VoIP, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol, is now one of the most affordable and best ways to provide your organization with an effective and efficient phone system. Those who employ Business VoIP enjoy many of the same features and flexibility that go along with your conventional telephone service. However, if you already have a high-speed Internet service at your workplace, then you’re halfway there toward integrating VoIP with your computer systems. SIP trunks provide a means for connecting your phone system to your network, so that users can make Internet calls from their personal computers. Hosted PBX services provide your employees with an extension of your business VoIP service so that you can take full advantage of all that VoIP has to offer.
While Hosted PBX systems give you the ability to use VoIP along with your existing phone system, they can also be used in place of traditional telephony extensions. As opposed to having to install new IP telephony equipment, using VoIP through SIP trunks gives you all the functionality and features of traditional analog voice communications without having to modify or replace your existing equipment. And since most hosted VoIP systems use the Internet to communicate with your customers, you can even place VoIP calls from your cell phone if it has a SIP trunking capability.
When you first look into using voip phone service over an existing premise wiring system, you may think that it will be impossible to integrate VoIP with your existing lines. After all, just because you have an IP telephone system doesn’t mean that you can freely connect it to the Internet. In fact, the SIP portion of your telephone system can be used to communicate with your hosted voip phone service and vice versa.
With some hosted PBX providers, this is accomplished by using a feature called SIP trunking.
SIP trunks are connections between your IP-based telephone number and your hosted VoIP calls. The hosted VoIP calls are then sent to the SIP trunks that will handle the inbound calls. This type of connection is much simpler than the regular phone system, but there are a few considerations that you need to be aware of before switching to using VOIP with your pbx system.
Make sure that the hosted PBX provider that you select offers voip services with a variety of calling plans. Remember, not all businesses will be using the same kinds of calling plans. You don’t want to get locked into a plan that does not meet your current needs. Also, it’s always a good idea to check the provider provides unlimited calling plans so that you do not need to upgrade your existing system. That way, you won’t have any extra expenses added on to your already high costs.
Check with your local telephone company to see if there are any special internet connection requirements that you must meet before switching to VoIP. Some areas may be able to take advantage of high-speed internet connections, but there may be other requirements that will hinder your ability to use VoIP. Check with your local phone company to find out if any internet requirements will prevent you from using VoIP with your old telephone lines.
Consider getting a VoIP web portal for your business.
A web portal is a modern phone system that will allow customers to make appointments, check the availability of service, and more without having to go into a PBX or office building. A web portal is generally easy to install, easy to use, and provides customers with an online tool for tracking their calls. Many businesses are now taking advantage of this modern convenience. Check with your local DAS telecom provider to see if your current system offers any web portal programming and services.
- As you can see, there are many options for improving your current calling system.
- Many people are switching to VOIP because they allow them to make unlimited long distance calls as well as international calls under one account.
- Check with your local DAS telecom to see what options you have available to you.