The ability to work remotely has never been more critical for businesses and their employees. Thanks to advancements in technology, and due to the increase in virtual tasks as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, workers are learning to be as efficient and productive at home as they would be in the office.
However, this only happens when colleagues and managers understand how to communicate effectively, which isn’t always the case. Nearly 60% of business professionals today report that they use three devices for corporate purposes, which can lead to confusion. To boost morale, creativity, and innovation, it’s clear that organizations require an office phone system with extensive remote functionality and exceptional call quality.
But, choosing correctly is tough when the market is saturated with products that appear similar. So, let’s take a look at the must-have features, the costs, and the benefits of VoIP 2.0 hosted business phone systems.
The Best Features of a VoIP 2.0 Hosted Phone System
Whereas unified communications are typically found in call centers, the rise of remote work tools has resulted in VoIP phone systems, offering a plethora of functionality properties to users. They include, but aren’t limited to:
- Call routing
- Caller I.D.
- Call analytics
- Call recording
- Call queuing
- Call forwarding
- Auto-attendant
- Voicemail forwarding
- Voicemail-to-email
- Visual voicemail
- Mobile app
These properties enable businesses to increase communication by breaking down barriers in the workplace. After all, information is easy to share, regardless of who they are or where they are located. A direct knock-on effect is an improvement in flexibility. VoIP 2.0 hosted business phone systems stop you from being rigid in your thinking and approach to your customers and clients.
A prime example is remote work itself. As VoIP technology grows, the art of telecommuting becomes more and more accessible.
How Much Does It Cost?
Weighing up the price is never a bad thing. For small and medium-sized businesses, the key is to analyze which equipment and assets are worth the investment, and one of the ways to figure it out is to determine whether you can afford the upfront expense.
The price will fluctuate, depending on which system you pick and the age. However, as a rule, it’s cheaper than a standard landline for the following reasons.
No Hardware
Hardware, the phone itself, used to be essential, yet it’s no longer necessary. With mobile apps and computer software, your employees can install the program on their desktops, laptops, or tablets to transform their devices into ‘softphones’. Therefore, you’ll save money on expensive overheads, from the initial investment in equipment to electricity costs.
No Hidden Fees
Not every traditional phone provider will hit you with surprise fees. Of course, it’s all about the small print and how well you understand the terms and conditions. For example, if international calls aren’t included, your monthly phone bill will be high. VoIP hosted phone systems for businesses tend to have more features for a single rate, meaning you won’t get a nasty shock. Plus, you can negotiate the fee over a year rather than month-to-month.
No Scaling Problems
When your company grows, you need to expand ASAP. Unfortunately, traditional phone lines don’t make it straightforward. VoIP solutions eliminate the need for awkward hardware so that you can scale-up in line with your success.
What Are the Benefits of VoIP?
If they aren’t enough, here is a selection of the benefits you can expect to take advantage of in the future.
- 24/7 Availability: Remote workers may have extra freedom over their schedules, yet that doesn’t mean your customers have to wait for a response. Thanks to mobile-friendly apps, workers can monitor questions and queries on-the-go to ensure 24-hour availability.
- System Security: Data leaks and natural disasters are common forms of breaches, but VoIP security protocols protect against everything from thieves to user error and disasters. How? It’s through user and location-specific permissions and cloud-based storage.
- Privacy: Cloud-based VoIP services automatically separate business contacts from personal ones to ensure privacy for the company, its employees, and its customers and clients.
The Future of Virtual Phone Systems
The cloud has already affected the way data and files are shared, and it’s no different with remote, unified communications. The location of a service is less appealing to employees and customers than ever, which is why businesses are adapting to VoIP 2.0 hosted business phone solutions.
In the next ten years, it’s projected that almost 75% of organizations will have a virtual team of some sort. With it, your business may struggle to negate any obstacles that arise in the not-too-distant future.
Get a hold of Red Mountain Technology Solutions to see how we can help you learn and understand the advantages of a cloud based phone system. 435-627-2990 or [email protected]