The way we communicate has evolved significantly over time. From smoke signals and carrier pigeons to telegrams, telephones, text messages and TikTok, modes of communication are ever evolving. In recent years, there has been enormous growth in the adoption of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as a communication technology. VoIP is a digital telephone service that uses the internet to transmit voice calls rather than traditional telephone lines.

VoIP technology has revolutionized the way businesses communicate, offering a range of benefits over traditional telephone systems. Today, over 30% of businesses rely on VoIP, with small and midsize businesses projected to grow their usage by more than 15% by 2025. But that still leaves the majority of businesses tied to traditional landline systems in a world where nearly everything can be done online. So, why would a business want to consider VoIP? And how can they be sure their VoIP network is managed correctly? Keep reading.

Some History

VoIP has come a long way since its inception in the mid-1990s. In the early days, the technology was limited by the lack of high-speed internet connections and the unreliability of the internet itself. Dropped calls and poor call quality were common, as the internet was not yet robust enough to handle voice traffic reliably, and VoIP had trouble performing some of the essential functions of traditional phone lines. How many of you remember the handwringing over early home-based internet phone services that couldn’t correctly connect to 911?

Today, with the near-universal adoption of broadband internet (particularly within large population centers), VoIP has become not only a viable alternative to traditional telephony but one that makes a great deal of sense for a modern, distributed workforce.

Save, Save, Save

One of the most attractive aspects of VoIP for business, and a key driver of its growth, is its sheer cost-effectiveness. Traditional telephone services require a significant amount of physical infrastructure to operate, and these infrastructure costs are passed on to consumers in the form of higher phone bills. From an operational standpoint, dedicated lines can be expensive to install and maintain, not to mention monthly and yearly squabbles with telecom providers over rates, number of lines and disputed charges.

VoIP, on the other hand, uses the existing internet infrastructure (which you’re paying for anyway). It can be managed remotely (ideally by an experienced MSP), eliminating the need for on-site technicians to maintain physical infrastructure. VoIP also requires less equipment and hardware than traditional telephone services, which can save businesses money on maintenance and replacement costs.This makes VoIP a more affordable option, especially for small businesses and startups.

Using a managed services provider (MSP) to handle your VoIP system will save you more money still. MSPs offer flexible pricing models that allow you to pay for the services you need, rather than investing in expensive infrastructure and equipment. This allows you to reduce expenses and operational costs while having the flexibility to scale your services up or down as business needs change. MSPs also provide ongoing maintenance and support, which can reduce the risk of downtime and the associated costs of lost productivity.

Scale and Flex

Scalability is so important for businesses when planning or optimizing communication systems. Especially today, with the rise of remote work, and distributed teams, not to mention rollercoaster cycles of layoffs and ramp-ups, businesses need to know their communication systems can scale easily as their needs change. VoIP is the clear winner when it comes to scalability and flexibility.

With VoIP, businesses can easily add or remove phone lines as needed, without the need for additional physical infrastructure. Worries about geographic limitations or multiple office locations are also a thing of the past, as users can make calls from any place they have an internet connection. A good MSP is always a call or click away to help you make these changes the minute you need them.

Work It

VoIP can lead to increased overall productivity vs. traditional telephony, thanks to its inherently digital nature. VoIP systems often support third-party integrations, making it easy for businesses to add new features or services to their communication systems as needed. For example, businesses can integrate their VoIP system with customer relationship management (CRM) software to enable seamless communication with customers.

VoIP is also simply a more versatile communication technology than traditional telephony. A cloud-based communication infrastructure allows businesses to benefit from automatic software updates and maintenance, ensuring that their communication systems are always up to date. And, if you choose to work with a good MSP, they can help  you identify and implement the advanced VoIP features that best meet your business and productivity goals.

Have a Trustworthy Guide

Despite its many benefits, the business world’s migration to VoIP hasn’t been without challenges. Having a good MSP partner to preemptively tackle challenges head-on is paramount.

For instance, VoIP calls can be susceptible to internet bandwidth fluctuations, which can cause disruptions and poor call quality. MSPs can help you ensure the reliability and performance of your VoIP system by optimizing your network and bandwidth and implementing Quality of Service (QoS) protocols that prioritize voice traffic. MSPs also provide monitoring and reporting tools that can help you identify and resolve any issues that may impact the quality of your calls.

Security has also been a concern with VoIP. VoIP calls can be vulnerable to hacking, malware, and eavesdropping, which can compromise privacy and confidentiality. MSPs can help you mitigate these risks by implementing security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection, and encryption. MSPs also monitor your system for any suspicious activity and can quickly respond to any threats or incidents. This means you can be confident that your VoIP system is secure and protected from cyber threats.

That said, with the right MSP partner, the benefits of VoIP, especially for small and midsize businesses, far outweigh any risks. You can ensure the smooth running of your VoIP system and reduce your costs and risk by partnering with a tested and trusted MSP.

TTG prides itself on providing tailored, tested, original solutions to bring our clients peace of mind. We would love to have the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your technology infrastructure needs. Contact us today.