In the year 2019, it’s no longer a secret that VoIP can help businesses save money. The latest numbers show that small businesses can cut their bills by 50%-75%, thanks to VoIP [1]. The cost savings don’t even take into account the additional benefits such as increased productivity and effective collaboration!
Is VoIP Working for Your Business?
Just having the potential to cut costs means nothing if it doesn’t translate into reality. Unfortunately, not every business that switches to VoIP experiences all the benefits. Quite a few companies are not satisfied with their current provider. Maybe you’re not seeing the savings that the vendor promised.
Some companies find that they have to spend quite a bit to upgrade their infrastructure for VoIP. Upgrade costs, training costs, replacing older hardware etc. can all add up to the total, pushing the project beyond budget.
Or you have a feeling that you could be doing more with your system but your vendor isn’t up to the task. Your employees complain that audio quality is not good. You’ve experienced long hours of downtime and you’re afraid that your vendor isn’t reliable. Your customers are not able to have proper conversations with your service department.
The bottom line is that you are not impressed with VoIP at all.
Maybe It Is Time to Switch
If you have experienced any of these problems, you might be thinking that VoIP is not worth the effort. Here’s a little secret – the problem isn’t with the technology, it’s with your provider. VoIP has come a long way since launch. The industry has matured and there is no doubt that it is the future of voice communication.
But not all providers in the industry are equal. Naturally, some are better than others when it comes to providing reliable, high-quality voice services to enterprise clients. A business that has experience in consumer VoIP is not necessarily the best choice for a small business. Enterprise VoIP is a completely different beast.
Switching Service Providers
That being said, it’s not always easy to switch. Some vendors make it hard for customers to leave by insisting on proprietary hardware or locking them into contracts. But switching to a better vendor will be worth it in the long run. Here’s what you should consider when switching VoIP service providers:
Can You Bring Your Numbers?
Check with your new service provider if they can port your existing business numbers. Why should you go to the hassle of getting new numbers? Number porting is quick, easy and costs you almost nothing. Thanks to FCC rules, providers cannot hold your number hostage for unpaid bills or any other reason.
Downtime during the Switch
No matter how carefully you plan the switch, you will have some downtime. Just to be on the safe side, do not disconnect your old service until your new service has started to work. Make sure you have backup options in place – such as a few landlines or mobile devices for employees to continue working.
Losing Your Data/Devices
Even before you make the switch, confirm with your service provider that you can take all your data with you. Communication data includes things like voicemails, phone records, data analytics, reports, bills, etc.
Beware of vendor lock-in i.e. not being able to take your data with you for any reason. Some vendors use nonstandard protocols that are not compatible with other services. Others may even demand a fee for exporting your data.
Verify that your new service provider will not block you in the same way if you ever want to leave.
How Can Connect it Networks Help?
When selecting a new VoIP service provider, look beyond the price and features they offer. Customer service and tech support are two factors that many companies overlook. You want a provider that can help you achieve your business goals.
That’s where we come in. At CIN, we believe in delivering the best VoIP experience. It means more than offering the lowest price. We make sure you keep your current business numbers. We’ll even contact your old vendor and ensure the process goes smoothly for you.
Connect it Networks uses the industry-standard SIP protocol that’s compatible with most equipment. So you never have to worry about buying new phones. You can continue using the same hardware as before. There are no contracts to sign up or software licenses to purchase. All the changes happen behind the scenes. You don’t have to worry about downtime. You can stay in touch with your customers throughout the transition.
So what are you waiting for? On more from your VoIP service, contact us today. Get ready to experience high-quality audio and reliable phone service for your enterprise!
Sources:
- https://blog.jive.com/how-much-money-can-you-save-switching-hosted-voip/