Voice over IP (VoIP) phone systems are over two decades old, and still going strong. That’s because it provides businesses with unparalleled mobility. What’s more, VoIP developers are constantly improving the technology, which means we can expect some exciting new trends for telecommunications in 2018. Here are just a few of them.

Faster networks will improve call quality
With more 5G mobile networks expected to go online in 2018, the quality of VoIP calls will get even better. 5G offers wireless speeds ten times faster than 4G, significantly reducing common issues like call jitter, echoes, and packet loss. Faster upload and download speeds also allow for stable, high-quality video streaming from anywhere with a strong 5G signal. All in all, this new mobile network will definitely empower more users to work remotely.

Artificial intelligence will enhance telecom systems
AI technology has huge implications for VoIP phone systems.

Before a call, AI could be used to recognize poor call-quality and fix it immediately -- like a self-healing network. This means issues like low bandwidth, improper network configuration, and high latency can be resolved in real time, guaranteeing crystal clear calls and minimizing the need for human intervention.

We also anticipate AI-powered unified communications programs that will analyze conversations, email correspondence, and speech patterns also in real time to produce valuable insights into customer behavior and sales performance. With this information, marketing firms will be able to improve their sales tactics and customer service.

So far, major developers and telecom providers are still working on prototypes of this technology, but more AI functionality will likely appear in 2018.

Voice assistants will get smarter
In addition to providing customer-behavior analytics, we predict that AI will also be used to answer calls. Thanks to improvements in language processing, voice assistants like Siri and Alexa are getting better at interpreting simple commands and interacting directly with customers.

For example, voice bots can handle simple queries that would normally be found in FAQs, while customer service agents resolve more complicated issues. If implemented correctly, this has the potential to increase resolution rates and reduce time spent on basic tasks.

Plain old telephone systems will die out
Given the popularity of VoIP phone systems, telecom analysts predict that the demise of traditional landlines is well underway. Of course, support for old-school phone systems will still be available, but the businesses that use them will be a minority.

VoIP offers enterprise-level features, hardware, support, and upgrades for a fixed monthly fee, making it a smarter choice for future-proofing business communications.

This is why you should consider VoIP migration your goal for 2018. As a professional VoIP provider, we can help you with this process. Simply contact us today to learn about all the benefits of a futuristic phone system.

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The field of business IT is never short on insider jargon. Voice over IP (VoIP) and its long list of acronym-laden add-on features is a great example. While you don’t need to understand every term, you should at least learn the differences between open source and proprietary systems.

What are “proprietary” systems?

When most companies release VoIP software, such as Microsoft’s Skype, they often package it in a way that makes it almost impossible for users to view or alter the programming code. By keeping it locked down, they can retain control over which hardware and software systems it is compatible with and prevent hackers from uncovering vulnerabilities.

Pros and cons

One of the biggest benefits of a proprietary VoIP system is a consistent user experience across compatible hardware devices and software integrations. Brand-name handsets and third-party software must be programmed by the VoIP system’s developer to be compatible, so you know everything will be optimized for a uniform and reliable user experience.

But keep in mind that, in the majority of cases, the added security and polished integrations of these systems cost more than open-source alternatives.

What are “open-source” systems?

The programming code that enables open-source VoIP solutions to work is free and accessible to anyone. Open-source systems are made to be more of a starting point than a finished solution, which means they’re usually pretty rough around the edges until you customize them.

Pros and cons

The two best things about an open-source system are the cost and the flexibility. The core system will be totally free, but tailoring it to your desktops, handsets, and servers will require a fair amount of time and technical expertise. This usually requires a larger upfront investment when compared to proprietary systems, but will pay off with lower operational costs as time goes on.

The tradeoffs between open-source and proprietary systems are fairly even. The former is often better for business owners who prioritize keeping costs low, while the latter is usually better for those who prefer refined solutions. Choosing between the two comes down to your customer service model, IT resources, and business priorities.

Small businesses like yours can enjoy personalized, high-end IT solutions, they just need support from experienced technicians. With years of experience in VoIP, we’re the answer to all your problems. To learn about what we think is best for your business, call today!

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Efficient communication is urgently important to any business looking to succeed. Communication breakdowns lead to downtime and inefficiency, among other intangible expenses. Thankfully, all of that can easily be avoided with unified communications.

What is unified communications?

Unified communications (UC) allow you to manage all your communications from one architecture rather than separately.

It integrates computer-related communication technologies, like instant messaging and video conferencing, with voice over internet protocol (VoIP) which allows you to make and receive calls using the internet.

What can be integrated?

Just about everything can be integrated. This includes voice communication in all its forms -- voicemail, email, or fax -- as well as multimedia services like video chat and web conferencing.

Real-time communication like call screening and call conferencing can also be integrated. But what many might not know is the fact that even data services and transactions like e-commerce and online banking can also be added to the UC system.

What are the benefits of UC to small businesses?

One of the most evident benefits is that you’ll have a single and flexible communication infrastructure that allows you to streamline and enhance business communication, and easily manage all the components.

Features can be scaled up or down to support your business needs without hassle. Other benefits include:

Hypermobility

UC gives access to your office via a wide array of smart devices, like laptops, smartphones, tablets, and more. This means you can literally create your office environment and satisfy customers from anywhere you please. This opens up a world of opportunity for employing remote workers.

Improved productivity

Your employees will be equipped with productivity-enhancing communication features, like call info, call routing, and more, that allow them to work more efficiently and better tend to customers’ needs.

Web and video conferencing calls, for instance, not only allow for real-time interactivity, but also for better collaboration. Delayed response times and gaps between dispersed teams are also minimized.

Real-time updates

You and your employees will be able to see important presence updates in real time, including how to contact colleagues and how to see their locations. This makes getting the right information from the right person at the right time quick and easy.

Single contact point

Clearly defined points of contact ensures that stakeholders can reach you by email, phone, SMS, and more regardless of the channel they’re doing it from -- softphone, IP phone, email, or IM.

Reduced costs

UC eliminates the cost of travel and reduces your monthly phone bill since it uses the internet to make calls. It also limits the need for expensive on-site hardware as one UC server keeps everyone connected using the aforementioned communication features.

Even better, you can potentially save thousands of dollars on office overheads by allowing employees to work from home since they’ll remain connected with their softphones even when they’re not at your office.

It’s only a matter of time before unified communications become the norm for day-to-day office interactions. If you’re interested in learning more about how UC or VoIP can transform your business, just give us a call. We’re happy to explain everything to you in plain English.

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