Hosted VoIP
SMBs can cash in on VoIP
Hosted solutions offer big-business
capabilities without big expenses.
by Russ Warner
Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) can
offer reduced telephony costs and add
advanced calling features. While VoIP is
accessible for practically every business
setting, the upfront cost of a traditional
VoIP solution can be out of reach of many
small businesses due to the cost of
equipment, personnel and maintenance.
Therefore, a hosted VoIP solution often
makes sense for budget-minded small and
midsized businesses (SMBs).
Hosted VoIP offers a network-based
alternative to buying, managing, maintaining
and upgrading an IP PBX, while providing
advanced communications features, with the
added benefit of pay-as-you-go operating
expenses. Hosted solutions are not
hardware-intensive, nor dependent on a
full-time, on-site technical administrator.
A hosted VoIP solution allows SMBs to take
advantage of the advanced capabilities of
VoIP and the convenience of pay-as-you-go
service, while eliminating high up-front
costs and ongoing maintenance.
Hosted VoIP can provide SMBs with the
same services offered to large enterprise
customers, allowing the SMB to experience
increased mobility and productivity with
enterprise-class features, such as presence
awareness, unified messaging and mobile
connectivity.
Business-class VoIP features, such as
extension-to-extension dialing regardless of
employees' location, are of value to SMBs
with several locations or employees working
from home. Call forwarding allows incoming
calls to go directly to a cell phone or
another phone. Hold music or hold messages
are also available.
Voice mail messages can be retrieved via
e-mail. There are also options for
voice-activated speed dialing. Some service
providers offer a message blast feature to
send a prerecorded message. A Web-based
portal allows the administrator to log into
and manage services or review detailed call
reports.
Hosted VoIP can provide SMBs with
enterprise-grade voice quality without a
large up-front or long-term investment. The
advanced calling features can help small
businesses improve productivity, customer
responsiveness and ultimately their bottom
line. SMBs can upgrade with additional lines
and features, such as unified messaging and
conferencing.
Service providers can help SMBs assess
their network connections, test to see how
many lines the company can support and list
the steps necessary to implement an
effective VoIP solution. Once the network is
ready, the SMB only needs to purchase the
desired end devices, such as IP phones or
softphones. The solution provider provides
the technology, services and customer
support, allowing small businesses to take
advantage of leading-edge technology, while
the hosted solutions provider handles the
equipment and maintenance.
SMBs should look for a reputable hosted
VoIP provider, as the range of VoIP
providers and services varies widely, and
the transition from traditional telephony to
VoIP requires some professional support from
the hosted provider.
Russ Warner is vice president of
sales for Alianza, Linden, Utah.
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