Corporate VoIP: Useful or Useless?
Generally speaking, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is processing phone calls through the Web. VoIP service applications like Engin and Skype are a usual property for an average user nowadays. Thus clients save their purses and time. In fact, while business class and open source VoiP service is expanding, business telecommunications turn to a completely new stage. Telecommunications are nowadays not only limited to phone calls and have a perspective to become a powerful property in business.
Corporate (Business Class) VoIP
Business class VoIP is similar to a traditional PABX, but possesses a bulk of additional services which may assist your business. In case your PABX has a good performance, VoIP may become a plug-in. Optionally it can be applied as a replacement for an out-of-date PABX.
Is Voice over IP useful or useless for SMEs? We got information from Maria Padisetti, Digital Armour (www.digitalarmour.com.au) to make the matter clear.
1. What business types should review an option of passing to business class VoIP?
All SMEs which wish to make telecom expenses lower. Small companies are usually not able to use telecom discounts as opposite to large corporations. It's a chance to get on the one level with the leaders. It's also an advantage for the companies who have no means for conventional PABXs but need some benefits.
In case the company possesses mobile personnel, or if it wants to provide people with possibility to work distantly, VoIP makes it easier. No worries about paying heavy bills on telecommunications as the calls are less expensive. There is also an ability to considerably decrease landline bill prices. Commonly there's an ability to decrease the bills by 40 percent.
Some companies will benefit additionally from these services, as the exact and regular call statistics is provided.
2. How large the company should be to be able to make payments?
The record-small business where the business class VoIP was established involved 6 members only. The basic advantage they got is the properties of costly PABX for only a part of its price, thus providing them with a possibility to make plans about a bigger business.
The largest ROI we established was among the business involving about 25-50 employees. One customer freed himself of all PABX services and turned to VoIP technology. Paying a bill on about USD 9000 they will watch equipment and service price decreasing of USD 46000 in the next three years and communication prices will decrease by 20 percent. Thus the company allows it performance raise significantly.
VoIP technology is applicable to PCs that's why there is no necessity in expensive equipment. The customer is also freed of maintenance prices for this equipment. The majority of support needs can be provided distantly that's why the call out payments existing are insignificant, if any.
Businesses which will take no advantage are micro companies (2 members) which act in lots of places and process small amounts of calls.
3. What basic properties should a purchaser pay attention to?
For ultimate performance the necessary properties are:
remote client ability, possibility to deliver voicemail by email, voicemail processing and receiving, automatic receptionist to maintain reception alive, automatic call handing.
Optional properties which can also be ordered:
faxes delivery and sending, MS Outlook �Click to dial', instant messenger, incoming popup window with caller info, presence.
4. What basic name-brands would you recommend? Avaya and Cisco are two basic businesses which are basically serving to big corporations (www.avaya.com and www.cisco.com). Approximately USD 120000 is shared for 60 clients.
Zultys (www.zultys.com) arranges prices and services specially for SME sector. They are greatly respected in the industry. This service is the only one ‘Open Standard' in the sphere, thus providing you an opportunity to use the services without purchasing equipment. This system is cost effective and easy to use. It is highly friendly to clients.
Asterisk (www.asterisk.org) is the most inexpensive business class solution due to its "open source" origin. Thus you process no payments for the applications but pay the prices for equipment, installation and maintenance. It's also flexible and friendly to clients and gives the customer an opportunity to process daily operations without asking any consultations.
5. Are there any frauds?
Make sure all the PABX properties are included to the package when using the service. Some businesses ask payments for core system that is inexpensive as opposite to others, but the necessary properties are absent. Later they force you to pay for turning on other properties, thus trapping you into expenses and long-lasting agreements.
Be careful with free-of-charge IP PABX offers. They provide you with service free of charge and later trap you into long-lasting agreement we boosted rates. PABX commonly has a price of USD 5-10K so it's a doubtful case they offer it without fees.
6. How to install VoIP service?
Seek for 2-3 residential providers which are able to acquaint you with corresponding websites.
Surfing their official website, question the clients on their experience, especially about such cases as cutover (when a customer passes from one service to another) and post-installation maintenance.
Find the provider corresponding to your demands and ask him on acquirement, installation and post-installation maintenance. Ensure they really provide the properties necessary.
Installation process commonly takes from one day to a week. Beware of long-term installation deadlines.
7. What price is common for the system?
For Asterisk service you may receive a 10 client system which commonly costs not more than USD 10000. If the company already possesses IP devices or wants a PC service the price will be decreased significantly.
8. Any additional information?
Customers should not avoid VoIP service for the present time. It is now a relatively developed technology. Lots of leading corporations use VoIP service instead of conventional phones. For example, Amazon.com is served by Zultys. So reconsider your opinion on VoIP service.