in-house management.
• Hybrid VoIP: Combines elements of both hosted and on-premises solutions.
The Benefits of VoIP for Businesses
Shifting to VoIP offers a myriad of benefits for businesses in terms of cost, scalability, and functionality:
• VoIP calls, especially international ones, are significantly cheaper than traditional phone systems.
• Since VoIP uses your existing internet connection, there’s less need for extensive infrastructure.
• VoIP allows employees to connect to the office phone system from anywhere, facilitating remote working.
• As your business grows, VoIP can easily scale up or down to meet your needs.
• Access features like auto-attendants, call queues, and conference calling.
• VoIP can be integrated with email, CRM, and other business applications for streamlined operations.
• With a good internet connection, VoIP offers superior call quality.
• Modern VoIP systems are reliable, with measures in place to handle outages.
• In the event of an outage, calls can be redirected to mobile phones or other locations, ensuring business continuity.
Final Thoughts
The transition from ISDN to VoIP represents more than just a technological upgrade; it’s a strategic move that positions businesses for future growth and adaptability. With its cost savings, enhanced features, and flexibility, VoIP is not just an alternative to ISDN but a significant upgrade.
As we bid farewell to ISDN, it’s time for businesses to embrace the opportunities that VoIP brings. Curious to discover the opportunities and benefits that VoIP can uniquely bring to your business? Get in touch with us today for a no-obligation insights session, and we will be glad to help you and answer any questions you may have.
Solution Consultants – Managed IT that Supports the Success of Reading’s Businesses
Based in Reading, Solution Consultants provides IT Support, Telecoms, and Cloud solutions for SMEs across Berkshire and the Thames Valley. We get to know your business, its challenges and goals, and deploy scalable and agile technology solutions that make a real difference.
We specialise in simplifying IT, making valuable technology more accessible than ever before. We believe technology has the power to transform your business and open access to new markets. Need a hand with a tech challenge, or getting the best from your tech more broadly? Get in touch with us today. We’ll be glad to meet with you, listen, and provide actionable insights and guidance that move you forward.
