VoIP uses the Internet to route your calls to any telephone at a fraction of the cost of a traditional phone call.

There’s no doubt that economic times are still tough. In the UK, SMEs are continuing to face the challenges of an uncertain market and having to keep a careful watch on their financial bottom line.

For organisations that spend a lot of time on the phone, telecoms can account for a significant portion of operational expenditure. Monthly phone bills can be high — particularly if you have a number of home or mobile workers. Throw in the occasional system upgrade and additional lines as your business grows, and your telephony costs can soon get out-of-hand.

In an era when the Internet has transformed written business communication; most SMEs are still tied to telephone networks that have not changed much in 100 years. But, increasingly, businesses are turning to Voice over IP (VoIP) telephony. VoIP uses the Internet to route your calls to any telephone, anywhere in the world — at a fraction of the cost of a traditional phone call. It’s estimated that, within the next ten years, 90% of telephone calls worldwide will be made using VoIP, but there is no reason why you should not begin taking advantage of this technology today.

The benefits

VoIP offers advanced telephony features usually only found on high-end phone systems, giving SMEs the tools to compete more effectively with their larger competitors. Functionality such as audio conferencing, call recording and IVRs (Interactive Virtual Receptionists) that automatically route calls to the correct department will enable you to work smarter than your competitors and give the impression of a larger, more professional organisation.

VoIP is also extremely scalable. SIP channels (the VoIP equivalent of telephone lines) can be easily added and removed as required, and additional phone numbers can also be enabled. These numbers are not tied to your local telephone exchange, so you can select a phone number with almost any UK or International area code — giving your local business International reach.

Furthermore VoIP is not just limited to the office. You can use a special SIM card to extend your VoIP network to any 3G mobile phone, meaning you can carry your desk phone in your pocket. This is ideal for staff that spend a lot of time on the road, home workers or any employee that does not want to be tied to their desk. And because you are linked directly to your VoIP network, there are no expensive mobile phone bills.

But the most attractive benefit to a lot of SMEs will be the economic one. VoIP call tariffs and SIP channels cost significantly lower than their traditional counterparts. The average SME can save at least 50% by switching to VoIP, with many saving a whole lot more.  

Five points to consider before switching to VoIP

• Review the telecommunication requirements of your staff: Look at the number of staff that are desk bound and will benefit from access to a ‘mobile fixed line’. The ability to roam or work from home with an office phone line can give staff more freedom to do their job.

• Look at your annual telephone and bill: This is a great time to take a quick health check of your telecommunications costs and look at the number of mobile and International calls that have been made. Switching to VoIP can save at least 50% compared to standard BT tariffs.  An audit is a quick and easy process which could potentially save you hundreds of pounds in 2012.

• Cut through the jargon: Don’t be frightened by VoIP and the technical jargon. VoIP telephony is basically a telephone system designed to deliver voice communication over the Internet. It’s efficient, fast and reliable – and more importantly it’s seamless for your staff, customers and prospects.

• Consider your growth plans: VoIP is a scalable solution that grows with your business, and a range of VoIP numbers for various destinations can help you expand your operations beyond your immediate location. Not all VoIP solutions are equal. Choose a system that offers additional functionality without extra cost.  

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions: Good telecommunications vendors should be able to connect you with an existing customer who can talk about their own experiences.