VoIP: Fad or Friend?

VoIP (voice over internet protocol) is basically making telephone calls over the internet. ‘Personal’ VoIP tools such as Skype and Engin are common features on desktops these days.  They can save time and money.  However, with the emergence of commercial grade, open source VoIP, business telephony is moving to an entirely new level.  Telephony is no longer just about making telephone calls it can now become one of the most powerful systems in your business. 

Commercial Grade VoIP

Commercial grade VoIP looks like a typical PABX but with a lot more features that can make a difference to your business.  If your existing PABX is performing well then VoIP can be a simple add-on.  It can also be used to fully replace an aging PABX.

ROI Snapshot

Assumptions:  Business with 50 computer users across 2 or more geographic locations, and want to fully replace an existing, aging PABX.

Investment:
Hardware, Software & Implementation: $9,000
Timeframe: 2 weeks
Business disruption: Nil

Return:
System cost savings: $46,000 in service and equipment charges over 3 yrs
Call cost savings: 20%+ ($16,000 / yr)
Plus productivity increases

“We found that through consolidation of existing services we could realise sufficient savings to support a favourable ROI in moving to this new type of service delivery [VoIP].” Victor Davies, CFO, Bullivants (www.bullivants.com)

Benefits

There is a long list of potential benefits for your business.  Here are 4 of the most compelling.

1.    Reduced system costs: Commercial grade VoIP has traditionally only been cost effective for the big end of town.  Now there are some tried and tested solutions for medium businesses at a fraction of the cost. Solutions are also available that do away with expensive handsets and hardware.

2.    Reduced call costs: Calls are free between head office, branches and remote workers that are on the system. The cost of retrieving voicemail is dramatically reduced. Faxes can also be sent through the system at no additional cost. Using software that comes with this solution you can check availability of your staff at any time and avoid time wasting calls if they’re not available.

3.    Simplified operations: Our recommended VoIP solution enables your communication system to be integrated with your computer system. That opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Remote workers use one connection for both phone calls and accessing company documents and databases. They can call your head office for information and have it read automatically by the phone system. Automation capabilities mean reception no longer needs to chase people.  It’s easy to automatically route calls to other sites or remote workers anywhere in the world. 

4.    Better management reporting: You gain greater visibility of the availability and movements of remote staff. Time and resource management is enhanced.  Extensive management reports can be generated by the system giving you the management data required for sound decision making.
 
Risks 

VoIP can work alongside your existing phone system so from that perspective there are no risks. If project managed effectively cut-over from one system to the other is seamless.

Sound quality has traditionally been the weakness of VoIP but the technology has now progressed to the point that there is very little discernable difference between VoIP and landline. Users need to be on a business grade DSL internet connection.  It does work on dial-up but sound quality suffers.

As with any activity on the internet, security is a potential risk.  There are secure products that are highly effective when installed by experienced service providers.

Next Step

Call Maria Padisetti at Digital Armour on 02 9420 0961 for a ‘no obligation’ quote for integrating VoIP into your business and to arrange a demonstration.