5 Things To Know About VoIP Phones Distributors

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has completely changed the way businesses communicate internally and externally. As a better alternative to traditional landlines, you can reach any corner of the world and do more things, at a very low cost. 

With the advent of VoIP, otherwise known as internet telephony, business communication has become way cheaper and more advanced. Because of the integrated applications that offer mobility and flexibility, your phone is capable of becoming more than just a phone. Depending on your needs and your service provider, you can make calls, share data, and collaborate through your desktop, a mobile phone, or practically any device that’s connected to your system. You can take your business operations with you anywhere, anytime.     

Here are five things you need to know about VoIP phones distributors:

 

1. How Much Does It Cost? 

 

VoIP works by converting your voice into a digital signal that can be distributed through Internet connection. The digital signal is later converted into a voice call, similar to what goes through traditional phone lines. This type of service is highly dependent on the Internet connection, VoIP phone, and service provider you’ll choose.  

VoIP phone distributors have different price ranges, depending on the phone models and the features integrated into the phone units. Rather than just comparing prices and features, however, businesses should first decide what they want in a VoIP phone system. Hence, don’t choose the cheapest offer on autopilot. Look closely at what’s included in the package costs and compare it to your needs. You may choose the costlier option as long as it covers your needs and more. Doing this can save you more costs over time.      

 

2. How Secure Are Their Services?

 

Cyberattacks happen on a daily basis and at a high rate. That being said, security should be a priority for every VoIP service, being that your business and your clients’ invaluable information are at stake. Check whether your chosen VoIP service provider, such as  NTS Direct, can assure you of data protection and security. Determine what safeguards are in place; for instance, end-to-end encryption, double or multi- factor authentication, and biometrics. Also make sure you know which steps the provider will take in case of a data breach.

Internally, make sure your cybersecurity is robust. Otherwise, work with your information technology (IT) team or consultant to see whether you need to upgrade your IT infrastructure to keep up with the needs of the VoIP phone system.

 

3. What Features Do They Offer?

 

Various phone manufacturers offer different types of features, integrated applications, and services in their VoIP phones. Sometimes, service providers work with phone distributors to come up with a better set of features that may work best for your business.

Is your business bound to operate operationally or domestically?  If your transactions are predominantly local, you may then skip international access or put them as a non-priority. Are you eyeing to establish a call center startup?  Then, you may need more features to fulfil your operational needs.  Call analytics, interactive voice response, call parking, and three-way calling are only few of the main features your VoIP phone should have, so check with your distributor for the complete details.      

 

4. Are There Third-Party Integrations?

 

This is what makes VoIP stand out from traditional phones. With technology, VoIP service providers can offer to integrate third-party applications or services to streamline your business operations. For instance, more than just being used for internal and external office communications, VoIP service providers can link your phones to customer relationship management, business productivity, data sharing tools, as well as project management apps.   

Without this inter-operability, you may not be able to maximize your physical and digital resources. Having Internet telephony can do more for your business than just sending and receiving messages or calls. It can promote streamlined communication and collaboration processes, helping your staff become productivity rock stars. 

 

5. Do They Have Great After-Sales Support Services?

 

Ask around and see what customers have to say about a VoIP phone distributor’s after-sales services. They may have various customer service channels—social media, phones, e-mail, website, chatbots—but are they responsive?  As VoIP phones are Internet-dependent and have advanced features, you may need help in troubleshooting your unit every now and then. 

After installation, is your phone distributor willing to provide face-to-face trainings or webinars on how to use and operate their products?  Are manuals and guides available online or on their website?  Is your VoIP phone distributor ready to create training materials to all of those concerned? 

Make sure your VoIP phone distributor is willing to help you scale your business and won’t leave you in the dust. 

Conclusion

Shifting to or upgrading your VoIP phone system offers a wide range of benefits for your business. However, the key to maximizing your resources is choosing the best VoIP phone distributor and service provider for your specific needs. Knowing what to look for in a provider can help you come up with an informed decision.      

More than drastically reducing your communication costs, choosing the right VoIP setup can increase productivity and improve your overall business operations down the road.