Businesses of all sizes are using numerous communications vehicles to stay in touch with their customers, suppliers and employees. Whether phone, via a landline or cell service, or data through the Internet, local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), communications are constantly evolving to help drive productivity. Technology advances have made communications features more robust, as well as more cost-effective, for companies of all sizes. Below is one trend that is shaping business communications today – the shift to IP Telephony.
According to Metaswitch’s SMB End User and Competitive Research from May of 2013, the number of IP voice users is projected to quadruple from 2013 to 2019. This research also states that 72 percent of companies with less than 50 employees would consider purchasing an IP communications service within the next two years.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the technology used to make phone calls over the Internet. An attractive feature of VoIP is its cost-saving potential. Who doesn’t like to save money?
When moved away from public-switched telephone networks, long-distance phone calls become incredibly inexpensive. Gone are the days of high-priced phone bills. For the enterprise, VoIP reduces equipment, lines, manpower and maintenance costs. All of an organization's voice and data traffic is integrated into one physical network, bypassing the need for separate lines. And what does that mean? It means bypassing extra costs. Voicemail delivery via email, click-to-call service on a website and a voice call button on an email: these are all advantages to VoIP.
For larger or more complex businesses, an option might include either an on-premise IP PBX (also referred to as a VoIP PBX) or a hosted PBX solution. A key decision then becomes: Which is the right PBX system based on the needs of the business? An on-premise IP PBX system physically resides in the organization’s location and under its control, whereas a hosted PBX solution resides in the cloud and is managed externally by a service provider.
A hosted PBX solution allows a business to select from a variety of configurations to best fit its needs. Additionally, a business is liberated from dealing with the management of its phone system. A monthly fee is required, but virtually all management responsibilities are eliminated.
On the other hand, a hosted PBX solution provides a business with the advantage of lower startup costs. While a business will pay ongoing service-provider fees, there is no need to purchase or maintain the communications equipment with a hosted solution. And what makes this solution even more attractive? The business does not incur a monthly service fee.
For more information, read the entire free eBook from RCN, titled, "Top Three Trends Transforming Business Communications."
RCN Business offers a full suite of communications technology solutions, including high-speed Internet, voice, video and network solutions. For more information, visit rcn.com/business or call 1-877-726-7000.
