PROS AND CONS OF USING A VOIP PHONE

SYSTEM FOR BUSINESS

VoIP means Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP can be hosted. Voice over Internet

Protocol (VoIP), also called IP telephony, is a method and group of technologies

for the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet

Protocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet. VoIP refer to the provisioning of

communications services (voice, fax, SMS, voice-messaging) over the Internet.

VoIP can be self-hosted or hosted by thirty-party companies named Internet

Service Providers (ISP).

If it's self-hosted, you will need Private Branch Exchange (PBX) equipment, and

this kind of communication system is called Hosted PBX.

A PBX system is capable of connecting many traditional landline telephones. It's a

self-managed system. It offers both internal and external call features.

If hosted by ISP, management and other professional activities will be handled by

the company, and you will need to subscribe to monthly or yearly plans.

In the same vein, this type of communication service is called VoIP Phone System.

The benefits of VoIP system over traditional landline which requires expensive

hardware equipment will be thoroughly discussed.

As a small business owner, you will need to consider a communication service that

is cost-saving and affordable.

What is a VoIP phone system?

It's a cloud-based communication system that allows users to chat through an

internet connection where an analog voice signal is converted to a digital signal.

Every service offered is based on the cloud.

Typical Examples Of VoIP

*Aircall

*WhatsApp

*Google Hangouts

*Skype

*Facebook Messenger

*Zoiper

*Viber (etc.)

SOFTPHONE

A softphone is a software program that allows users to call and communicate over

the internet.

Softphones are flexible and are a significant part of VoIP, and they can be installed

into computers or tablets, or smartphones for business transactions.

WebRTC

WebRTC is software that enables voice and video communications on web pages.

It's cloud-based and consists of interrelated APIs and protocols that enhance its

function.

WebRTC offers professional supports such as reduced costs, secure chat, toll-free

numbers, and a better user experience by integrating video, messaging, and voice

with web-based services.

Therefore, WebRTC has better services to offer. It's offering a telephony service to

end-users or clients.

Users will be able to access their VoIP services while on the move. And by

deploying a WebRTC gateway, end-users would access the Session Initiation

Protocol (SIP) based hosted PBX and call centers without switching services.
The service provider's WebRTC gateway handles incoming calls being directed to

the company's website. These incoming WebRTC calls would be structured into

SIP calls and the calls become routed to the company.

PROS OF VoIP

As a VoIP service provider, we can state many things here, i.e., the VoIP system's

advantages over traditional landline or copper line phones.

(A) Reduced Costs

In terms of cost, VoIP service is economical and affordable for large and small

businesses, especially in United State of America, and Canada.

Every business will always want to consider a cost-saving service that offers the

best quality. In any organization or business, if the cost is not cheaper or

affordable, there will be little or no gain.

For instance, a landline phone system costs $50 each month while a VoIP phone

system costs less than $20.

(B) Easy Remote Work and Collaboration

Choosing VoIP allows employees to stay connected while working remotely

around the globe.

VoIP offers document sharing, text messaging, call waiting, video and audio

conferencing, Internal chatting, call recording, call waiting or queuing, call

tracking, mobile app, and others, which traditional phone service can't provide. CIS

will support your business with these VoIP system features.

These features also increase employee productivity by 33% and lower the office

and utility bills.

Any business can annually save $20,000 per remote employee by opting for VoIP

service.

If it's 50% work from home, about $10,000 is saved according to a recent Global

Workplace Analytics analysis.

(C) Movability

A VoIP or Virtual Number is transferrable. It means that you can travel to any part

of the world to stay and use the same Number.

(D) Obtainability

Obtainability is an excellent benefit of VoIP for business. VoIP enables worldwide

communication.
It brings enormous growth to enterprises or small firms because customers can

locate your business across the globe.

Assuming you are busy answering calls, you can channel those calls to your

remote business ambassadors or get voicemails sent to your mail. It also enables

work from home employees to have substantial tendencies to resume working

early, and working with little or no supervision, which will support your business

in growing fast.

(E) Adaptability

VoIP is adjustable as a cloud-based system that is more economical to run a

business.

VoIP is conveniently adaptable to other devices and Employees are under

obligation to use their mobile labs or smartphones to work for you, except you

determine to provide the mobile labs for them.

A significant number of employers worldwide would want their remote workers to

use the VoIP tools at their disposal. This is to enhance productivity and the

organization's core objectives for acquiring the services.

None of the business owners may like to squander their capital on non-paramount

issues.

Some businesses in the United State of America work remote especially during this

pandemic.

(F) Voice Standard

VoIP calls become clear and standard without interruptions or unnecessary

distortions. When there is good and reliable Internet connection the voice will be

clear and loud.

When selecting a VoIP service provider, it is advisable for business owners to

consult an expert to get reliable and best VoIP network provider.

Service provider companies also contribute enormously to having broadband and

stable internet connections.

Service providers should note here that if a client derives satisfaction in a service

or product they offer, they will introduce the service to other company/friends that

needs their service. Some VoIP company prefers to satisfy their client, while some

invest to satisfy their clients. It will turn to Jack brings Jones, and Jones brings

Joseph.

(G) Security Alerts

Every reliable and professional VoIP service provider works robustly to ensure

each client and the business have secured network.

Any business that aims at higher growth needs to employ a workforce, either

online or onsite personnel and there will always be bad apples among the good. So,

VoIP internet service provider (VoIP ISP) must protect their networks and stand

against any distrustful deeds among the employees and to business owners,
securing your phone and business has to do with choosing a security-minded

service provider.

CONS OF VoIP

As VoIP has pros, it also has some cons.

The following downsides are associated with the VoIP system.

*Stable Internet Connection Required

(A) Stable Internet Connection Needed

Without reliable and good Internet, VoIP is good but can't function at all. It will be

like a vehicle without fuel.

VoIP will function well with the internet with at least 100 kbps upload, and 600

kbps download speed with 50 ping ms, which measures the internet connection's

latency and stability.

(B) Latency Interruptions

During each online communication through email or audio, or video, the chat

message will be divided into bits of data called 'data packets. 'The data packets will

then re-group at their intended destinations to form the main message.

So, latency issue occurs when the data packets experience obstacles in properly

getting re-grouped.

The possible obstacles are as follows:

*Poor Internet connection can be solved by reaching out to your Internet Service

Provider (ISP).

*Low-Power Level Ethernet Cables: When low-power level cables are used, VoIP

cannot work perfectly and you can opt for CAT-5 Cables for excellent

functionality.

*Wrong router: a specialized router is required with using VoIP. You must consult

ISP for a proper and compatible router.

Large and small businesses (LABs and SMBs) can conveniently change over from

the traditional landline or copper line telephone system to the VoIP phone system

with reasonable amounts.

Even if you were to extend your VoIP system, it is still more affordable than

Private Branch Exchange (PBX) lines.

ISP PACKAGES COMPARISON

(1) GRASSHOPPER

(a) One Number, 3 Extensions, Price - $26 per month.

(b) Three Numbers, 6 Extensions, Price - $44 per month.

(c) Small Businesses: 5 Numbers, Unlimited Extensions, Price - $80 per month.

(2) BROADVOICE

(a) Metered Seat: $10 / Month/ User.

(b) Standard Plan: $18 / Month/ User.

(c) Pro Seat: $23/ Month/User.

(3) Connexone: $12/Month/User

(4)8×8

(a) Small Business Phone System: $12/Month/User.

(b) All-in-one Voice, Video and Chat, Price: $ 24/Month/ User

(5) CONSUMERINFORMATIONSOLUTIONS (CIS)

(a) VoIP Phone System / Cloud PBX: Unlimited Users, Price: $20

(b) Office Cloud PBX: 1- 50 Users, over 50 Users receive discount rate, Price:

$30 /Month/User

(c) Hosted Contact Center for Agents and Supervisors.

CONCLUSION

Thus, in a comprehensive way, the VoIP phone system has brought sustainable

development and enlargement to both enterprises and SMBs that have adopted it.

So, it is recommended and suitable for all businesses and reliable for connectivity

and it will boost their sales.

REFERENCES

1.  XMPP Federation". Google Talkabout. 2006. Retrieved May 11, 2012.

2. Booth, C (2010). "Chapter 2: IP Phones, Software VoIP, and Integrated and
Mobile VoIP". Library Technology Reports. 46 (5): 11–19.
3. "VoIP". Cambridge Dictionaries Online.
4. ^ Montazerolghaem, Ahmadreza; Moghaddam, Mohammad Hossein
Yaghmaee; Leon-Garcia, Alberto (March 2018). "OpenSIP: Toward
Software-Defined SIP Networking". IEEE Transactions on Network and
Service Management. 15 (1): 184–
 199. arXiv:1709.01320. doi:10.1109/TNSM.2017.2741258. ISSN 1932-
4537.
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_IP