Productivity Calling VoIP Can Dial In Rewards for Your Growing Business Your company’s IP network already enables your employees to use the internet, e-mail and web resources on the job. But did you know the very same technology can help your company save money — by transmitting phone calls through voice data in packets using IP rather than a traditional phone line? If your company is like many SMBs, you’re on a fast track of growth but want to keep your business expenses from running amuck. One way to achieve both goals is through a robust technology called Voice over IP (VoIP). This technology was once touted as a solution of the future, and today is already proving its worth for many SMBs seeking to prepare for the future. What exactly is VoIP? Lower Cost In fact, once you consider the reduced hardware, software and maintenance costs — not to mention the reduced network management costs — it’s easy to see why many companies show an average time-to-payback of less than two years, with some achieving return on investment immediately upon implementation. Plus, VoIP infrastructures can often be self-managed, saving your company the high charges for telephone technicians to perform phone additions, moves and service. What’s more, VoIP solutions can be deployed using cost-effective integrated appliances that combine the features of today’s popular routers, switches and security appliances — many of which are priced for SMBs. Reduced Travel Expenses IT Labor Savings Plus, a converged network is simpler to manage, freeing the time of support staff from routine maintenance to projects that deliver more substantial strategic and operational value. And since you increase the productivity of your current labor resources, you can manage a larger network with the same number of personnel — and poise your company for future growth. Better Functionality For instance, software applications like unified messaging, presence status and web integration can lead to more efficient collaboration between employees and better business processes company-wide. For example, VoIP technology can enable mobile workers to access voice features from wireless hot spots and increase workgroup effectiveness through easy audioconferencing and videoconferencing. When integrated with a customer relationship management (CRM) solution, VoIP can even improve the customer experience by enabling your employees to view past purchases, history and service issues. Faster Deployment Unlike traditional PBX systems that require manual labor every time your company adds a line or moves an employee, VoIP installations are relatively simple — and can be completed in just a day or two. Compared to traditional phone systems, software-based VoIP solutions are more easily upgraded and scaled across an expanding number of users, which is another big plus for growth-minded SMBs. Higher Customer Satisfaction Companies equipped with VoIP technology and unified messaging (UM) software, however, can eliminate the hassles of phone tag by communicating the employee’s availability and alternate contact information. Whether he or she is working at home or sitting in an airport terminal, the customer can know when to expect a return call — and rest assured their call is a priority. VoIP technology can even enable your company to create an automated telephone attendant that simulates an internal call center — at a much lower cost than a real call center with live labor resources. This not only saves time and money, it improves customer satisfaction through better call handling and responsiveness. Improved Employee Productivity Busy employees appreciate this mobility, because they can tap into their phone calls regardless of where they are. Plus, by integrating CRM data, employees can actually resolve customer issues more quickly, further shortening phone calls and increasing their efficiency. A Growing Number of Hardware Options For this investment, the office could gain the basic plug-and-play functionality of VoIP, including the ability to make phone calls, generate conference calls on the fly, and increase videoconferencing to save on travel expenses. If you’re ready to jump in the game with VoIP — or to take your investigation of VoIP to the next step — we can help you develop a business case for deploying VoIP and other advanced networking technologies. By evaluating your current network and individual business needs, we can help you decide if this exciting technology is right for you. You may find that IP communications is just the technology to profitably take your business well into the future. Call us today. |
Carl Mazzanti is Co-Founder and President of eMazzanti Technologies, Microsoft’s four time Partner of the Year and one of the premier IT consulting services for businesses throughout the New York metropolitan area and internationally. Carl and his company manage over 400 active accounts ranging from professional services firms to high-end global retailers.
eMazzanti is all about delivering powerful, efficient outsourced IT services, such as computer network management and troubleshooting, managed print, PCI DSS compliance, green computing, mobile workforce technology, information security, cloud computing, and business continuity and disaster recovery.
Carl Mazzanti is also a frequent business conference speaker and technology talk show guest and contributor at Microsoft-focused events, including frequent prominent roles at the Microsoft Inspire (Worldwide Partner Conference / WPC).
Carl, a serial Entrepreneur, gives back to the community through Entrepreneur teaching engagements at Georgetown University, the company’s ocean wildlife conservation effort, the Blue Project, and Tree Mazzanti.