Over the past week we have been contacted by a large number of clients and network connections who have needed some advice on how to pick a new supplier of VoIP technology, due to changes in their supply chain.
IT Document Solutions Limited
through our sister company
ITDS Managed Services
have over 30 years experience in delivering unified communications, business class connectivity, and telephone systems across all sectors of business.
When we advise our clients we consider the following:
1. Cost-Effectiveness
- Pricing Structure: Companies assess the cost of VoIP services, including setup fees, monthly subscriptions, international call rates, and hidden charges.
- Scalability: They look for flexible pricing models that can scale as their business grows or contracts.
2. Features and Functionality
- Core Features: Businesses often need call forwarding, voicemail, video conferencing, automated attendants, and call routing.
- Advanced Features: Companies may also require integrations with CRM systems, call analytics, call recording, and virtual numbers.
3. Call Quality and Reliability
- Voice Quality: High-quality, clear audio is critical. Businesses will assess whether the VoIP provider ensures minimal lag, jitter, or call drops.
- Service Uptime: Companies seek providers with excellent uptime guarantees (often aiming for 99.99%) to ensure reliable communication.
4. Customer Support
- Availability: Many companies prioritize providers that offer 24/7 customer support to handle any technical issues or outages swiftly.
- Local Presence: Some businesses prefer providers with a local or regional support presence for faster, personalized service.
5. Security
- Data Encryption: Sussex businesses, like others, prioritize the security of their communications. Providers offering end-to-end encryption and secure communication protocols are often favored.
- Compliance: Compliance with GDPR and other regulatory standards is a key consideration, particularly for businesses handling sensitive data.
6. Integration with Existing Systems
- Compatibility: Companies look for VoIP systems that integrate smoothly with their existing hardware, software (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace), and infrastructure (e.g., CRM, ERP systems).
7. Ease of Use
- User-Friendly Interface: The usability of both the administrative and user interfaces is important. A VoIP system that's easy to configure and manage without extensive IT expertise is often a priority.
- Training and Onboarding: Providers that offer training and support during the transition phase are attractive to companies seeking a smooth migration.
8. Mobility and Remote Work Capabilities
- Mobile Access: In the wake of remote work, many companies now prioritize VoIP providers that offer strong mobile apps or softphone capabilities so employees can work seamlessly from any location.
- Unified Communications: Providers offering a unified communications platform (video, messaging, and voice in one system) are appealing to businesses that want an all-in-one solution.
9. Scalability and Flexibility
- Growth Potential: Companies assess how easy it is to add or remove users, adjust service plans, or expand features as the business evolves.
10. Provider Reputation
- Reviews and Case Studies: Businesses often look for testimonials, reviews, or case studies from other companies (particularly those in similar industries) that have used the VoIP provider.
- Track Record: Longevity, reliability, and the market reputation of the provider play a big role in decision-making.
11. Trial and Demonstrations
- Free Trials: Companies often prefer VoIP providers that offer free trials or demonstrations so they can test the system and evaluate how it works in their own environment before making a commitment.
The message we have wanted to put across this week is simple:
ITDS Managed Services
is here to help!
Contact our expert [email protected]
to discuss the options available to you.
Print and Document Management Consultancy
2 个月Excellent helpful post ...