VoIP Business Phone System - the Equalizer

A decision to install a VoIP business phone system may result in unanticipated consequences. It can lead to the transformation of a business and the adoption of an entirely new business model. VoIP is far more than simply another piece of office equipment, it's a communication channel that's no less significant than email or the Web.

A VoIP business phone system can reduce or even eliminate barriers to communication and increase the effectiveness of the phone in its role as a business tool. Communication is the life blood of business. Increase the frequency and ease of communication and the volume of business will inevitably increase. The power of the VoIP phone call should not be under estimated.

Historically the advent of PSTN technology was responsible for an enormous growth in the volume of business and trade. It facilitated business to business relationships beyond the confines of a town, city or region. These benefits were mainly enjoyed by big business because long distance calls were prohibitively expensive for individuals and small business.

The cost of making long distance PSTN telephone calls is still an obstacle to business communication despite deregulation and increased competition between telecoms. In response businesses commonly restrict access to long distance calling "privileges" and install call accounting systems to monitor "frivolous" use of business phone systems.

The advent of robust VoIP phone systems made cheap long distance phone calls a reality. No need to think twice about whether an international phone call could be justified. No need to restrict access to international dialing.

See: What are SIP Trunks?

But there is more to VoIP than simply cheap phone calls. Once the cost barriers to communication are removed the world becomes a lot smaller and new business opportunities emerge.

The VoIP Business Phone System - a prerequisite for business agility

VoIP technology operates as an equalizer at multiple levels.

1. A hosted VoIP business phone service involves little if any capital expenditure. It's a model that is ideal for small and medium sized businesses. It involves nominal capital outlay and requires no expertise to administer.


2. A small business, even a SOHO operation can project a big company image via the facilities available from a VoIP business solution.


3. A VoIP business phone system is an ideal compliment to an active presence on the web. As the cost of long distance calls is reduced or eliminated, even a SOHO business operator can access global markets. The combination of an Internet presence and VoIP business solutions eliminate the major obstacles to operating a global business.


4. VoIP technology is the foundation upon which many virtual business are built. Small businesses use VoIP and email to interact with virtual assistants and outsourcing partners wherever they are located. VoIP eliminates many of the the advantages that multi-nationals had in tapping into low cost labour markets in Asia and elsewhere.


5. Traditionally only big business could afford to use advanced telephone services such as call centers. That is no longer the case. Thanks to technology and especially the VoIP business phone system, call centers can be located anywhere there is a low cost educated labour market. As a consequence these services can now be used by small and medium size enterprises based anywhere in the world.

VoIP business solutions can help overcome many of the accepted obstacles to competing with big business. There are now endless opportunities for using this technology to level the playing field and demonstrate just how agile a small business can be.

See also: VoIP Pros and Cons - the debate

See: Skype for Business

Top of VoIP Business Phone System - the Equalizer