Computerware Blog

Getting rid of unnecessary expenses is one of the best ways for businesses to save money. While it’s often unavoidable that you have to invest in solutions that serve a singular purpose, it’s more cost-effective to find solutions that have variable functions or that make life easier. One of the best ways to save money for your business is by performing a revamp of your telephone system.

Do you have a traditional telephone system in your office? A voice communication tool, like Voice over Internet Protocol, is much easier and more efficient to handle in the long run than a traditional system. We’ll discuss three ways in which VoIP improves the way your business runs.

Cost Savings
One of the most immediate ways that VoIP helps your business is by eliminating all other telephone bills. Since VoIP is using the Internet, which you already pay for, you save money by eliminating a large, unnecessary cost with traditional telephone service. In the long run, you’ll continue to save money every month that you don’t have a traditional telephone system.

VoIP doesn’t necessarily require specialized hardware either, so it’s not like you’ll be paying an arm and a leg to make the switch. In fact, many VoIP solutions can work through the cloud, or via an app that can be installed on your own smartphone, and in some cases, you might not need to replace your existing equipment at all.

Collaborate and Record in Real Time
Cooperation between departments and documentation of important meetings are important for any business, and VoIP makes it easier to accomplish both. Through your VoIP solution, meetings can be held in real time and can be recorded so you don’t have to worry about missing any key details. VoIP allows your staff to transcend the barriers of the workplace, since any employee with an Internet connection can access your company’s phone system anytime, anywhere.

Great Convenience
VoIP is capable of being run on a multitude of devices, depending on the specific needs of your business. This includes softphones for desktops or laptops, mobile apps for smartphones and even the traditional handsets that you might currently find in your office. Furthermore, you can use a combination of these technologies to maximize your availability, both in and out of the office. Since a single number can be set to ring multiple devices, you don’t have to carry around multiple devices so that you can be reached outside of the office. Furthermore, these devices can be configured to forward a call based on the time of day. This way, you won’t have to worry about receiving calls while you’re home - that is, unless you want to.

VoIP is a great way to get the most out of your phone system, especially when you consider the cost benefits of doing so. To learn more about VoIP, reach out to us at (703) 821-8200.

One of the primary concerns for organizations that have remote workers is the need to control and centralize communication solutions. While this isn’t a problem for a worker that’s in the office and hooked up to the company phone system, the remote worker doesn’t have this luxury. So, how can employees who work out of the office some or all of the time keep up with the rest of your workforce?

One of the easiest solutions to this dilemma is a VoIP system that uses softphones installed onto a device in the form of an application or software solution. This lets them stay in contact with the rest of your employees, without having to be on-site and connected to your in-house phone system. Therefore, a remote worker equipped with this VoIP solution can remain productive and collaborative even while out of the office.

In simpler terms, a softphone is a phone that works as software on your computer or mobile device. It works through either the traditional telephone line or via a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) connection, which transmits your voice across an Internet to the desired party. Unlike some exclusive VoIP-based phones, the softphone works without the physical device, which makes it more of a computing solution rather than a hardware solution. Softphones come with a digital number pad which looks like the dialer on a smartphone, and softphones allow for various features such as conference calling, call transfer, voicemail, and more.

Long story short: It makes more sense to use softphones for your remote workers, as it allows them to communicate with a headset or a mobile device, rather than a full-fledged handset.

As the business owner, it’s up to you to make smart choices about your IT budget before implementing any major change to your current setup. This includes your phone system. With a reliable VoIP solution, you can take advantage of all the benefits of a traditional phone system, without the need for all of the time-consuming and expensive infrastructure overhauls. By going with VoIP, you effectively avoid running new phone lines and revamping your office space to accommodate new onboards, and with a softphone, all you have to do is set up an account and configure a worker’s device. A good VoIP solution allows you to take advantage of traditional handsets that you’re used to, while allowing you to make or receive calls on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.

Softphones have a definitive edge in mobility, one which traditional phone systems can’t come close to replicating. A worker can install a softphone client on their mobile device and use an Internet connection to make or receive calls. It really is that simple.

As a bonus, VoIP systems also tend to be more affordable for businesses, as they don’t require an immense setup process and hardware purchases. Without the need for specialized equipment, a softphone can effectively use your employees’ preferred device to achieve similar results. Of course, the price will still vary by the plan, the number of users, and the number of devices, but you will gain greater flexibility in the long run.

Due to the remote worker needing a quick and easy way to stay in touch with your office, a softphone mobile client may be the best fit. Of course, every employee works differently and may prefer a different type of solution. Perhaps they would prefer a laptop with a headset, or maybe they have a desktop set up in their home office. Either way, a softphone offers a quick and easy solution.

If you’re considering VoIP, then you’ll want a trusted IT advisor to lay out your options before going all-in on an investment. To get started with a softphone solution that fits your needs, reach out to Computerware at (703) 821-8200.

There’s no questioning that smartphones have done wonders for the world of business. Yet, some workers aren’t willing to adopt smartphones, and prefer their unbreakable nostalgia-filled flip phones.