There are many reasons why using a VoIP phone system in your office is beneficial, however, there are several aspects of VoIP you should consider before deciding that VoIP is right for your office. Most problems you may experience with a VoIP system can be easily avoided if you are aware of them in advance.
Here are a few things to think about before you decide which VoIP Provider is right for your office:
Security – Because calls are transmitted over the Internet, a digital phone system may allow for hackers to tap into your calls and eavesdrop on your conversations. This may be a cause for concern for your business, but, there are ways to make your call connections secure. You can speak to your VoIP service provider if you feel the need to take security precautions.
Power outages – If the power goes out of you lose your Internet connection, you will not have the ability to use your phone. One way you can avoid this problem is to have a backup phone line that utilizes a traditional phone network that doesn’t rely on power. Some companies will use both a digital and VoIP phone system to ensure that communication is never lost. And, having a good IT staff can prevent or quickly repair any problems that can result from a computer crashing or the Internet going down.
Packet loss – Too much traffic on your network can result in packet loss, which can cause dropped calls or poor sound quality. This is something to consider, however, as previously mentioned, a VoIP service provider should be able to test your network to ensure that it can handle increased amounts of traffic.
Calling 911 – Placing an emergency call to 911 can be difficult when using a VoIP phone system. Because the Internet is used, 911 dispatchers have a hard time locating the origin of the call, which means they will not be able to send emergency services to the proper location. Some VoIP service providers will offer the E911 feature, which sends information about your location to 911 operators when a 911 call is placed. You can talk to your service provider about this option, or, you can choose to have an additional PSTN line from which you can make 911 calls from.
Although VoIP has its potential downfalls, they can all be remedied or prepared for in advance. Consulting your Voice over IP provider about your options is one of the best ways to prevent any problems with your phone system from occurring.
