VoIP Phone Systems: The Good, the Bad

A virtual phone system is one of the most attractive ways to upgrade your telecoms strategy today, offering the freedom and flexibility of the internet for your employees. However, just like any business strategy, it has its pros and cons.

So, let’s take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly of VoIP phone systems for SMBs.

VoIP Phone Systems: The Good

Often, the main reasons that companies switch to a hosted phone system is to cut costs. If you’re currently using a PSTN network and connecting with people around the world, you might be spending a lot of money. However, VoIP minimises costs by making use of your IP connection.

Benefits of VoIP Phone Systems in Small Business

Greater scale – On a standard phone line, only two people can speak at any given time. VoIP gives you the power to communicate with an entire team at once through conference calls sent over the internet.

Cheaper set-up – With VoIP, you can invest in a lot less hardware and software for your team. All you need is a computer, internet connection, speakers and microphone. You can choose to purchase desk phones if you want to, but the investment is entirely up to you.

Plenty of features – VoIP provides access to endless useful features, all the way from voicemail to call queuing and even recording. You can essentially build the communications strategy you need with the right VoIP services provider.

Mobility – The convenience and rich features provided by a VoIP telephone system is something that your employees can take with them wherever they go. Your business number won’t be linked to a specific location, which means that your staff can continue to tap into the tools they need every day, whether they’re working from an office, on-the-go, or they’re logging in at home.

VoIP has grown increasingly popular in recent years, particularly as the end of PSTN phone lines draws closer.

What’s more, with support from a company like RingCentral, your VoIP system can go far beyond just voice. You’ll be able to enjoy the flexibility of sending video, images, and text over the internet to aid in your communication and collaboration strategies.

VoIP Phone Systems: The Bad

Often, the main issue that companies face when they consider switching to VoIP is that it can be difficult to convince employees to switch.

Some people simply don’t like change, and you may need to invest in some new training to help drive adoption. This can lead to disruption while your organisation gets used to its new phone strategy.

The VoIP Systems Limitations and How to Overcome Them

Dependency on bandwidth – You need a strong internet connection for VoIP to be effective. Otherwise, you won’t be able to achieve the right voice quality or maintain your calls.

Security – Unless your service provider can protect you with the right encryption solutions, security can be a concern. Common problems with VoIP include denial of service, call tampering, and phishing attacks.

Reliability – the quality of your conversations can depend on the quality of your internet connection, as well as the technology that’s available from your provider. If you’re located in an area without good broadband connectivity, then you may find it difficult to maintain a reliable quality of service.

Importantly, many of the downsides associated with VoIP are issues that can be addressed simply by choosing the right provider to work with.

RingCentral can deliver exceptional quality of service, failover solutions and security support to keep your system running smoothly year after year.