Featured VoIP Providers that Offer Enterprise VoIP Services
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The main reason for larger businesses to switch to VoIP is to eliminate the costs inherent in calls among multiple offices that are connected to a company Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN). A VoIP system can eliminate long-distance charges among multiple offices on a single phone system, but it cannot replace your existing phone service to the outside world. The two main drawbacks to VoIP systems within any business are the network requirements and the potential for outages.

For most businesses, it’s best to work with a flexible hybrid traditional/VoIP system that can be upgraded in the future, as some common business devices, such as fax machines, credit card processors, and some security systems, require analog phone lines. But, what makes up a complete VoIP system varies among vendors, so be sure to conduct a benefit and cost analysis before you make choices.

No matter how remote the locations of multiple offices, a VoIP phone system can completely eliminate long-distance calling charges among them. However, it does not replace your existing phone service to the outside world.

What You’ll Need

Additionally, you’ll need to know startup costs beyond setup and equipment fees. It’s easy to believe that a VoIP system will save money when advertise costs may represent minimal configuration without add-on servers or other equipment. Check, also, to see if the system you chose includes a means to send faxes.

Ask how the company guarantees your Quality of Service (QoS), and how that company handles support issues. One way to determine the quality of your VoIP vendor is to ask how they intend to provide full 911 or E911 services in 2008. The ability to connect to E911 services is now a requirement, and your company may not have a current solution, but it would be wise for them to have one in the pipeline.

Finally, you’ll need to know about this VoIP vendor’s future plans for growth. Try to determine if this business will be around for a number of years, otherwise you may find yourself searching for new VoIP vendors or support systems more often than you’d like. If your company is acquired, be sure your contract is binding with the new company.

Features to Look For

Some features you might consider for your enterprise VoIP system are the same as those you’d prefer in your traditional landline system. These features may include the following:

  • Unlimited Calling
  • Auto-Attendant
  • Simple Administration
  • Conference Bridge
  • Voicemail
  • Music/Messaging On Hold
  • Phone-based Management
  • Call Park/Call Pick-Up
  • Do Not Disturb
  • Call Transfer
  • Call Forwarding
  • 3-way Conference
  • Caller ID/Call Waiting Caller-ID
  • Local Time Zone Management
  • Stutter Tone Notification
  • Ring Tones
  • Ring Groups
  • Local Number Porting (LNP)
  • Directory Assistance Listing
  • Microsoft Outlook Integration
  • Online Billing
  • Switchboard
  • Virtual Numbers
  • Toll-Free Numbers
  • Professional Installation Services
  • Value Added Services

Ask about any methods that the VoIP provider uses to handle online security measures, processing requirements, and changes in protocols and mechanisms. Additionally, you may discover that VoIP’s technology includes a delay, or latency. Security measures may add to this latency with encryption. While computing power can speed up the VoIP process, if you aren’t prepared for the latest and greatest in speed, then you’ll need to adjust to delays in packet deliveries.

Another feature to look for is backward compatibility, as some VoIP protocols don’t work effectively with older firewalls and NAT-Network Address Translation that are integrated with some LAN and WAN networks. The cost of upgrading may not be something you’re prepared to deal with at the current time.

Despite the fact that VoIP has emulated many features contained within PSTN systems, you’ll encounter employers and employees who balk at adopting this new technology. Expect complaints as individuals become accustomed to changes. Some complaints may have merit, while others may merely echo the problems inherent with current VoIP systems. One way to avoid these problems is to wait until VoIP has resolved the E911 issue, which may alter how VoIP is used across the board.

Featured VoIP Providers that Offer Enterprise VoIP Services

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