Most businesses are trying to grapple with their core staff working from home with the recent outbreak of COVID-19. The big question becomes how to allow staff to do this in the most efficient way possible.  Perhaps one of the biggest challenges facing employers is figuring out the best way to communicate both internally and externally during these times. Without doubt, the most widely adopted method used is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). 

What is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

VoIP is a very loaded word - it can be used in different ways. Technically, it is the technology that converts your voice into a digital signal, allowing you to make a call directly from a computer (think soft client, MS Teams or Skype),  a VoIP phone, or other data-driven devices such as smartphones or tablets. Simply put, it’s a phone service delivered over the internet. You may also hear it referred to as IP telephony, internet telephony, broadband telephony, or broadband phone service and is available anywhere you have access to the internet.   

VoIP technology enables traditional telephony services to operate over computer networks using packet-switched protocols. Packet-switched VoIP puts voice signals into packets, similar to an electronic envelope. VoIP packets can be transmitted over any VoIP-compatible network, such as a local area network (LAN). Analog voice calls are converted into these packets of data. The packets travel like any other type of data, such as e-mail, over the public Internet and/or any private Internet Protocol (IP) network. 

What are the Benefits of having VoIP?

How VoIP works for your business internally is simple: by adding voice to a data network, you can reduce costs, improve productivity, and enhance collaboration.  Benefits include:  

• You'll save money by having one network to manage instead of two. You can easily add, move, or change phone extensions and locations, which saves money and gives you more flexibility. 

• Your workforce can use your communications system from home or on the road. Also, wireless IP phones connect users to your communications system and data resources, such as customer information, while they're in the warehouse, on the sales floor, or anywhere they can access your data network wirelessly. 

• Unified communications solutions for small businesses go beyond basic VoIP capabilities in enhancing collaboration. With a unified communications solution, workers can easily collaborate through voice, video chat, Web conference, and instant messaging. Employees can collaborate using each technology individually or all of them simultaneously, and from a single, easy-to-use interface. 

• Switching to VoIP might also help you save money on communications services. Long-distance and international calls are generally free with VoIP service. The only charge is for your internet access. 

Implementing VoIP can sound daunting, especially when trying to connect remote workers and multiple office locations. With the technology being adopted more and more everyday, the best VoIP providers will implement IP telephony in a manner that meets your needs and will protect your investment for years to come. Contact us today for more details at sales@cabco.ca or 1-800-675-4025.