Business VoIP
When it comes to business VoIP services, there are options available to fit the needs of every company. The type of VoIP service plan you look for will depend on how many employees will be using the system, which features you require, your budget, and security constraints, among other factors. Business VoIP services fall into three main categories: Traditional VoIP, the choice of most small businesses, IP-PBX, an enterprise-oriented solution popular with large companies, and hosted PBX, which falls somewhere between the two. Here's a quick overview to help you decide which type of VoIP service suits your business best:
IP-PBX
An IP-PBX (Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange) system is an updated version of a traditional PBX (analog based) system. VoIP service equipment is housed at your office- from there, it connects to the internet to deliver calls from your business to phone users on the receiving end. You can also accept calls from the PTSN (traditional phone) network and have them delivered to your business over an internet connection. Business VoIP using an IP PBX works exactly like a traditional PBX phone system, only it uses an internet connection rather than phone lines to route calls to and from your phone number. With an IP PBX system, you'll get:
•Enterprise-level functionality
•Heightened security
•Excellent call quality
•A scalable phone system that can grow with your business less
•The benefits that come with owning your own routing equipment: control, asset management, etc.
Business VoIP equipment for smaller offices can range in cost up to several thousand dollars or more, so it's important to research your options. You'll also need to perform upgrades and provide equipment maintenance yourself.
Hosted PBX
With a hosted PBX VoIP service, no equipment is needed on-site. Since calls are routed from the PBX to business VoIP phones over an internet connection, there's no need for the equipment at your office. Calls are routed to the provider location using either a T-1 line or the open internet- to use hosted PBX, you'll still need to pay for this connection in addition to the VoIP service plan itself. Hosted business VoIP offers most of the same benefits as on-site (IP-PBX), and a few more:
•No maintenance charges for equipment
•No need to perform upgrades yourself
•Enhanced security features
•Portability
•Cost savings
It's important to keep in mind that you'll need an internet connection fast enough to handle the additional voice traffic that hosted phone systems create. Hosted VoIP phone service plans are ideal for mid-sized or smaller businesses that seek the functionality of a PBX system but want to save on equipment and maintenance costs.
Basic VoIP Service
Basic business VoIP service routes calls to your office phones using your current (or an upgraded) internet connection.i Basic VoIP service is a popular choice among smaller companies or newer businesses because it is so cost effective- the calls come straight to your office using an internet connection, eliminating the need for an intermediary routing device. There are several benefits to using a basic businessVoIP service:
•Ease of use and implementation
•Upgrades are easily downloadable
•Minimal equipment charges
•Cost efficient
Most basic business VoIP service plans are inexpensive- costing as little as $20/month for unlimited minutes and free long distance calling. Smaller businesses using VoIP for the first time often find that a basic VoIP service plan is a great way to introduce VoIP technology to a business.
