When it comes to saving money for small businesses, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is one solution that is all the rage. But not all VoIP systems are built the same. So when you’re ready to install this new technology for your business, here are some common VoIP pitfalls to be aware of.

• Poor call quality
• Complicated and frustrating VoIP system management
• Negative on-hold experience for customers

Experiencing any of these issues can tarnish your company’s reputation and result in a loss of profits, so it’s important to implement the following solutions.

Know what you want out of your VoIP phone solution

If your business handles hundreds of customer service calls a day, you will have different telephony needs than a business that is mainly using their phone system as a method for internal communication. That’s why it’s important to know exactly what you want out of your VoIP phone solution. Do you want to use it to answer a few customer service calls a day and communicate between internal staff? Will you be holding video meetings with it? If you know what you want out of your VoIP system in advance, it sets you up to have a practical discussion of your bandwidth and feature requirements with a service provider.

Find an experienced service provider

VoIP providers can make or break the success of your new phone system. The three problems listed above can all be avoided with an experienced service provider installing and maintaining your system. They let you know the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the technology, and give you realistic expectations of what you’ll get from the service. This ensures you aren’t let down and that you don’t suffer a bad telephony experience that irritates customers.

A trusted VoIP provider will also have in-depth experience with installations. They can help you define a strategy that meets your business’s specific needs, provide recommendations on system design and management, and enable the superb call experience your customers expect. Additionally, the right VoIP providers may offer training and support to ensure you understand how to use the system effectively. They’re also a quick phone call away if problems arise.

What if your existing VoIP system has turned buggy?

Although it’s better to consult an experienced VoIP provider before your initial installation, it’s not too late to course-correct. A trusted VoIP provider can help you resolve many of the issues you’re experiencing. Don’t settle for a VoIP system that hurts your business. You can make VoIP work for your business, and save thousands of dollars in the process.

If you need advice on installing a new VoIP system or fixing your current one, don’t hesitate to call us. Our experts can provide you with the consultation, support, and service that enables your business to enjoy the cost savings and power of VoIP. Call us today.

The post How to avoid common VoIP problems appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Keeping in touch with people through mobile devices has become cheaper these last few years. It is not surprising to see more businesses taking advantage of these affordable and versatile communication methods. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services are a popular alternative to regular phone calls and has become a necessity for many organizations in the 21st century. Before you begin searching for a service provider, ask yourself: Why does your company need VoIP? The following tips will help you decide.

Flexibility or ease-of-use?

Choosing between a hosted or managed VoIP setup depends on the type of service your company is willing to pay for. Would you prefer flexibility or accessibility?

Managed VoIP means that your company is in charge of managing and maintaining the on-site system. While initial costs are generally greater due to hardware and maintenance fees, when it comes to managing your own telecommunications network, a managed VoIP system provides your business with more versatility and control.

On the other hand, with hosted VoIP systems, you leave the cost of new hardware and the maintenance of the telecommunications network entirely to a third party. This also frees your company from the burden of having to monitor and update your own telecommunications technologies. For many small businesses, a hosted VoIP option is the more attractive choice, as you only pay for the services you use from your hosted service provider, and these initial fees tend to be lower than the alternative.

Do you want to be more technically involved?

Deciding between a managed and a hosted VoIP system depends on how much you are willing to be involved in the management and maintenance of your VoIP setup. Generally, many companies with limited IT knowledge tend to take the hosted VoIP option while those who have more resources to customize their own telecommunications networks are more willing to go with a managed on-site VoIP setup.

Have you considered mobile VoIP systems?

With VoIP systems, telephony is no longer bound to a specific phone network. Modern employees now have a multitude of communication tools to choose from, all while accessing them anytime and anywhere. Choosing VoIP systems that offer mobile integration can allow your workers to join video conference calls and answer direct calls even when they are not in the office.

Does your business intend to expand?

When choosing the right VoIP system, you have to make sure that the service provider can complement your company’s plans for growth. With so many mobile devices being developed, selecting a VoIP service that is compatible with the latest technologies can keep you ahead of the game.

Cloud-based solutions can help ease your expansion plans because these services will constantly update your telecommunications network for you. This means you never have to worry about your technology falling behind in functionality.

Check your internet connection

Regardless of which VoIP provider you choose, it is important to note that a strong and stable internet connection is necessary to support your communications network. Before purchasing from a specific VoIP provider, you should find out if your company requires a dedicated broadband or leased lines. While leased lines offer improved voice quality, opting for dedicated broadband services offer higher internet speeds.

How much does it cost?

How much you are willing to pay for a VoIP system? First, check how much the hardware and installation of the service costs. Then look at how much a provider charges for managing, updating, and maintaining your telecommunications system.

Finally, make sure that a VoIP provider’s services meet your company’s communication needs. If the VoIP provider is offering a bundle of services that your company might not even require, then it might be in your best interest to choose a different provider.

While picking and deploying a VoIP system can seem like daunting tasks, there's no denying that any good business needs VoIP to function. If you are planning to install a new VoIP system, consider some or all of these factors to ensure you’ve made the right decision. And of course, if you’re looking for a provider, our experts are happy to help you in any way possible.

The post Factors for selecting a VoIP system appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Picking a VoIP solution for your business can be tricky since there are so many data plans to choose from. But here’s a pro tip: Calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO) and not just the monthly fees.

What is TCO?
TCO is the overall sum of procuring, deploying, and operating a VoIP system over its life cycle, which is typically five years. An experienced VoIP expert should be able to give you an informed approximation.

Upfront costs
Upfront costs are largely determined by whether you buy a VoIP system outright or rent it from a reputable third party. Although the former carries a steep upfront cost, payment will not continue indefinitely. This makes sense for large, fully staffed corporations with massive budgets. Meanwhile, the latter option is better for small- and medium-sized businesses that prefer to pay a small monthly subscription rather than make a huge investment.

Beyond the price of the VoIP package, upfront costs also include additional costs like headsets, webcams, and a stronger network connection to ensure crystal-clear calls.

Implementation costs
A majority of implementation costs goes to the fees of the consultant or managed IT services provider (MSP) that will design, deploy, and configure your VoIP system.

But since you’re installing a completely new phone system, you’ll also need to factor in costs associated to training employees on how to use the VoIP system effectively and securely.

Operational costs
This covers monthly recurring costs of voice and data plans. For example, some service providers charge local and long-distance calls per minute, while others offer unlimited local calls for a fixed monthly cost.

If you’re managing your VoIP infrastructure yourself, you’ll also have to take into account the monthly power, cooling, and maintenance fees. If you opt for hosted VoIP services, however, you’ll only be billed for maintenance.

Upgrade costs
You should also set aside some room in your budget for VoIP upgrades. For instance, to improve customer service, you may need to integrate customer relationship management (CRM) software with VoIP, but that requires a certified CRM expert to facilitate the entire integration process.

Evaluating all the costs that apply to your business will give you a clear idea of how much you can expect to pay for your VoIP system. If you’re having difficulty calculating the real costs of VoIP, call our experts today. We’ll help you figure out which VoIP solution is most ideal for your business and budget.

The post How to calculate the TCO of VoIP appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Picking a VoIP solution for your business can be tricky since there are so many data plans to choose from. But here’s a pro tip: Calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO) and not just the monthly fees.

What is TCO?
TCO is the overall sum of procuring, deploying, and operating a VoIP system over its life cycle, which is typically five years. An experienced VoIP expert should be able to give you an informed approximation.

Upfront costs
Upfront costs are largely determined by whether you buy a VoIP system outright or rent it from a reputable third party. Although the former carries a steep upfront cost, payment will not continue indefinitely. This makes sense for large, fully staffed corporations with massive budgets. Meanwhile, the latter option is better for small- and medium-sized businesses that prefer to pay a small monthly subscription rather than make a huge investment.

Beyond the price of the VoIP package, upfront costs also include additional costs like headsets, webcams, and a stronger network connection to ensure crystal-clear calls.

Implementation costs
A majority of implementation costs goes to the fees of the consultant or managed IT services provider (MSP) that will design, deploy, and configure your VoIP system.

But since you’re installing a completely new phone system, you’ll also need to factor in costs associated to training employees on how to use the VoIP system effectively and securely.

Operational costs
This covers monthly recurring costs of voice and data plans. For example, some service providers charge local and long-distance calls per minute, while others offer unlimited local calls for a fixed monthly cost.

If you’re managing your VoIP infrastructure yourself, you’ll also have to take into account the monthly power, cooling, and maintenance fees. If you opt for hosted VoIP services, however, you’ll only be billed for maintenance.

Upgrade costs
You should also set aside some room in your budget for VoIP upgrades. For instance, to improve customer service, you may need to integrate customer relationship management (CRM) software with VoIP, but that requires a certified CRM expert to facilitate the entire integration process.

Evaluating all the costs that apply to your business will give you a clear idea of how much you can expect to pay for your VoIP system. If you’re having difficulty calculating the real costs of VoIP, call our experts today. We’ll help you figure out which VoIP solution is most ideal for your business and budget.

The post How to calculate the TCO of VoIP appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..