VOIP is an acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol, but it is popularly known as phone service over the internet. With VOIP, you can make phone calls from a computer, tablet, smartphones or any other mobile device as long as you’ve got a quality internet connection. This technology is beneficial to both individuals and businesses as it includes additional features not typically found on standard phone services. Such features include call recording, custom caller ID, or voicemail to email. Organizations also use it as a way to unify communications.
How It Works
To put it simply, VOIP enabled phone calls by converting audio signals to digital data. The data is then transmitted via internet connection (ethernet or Wi-Fi) and then converted back to audio once it reaches the recipient. For this to be possible, VOIP will use codecs (hardware- or software-based processes that compresses and decompresses large amounts of VoIP data).
Advantages of Using VOIP
Using VOIP over the traditional phone systems has plenty of advantages, especially for businesses. This is why more and more organizations and companies are making the move to VOIP. Here are some of those benefits.
Lower Costs
Many businesses are all about the bottom line, and it only makes sense going for an option that cuts the overall expenses. VOIP slashes the cost of communication significantly. For example, the estimated cost of a landline phone system to businesses is $50 per month. VOIP, on the other hand, can cost you as low as $20. That’s right, using VOIP, you can reduce your phone bill by over fifty per cent.
Better Accessibility & Convenience
With cloud-based VOIP, you can make calls from anywhere at any time. As long as you have a reliable internet connection, your customers can call you from any part of the world, and the best part is when you’re unable to answer the call, you can direct calls to another person or get voicemails emailed to you. In addition, VOIP makes it easier for mobile employees to remain productive regardless of their location. This is increasingly becoming convenient with remote working being the new norm.
Better Features
VOIP has a wide range of advanced features that make communication that much easier. For example, you can direct calls to another person or have voicemails sent directly to your email when you can’t answer a call. You also have the option to block the people whom you don’t want to receive calls from
Choosing A VOIP Provider in San Antonio
There are plenty of VOIP providers in the market, and each one of them has something unique about them. Examples of the top companies include Verizon, Nextiva, RingCentral, Grasshopper, Vonage, and so many more. With so many providers, finding the ideal VOIP services San Antonio is always going to be a complicated task. You don’t know which company’s services would fit in with your needs, and the task isn’t made any easier if you are doing it for the first time. Below are a few factors to consider when choosing a VOIP Provider.
Pricing & Plans
For businesses, cost is the most important factor. Different companies provide their VOIP services at different costs. Some companies even have a variety of packages that include various features at different price levels. If you are a business looking for VOIP services, you will always want to go for the one costing the least. This, however, isn’t a great idea because the lowest-priced plans don’t include many features.
For example, Grasshopper has a package beginning at $26, but you won’t be able to transcribe voicemail messages, and the system won’t automatically record every call for posterity. So, how do you know which one’s right for you? The best thing to do is not focus on cost but instead look for the features you need.
Third-Party Integration
Another thing you should be having at the back of your mind is how good your VOIP works with other services you are already using. If your VOIP of choice lacks third-party integration, you might end up having to recreate or migrate data you already have inside another product. This is very costly as labour and time will be wasted, and there’s even the possibility of some bits of data being lost. Also, if you want to develop your own custom integrations, make sure you get VOIP services that support integration APIs, either as extra-cost options or freely available for download to customers.
Custom Mobile Apps
Some companies often require the full suite of their VOIP functionality to run on mobile devices. This is especially key for frontline workers and mobile works as well. Since not all VOIP providers have custom apps for mobile devices that have the same functionality as desktop apps, it is important that you get a provider who does.
Customer Support
Just like with every product, customer support is very critical when choosing a VOIP provider. You need to have the confidence that you will always have someone to call upon any time you experience any difficulties with the product. Some companies offer 24/7 live chat support while others offer round the clock phone support. If your business has round the clock needs, you will want to get such a provider where you are assured any queries you may have will be answered in a timely fashion.
By putting these factors whenever you go VOIP shopping, you are almost guaranteed to find one that suits your needs.
In conclusion, VOIP is one of the best inventions of the 21st century. Not only does it make communication easier, but it also improves the efficiency and productivity of companies and organizations, especially considering how most have adopted remote working.
To find the best VOIP services in San Antonio, you can always ask for recommendations from other parties that have successfully incorporated the use of VOIP within their organizations. It is also very important to look at what customers are saying about a particular VOIP. They have had first-hand experience using the product and are, therefore, in the best position to judge. As they say, only the wearer of the shoe knows where it pinches the most.
About The Author
Stephanie Braga
Hi, I am Stephanie Braga. A professional blogger and content community manager on this platform. I love to write and post content on different niche. Contact me, if you need any help related to digital marketing or content marketing.
