Overhauling an office phone system is often a necessary part of growing, improving and updating an organization’s technology. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a common upgrade that offers a variety of options to fit a business’ needs, whether it has a small, medium or large employee base.
Each VoIP system can be custom built to fit the specific requirements of a company, says Alex Desberg, sales and marketing director of Ohio.net. A specific VoIP product is chosen based on the company’s specific needs, and its implementation is ramped up in a way that’s manageable.
“When you’re talking about your phone system, it can be pretty painful when you don’t know what to expect,” Desberg says. This is why companies have the option of switching everything over at once, or taking a step-by-step approach when switching to VoIP.
Smart Business spoke with Desberg to examine the ways companies can integrate VoIP.
When converting to VoIP, is there one best way to transition or are there options?
Each VoIP-based phone system is meant to work uniquely. Some companies don’t know what’s available out there, and really aren’t ready to jump in with both feet to a brand new phone system and service provider. If a company knows that over the next few years they’re going to grow, they’re going to change, or they’re going to move, then there are specific opportunities that arise.
When does it make sense to use a step-by-step approach?
Unlike traditional telephone service, a step-by-step approach can be used as opposed to transitioning everything when improving communications using VoIP. In many situations, dial tone from traditional telephone providers can be duplicated and moved to the VoIP realm. It’s then offered back in a cost-effective way.
If a company is planning to move to a new facility it is a great opportunity to start down the path of new technology. The organization can take the phone numbers that it currently has and move them to VoIP services. Then in the new location, deploy what looks like traditional phones. When the company is ready, it can retire its old phone system and slowly step completely into VoIP. It eases the process for the company and its employees.
Remote workers or remote offices that are using separate phone systems raise more opportunity to investigate VoIP options. Those multiple environments can be brought together so that they look and operate like a single phone service. It can be a mix-and-match environment, offices and workers can be spread out across the country, deploy individual phones and systems for them while the main office is still working off of the traditional phone configuration.
In what circumstances is it better to switch all at once?
When a company is growing, often its phone system is something that’s an afterthought. Either the current phone system can’t handle more employees, the voicemail is always full or the technology is in need of updating. A good option at that point is to move to a platform that doesn’t have those limitations. Hosted VoIP, where all services and all phones are provided, has basically unlimited growth potential. So there is a great opportunity for a company to avoid continuously reinvesting in old technology.
How can a company determine what’s best for its situation?
The best and most important part of the process is planning. It’s based on what a company needs going forward. Not only is the company preparing for new hardware, but also new expectations on the IT staff and the network itself. It’s important to make sure that the VoIP provider offers training as part of its service. And financially, a company has to make sure that it is a good way to go and a good investment. ●
Alex Desberg is sales and marketing director at Ohio.net. Reach him at [email protected].
Insights Telecommunications is brought to you by Ohio.net
