VoIP Phone Systems: Are They Interesting For Small Businesses?

Until recently, VoIP PBX systems were prohibitively expensive for small businesses. Today, this technology is also available for small businesses at a fraction of the cost. Lets have a look at the benefits of installing a VoIP system in your small business.

1. Many of todays VoIP PBX phone systems run on traditional computer hardware. This means you do not longer have to invest in a black box about which you know nothing, but instead use a, much cheaper, ordinary computer. This also has the advantage of being easier and cheaper to replace if something breaks down.

2. Voice over IP telephony, uses your existing computer network. You can use the same cable that connects your computer, to connect your telephone. This allows for additional flexibility and dramatically reduces cost if you still have to invest in cabling.

3. Because of the underlying technology (the SIP protocol), you can easily switch vendors. Vendors charge hefty fees for additional phone sets, especially once the phone models get older. With VoIP, if youre not happy with one vendor, just switch to another and never be locked in anymore.

4. Because IP telephony uses your existing computer network, its also very easy to integrate with your software applications. You will be able to contact your customers from your existing software program at the click of a button. And when a customer calls you, youll have all the information about him right at your screen before you even pick up the phone. This is all realized using a so-called API or Application Programming Interface.

5. This also means your voicemails and incoming faxes can be easily delivered to you via e-mail. This makes your e-mail program your single point of contact for all incoming communications. This feature is often called unified messaging and will make your small business communications a lot easier.

6. Last but not least, VoIP systems offer one additional advantage: they are easy to manage. This is another result of the IP PBX sitting on the same network as your computer. Whereas in the past, your phone system could only be configured by your vendor, you will now be able to do it yourself by simply using your web browser on your computer.

To round it up, lets have a look at the things you should look for when choosing a VoIP PBX system for your company:

1) Does the system run on standard computer hardware?

You can add additional requirements you may have to this list, but dont forget to check these questions. If a vendor cannot answer positively to these questions, pick another one or you may be locked in again for another decade.

Tom Schouteden is Managing director of Linugen, a company which creates the Sipcat VoIP PBX system. Try out the fully functional free software at http://www.sipcat.com/

Author: Tom Schouteden
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty tariff

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