Switching to VoIP can reduce your calling costs by up to 50%.
The telephone remains a tried-and-true method of business communication. It’s crucial, so you should choose the one that best fits your business needs.
But are you getting the most out of your current phone system, or just overpaying for an outdated solution?
This edition of our cost reduction series addresses common concerns SMB owners have about upgrading traditional phone systems and how voice over internet protocol (VoIP) systems can optimize your return on investment (ROI).
What is an LEC System?
A local exchange carrier (LEC) is a company that provides legacy telephone services, including local numbers, toll-free numbers, SIP trunking, and inbound and outbound services for domestic and international use. These entities have typically invested considerable time and money in deploying local infrastructure, including switches, copper wires, and fiber-optic cables to serve local residents and businesses.
In a business setting, an LEC system delivers a direct line for each employee. The standard set up might see a secretary responsible for routing calls as they come in via a mobile device or landline. These systems were helpful in the past, but are now outdated because there are more cost-efficient alternatives that make doing business easier.
Why Do Businesses Hesitate to Upgrade Voice Systems?
What really holds SMB owners back from upgrading from an LEC system? Let’s take a look at some of the more common hesitations:
- Knowledge of the upsides
Sometimes it’s that they aren’t fully aware of the benefits. They might not realize that newer systems can integrate with existing business applications and devices, for example, or that they offer enhanced features such as voicemail-to-email transcription. - Cost issues
Or business leaders may be concerned about switching costs. What will you need to spend on software, hardware, and installation? How about the ongoing cost associated with support, maintenance, and potential staff training? The good news is that upgrading your voice system is not as expensive as you might think, and will ultimately save you money long term. - Potential interruptions
What about downtime? Couldn’t the upgrade process disrupt communication and productivity in the workplace? Every minute of downtime today costs SMBs $427, according to some estimates. That figure can quickly add up during a prolonged outage. So it’s a valid concern.
Upgrading your voice system doesn’t have to disrupt business as usual. You can continue using the traditional service as your VoIP service provider sets up your new system, for example. You can also keep existing phone numbers or forward calls to your new VoIP numbers, ensuring that customers or suppliers reach you seamlessly.
Switching to VoIP may require employees to learn new processes, interfaces, or even workflows,and this may be met with resistance. It’s best to bring everyone on board as early as possible, explain why the upgrade is necessary, and frame the benefits in terms of how it impacts users. It’s easier for your employees to get on board when the change is about increasing their productivity.
Upgrading will require time, money, and effort, but the opportunity cost of sticking with traditional LEC systems is far greater. Talk with a reliable VoIP provider for an optimum solution.
Key Benefits of Switching to VoIP
A VoIP phone system allows you to make calls over the internet. Here’s why it might be a good fit for your operations:
- Additional capabilities
One of the main reasons businesses upgrade to VoIP is for enhanced communications ability, which helps streamline your business processes with voicemail-to-email, unified messaging, and call auditing, among other features. - Cost reduction
You can also considerably reduce your cost by consolidating the number of lines you have. SMBs that switch to VoIP spend close to $0 on setup and save between 30% and 50% on their monthly phone bills, according to some estimates. - Better integration
Some systems can integrate mobile devices using VoIP. This allows employees to be accessible during emergencies or power outages. - They scale with you
Adding a new location, department, or user can be done easily and in real-time via a remote online control panel. Pricing is also scalable and predictable, as you don’t have to run additional phone lines as your business expands.
Get Started with VoIP
If you’re looking for a cost-efficient solution that provides all the capabilities needed to enhance communication with customers while also boosting your team’s productivity, a VoIP phone system may be the ideal choice.
Attentus VoIP phone solutions deliver highly reliable audio and wideband quality, with a range of streamlined features to meet all your communication needs. From automated attendants to call screening and custom transfer options, we can help you build the ultimate phone system for your business.
Book a custom consultation to get started with VoIP.
