Why VoIP Should be a Top Priority on Your 2019 Tech Plan

VoIP is one technology that every industry can benefit from. If digitized alternatives are a priority for your business, then VoIP should be #1 on your list. Simply, it’s a modern way to manage your business phone system over the internet. But VoIP is so much more than just another way to make phone calls. VoIP is a highly scalable and adaptable technology that creates a more efficient and powerful communications infrastructure within your organization.

By now, VoIP has inevitably crossed your radar. If it hasn’t made it to the top of your to-do list yet, here are five reasons VoIP should be at the top of your 2019 agenda.

VoIP offers modern features that increase productivity

Managing productivity levels across your entire organization is an important part of maximizing the value of your technology investments. VoIP systems drive this effort by delivering modern features that people can use to be more effective at work.

Just to name some:

• Flexible Phone Options - Employees can use their business phone numbers via computers, desk phones, and mobile app from any location, while staying connected to the central phone system.
• Calling & Messaging Collaboration - Calls and messages are managed online and contribute to easier collaboration and faster response times.
• Real-Time Call Data - Live call reporting and monitoring tools enable supervisors to track calls in real time, and optimize call center operations. 
• Automated Call Routing - Menus (auto attendants) and queues streamline inbound call activity while providing support teams with flexible call forwarding options.
• Instant Web Management - Admins can easily (and remotely) create customized actions such as routing directions, calling groups, voicemail preferences, and automated transfer protocols that go live instantly.

In addition to the newer features, call center features are now just as easily implemented by SMBs. Enterprise features are no longer exclusive to enterprises. VoIP enables all organizations to operate more efficiently, deliver better customer service, and communicate better internally. Even small businesses with remote or in-house sales and support teams can effortlessly manage high inbound call volume with a proper VoIP system.

Related: 5 Ways to Improve Your Call Center Metrics

VoIP integrates with other SaaS applications

Like with any new technology you incorporate, finding a solution that integrates with your current systems is essential to making your technology work for you, not the other way around. When considering how to include your phone service into CRM and task management platforms, having users enter this information manually can be a time-consuming and inefficient process.

Finding a VoIP phone system that integrates directly with the specific solutions that you use may be a challenge if you’re using some very industry-specific applications. There’s a solution for this. Consider Zapier. Zapier is like a middleman that works with tens of thousands of different platforms, and enables you to automate actions between them.

Here are just some of the applications you can integrate with Zapier:

• Telzio
• Gmail
• Excel
• Trello
• Airtable
• Hubspot CRM
• Salesforce
• Zendesk

For example with Telzio, you can create triggers between your cloud PBX system and other mission-critical platforms. Whether it’s sending missed call notifications to a slack channel, or downloading call recordings to a drive, integrations help you get the most out of your VoIP service.

VoIP provides greater security and reliability

Cloud phone systems are much more secure and reliable alternative to traditional phone systems. Unlike landlines that use analog signals to pass information, VoIP uses advanced encryption protocols when transferring data through service networks. Simply put, it’s much easier to hack an analog phone line than it is to hack a VoIP line.

VoIP providers adhere to stricter compliance and security standards that ensure greater reliability. Hosted in secure data centers and on different continents, Telzio maximizes bandwidth aggregation, significantly improving redundancy and reliability of your business network.

You can read more about VoIP infrastructure, security, and disaster recovery in this PDF outlining Telzio’s commitment to reliability.  

VoIP reduces monthly telecommunications expense by 30%

Migrating to a cloud PBX solution does more than just reduce your setup and maintenance costs by eliminating hardware. It reduces the cost of monthly service plans as well. The cost of running service over the internet is inherently much more cost effective than over physical lines. However, different providers offer different pricing models that can significantly affect your monthly cost. You will mainly find VoIP service providers charging based on users, whereas Telzio offers a more wholesale approach by charging based on usage.

At Telzio, we see companies saving an average of 30 percent per month when switching over from traditional and pay-per-user models.

Why is a pay-per-usage model more cost effective than pay-per-user?

• You can scale your usage efficiently over time
• The average employee only uses 400 minutes of talk time
• You don’t end up paying for unused capacity
• You have the flexibility to add users instantly for free

Beware of providers who offer “unlimited minutes”. Unlimited usage is merely a marketing ploy to give you a false sense of saving. In reality, there is no such thing as an unlimited plan. You’ll have to spend time digging into the fine print to find that the limits are ambigious and the penalties are harsh.

Here's a video that explains more about usage-based pricing. 

Related: Why You Shouldn't Pay Per User for a VoIP Phone System

VoIP offers a scalable communication infrastructure

A VoIP solution supports the constant adaptations of a growing business, regardless of whether the organization uses a linear or non-linear approach to their scalability. Unlike traditional phone systems, VoIP configurations allow companies to scale their plans, the number of lines, and user counts up or down in real-time without the need to schedule on-site technician visits. This ensures you only pay for the services you need any time, allowing you to easily adjust to seasonal demands and add administrators as needed.

A truly scalable VoIP service enables you to customize your usage on demand. With fully transparent VoIP plans, Telzio allows you to customize usage as you grow and includes critical features like call recording and all users at no extra cost. And, there’s no limit to the number of call recordings and users you can store on your system.

And because there are no contracts with Telzio’s services, you can stay in control of your costs at all times, while having the flexibility to remain agile as the needs of your business change.

Related: What is the Best VoIP Phone for a Small Business?

As you approach your technology planning in 2019, creating a sustainable infrastructure that supports your long-term business objects should be one of your primary focuses. While certain types of software and business applications eventually become outdated, cloud based solutions remain relevant to both small and large enterprises as they scale their operations and grow their teams. Technology planning requires a balanced approach to align short- and long-term objectives. Plan too conservatively, and you’ll outgrow your technology in a year. Plan too aggressively, and you’ll be swimming in unused equipment and unfinished projects that eat away at your bottom line. VoIP is one technology that you can implement today no matter what size you are, and enables you to scale up with minimal cost or friction.