Ah, the trials and tribulations of small business communication. You may have read about the PSTN switch-off , rendering traditional telephony useless, as making calls using the internet becomes the new norm for everyone. This isn’t a fear mongering post, although we would like to remind you that everyone is going to be in the same boat, so if you leave any telephone changes until the last minute, you’re likely going to find yourself in a queue, as IT providers work at capacity to try and make necessary phone system changes and upgrades close to the deadline.
As well as rethinking the technical side of your telephone systems, it’s also a great time to consider how you want phone use to look across your business. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, and it means using the internet to make and receive calls. It really is the swiss army knife of business communication, and while there are many things great about its use, one of the most useful and transformative, is being able to make VoIP calls from mobile phones using an app.
Using Microsoft Teams as a phone system >>
Not only does this make it a fantastic solution for flexible working, or for professions that require being out-and-about quite a lot (we see you, estate agents and recruiters!) it simply means no-one has to be tied to their desks, due to that being where the telephone handsets are. If something unexpected comes along, say, a pandemic – by installing the app on to everyone’s mobile phones, you’ve got yourself a low-cost, flexible, and easy-to-use system, keeping your team connected, despite not all working from the same office.
Not just for iPhones, VoIP pairs well with any modern smartphone. Like peanut butter and jam, sausages and mash, Ant & Dec… you get the idea. And that’s not the only benefit.
Benefits of installing VoIP on your smartphone
No need for hardware purchases
Say goodbye to clunky, static desk phones and hello to the flexible wonders of mobile apps. With VoIP set up in this way, your team can make and receive business calls from the palm of their hand. By utilising your existing tech, you’ll be saving both money and time.
Flexibility
Whether you’re in the office, at home, out onsite, or lounging on a beach in Bali (hey, it’s February, business owners can dream) VoIP has your back. It can be configured for voicemails to be delivered straight to your inbox, so you’ll never miss a beat – or important call – again. You can also redirect calls out of hours for the best work/home life balance.
Scalability – to infinity and beyond!
Okay, so infinity and beyond might be a slight exaggeration, but gone are the days of shelling out big bucks to expand your phone system whenever someone new joins the team. Adding a user to a VoIP system is as simple as a sprinkle of magic IT dust. It also provides a brilliant platform with advanced features, allowing small businesses to provide a big business level of customer service, allowing them to compete with larger competitors.
Really, the era of VoIP is upon us! If you’re still skeptical of the best features of VoIP or the benefits of utilising your existing tech through digital phone systems, fear not, we’re just a phone call away to help you take your communication potential to new heights.
