What is Hosted VoIP?
When you think of making phone calls, you probably don’t give much thought to the technology that makes the call possible. In a traditional phone system, analog voice calls are transferred over a network of copper wires. With the evolution of technology, hosted VoIP the process of making phone calls has stepped into the digital age.
What is Hosted VoIP: in-Depth
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a term that refers to making phone calls over the internet. This technology relies on existing internet protocols to function.
How Does it Work?
There are several components involved in making VoIP successful. Each of these items must work in conjunction to ensure proper communication.
Data Packets
Information is sent over the information in what is known as packets of data.
Internet Protocol
IP stands for Internet Protocol, which is a standard protocol for how data packets get transmitted over a network.
Network Cabling
Cabling used for VoIP is different than that used by traditional phone lines. VoIP relies on internet cabling, which most offices already have installed.
Routers
A router is a device that takes data packets and sends them out to the internet to the required destination.
Putting it All Together
When you place a VoIP call, the analog signal gets converted into digital packets of information. Those packets of data are sent over the internet using your company’s existing cabling and routers. The packets use rules established by the internet protocol to ensure the packets of data get appropriately routed and able to be read by the receiving party.
What Are the Benefits of Hosted VoIP?
Hosted VoIP represents vast strides in telephony. This technology comes with many benefits you won’t find in a traditional phone system.
Inexpensive
With hosted VoIP, there is no expensive equipment to purchase, as is the case with traditional phone systems. With a conventional phone system, companies are often required to invest in equipment such as desk phones, routing/PBX equipment and potentially the installation of copper wiring to support the phone system. Setting up a hosted VoIP system comes at a fraction of the cost, as there is no additional equipment to purchase or install to get started.
Ease of Installation
There is no need to install additional cabling or equipment for a VoIP phone system. Internet calls are routed over existing Cat 5/6 cabling and routers.
Additionally, calls can be made with what is known as “softphones.” A softphone is a device that isn’t exactly a phone, but has the ability to make a call using a application installed on it, such as a laptop or desktop computer.
Highly Portable
Traditionally, moving offices required significant work to transfer the equipment and service to the new location. VoIP simply requires an existing internet connection. Thus, moving to a new location merely requires connecting to the internet.
Flexible
Adding phone lines to an analog system requires purchasing a new desk phone and installation of cabling to support the new phone. VoIP allows you to add new users/employees to the phone system via a digital dashboard. From your dashboard, you can add the new user, set up their voicemail and configure a host of additional options, which we’ll discuss later.
Enhances Office Workflow
Never lose sight of important voicemails when you route messages to your email. That way, you can get your voicemail on any device that supports email. Configuring voicemail to email routing is a s simple as configuring the option in your system’s online dashboard.
When you want to make sure you don’t miss a call while out of the office, VoIP systems allow you to forward calls to your cell phone. Setup is as simple as installing an app on your smartphone.
Collaboration Tools
VoIP phone systems empowers employees with the tools they need to collaborate effectively and efficiently. Conferencing calling allows you to establish conference calls with unlimited dial-in users. Additionally, many VoIP systems provide a video conferencing feature to help facilitate more effective communication. Additionally, many systems also feature instant messaging which helps employees stay in contact throughout the day.
Music on Hold
It can be frustrating enough for customers when they are placed on hold. Provide a more pleasant experience by creating custom music interludes for them to enjoy while waiting. You can also record custom messages to deliver important company news or updates for customers to listen to while on hold.
How to Implement Hosted VoIP
Establishing a hosted VoIP service is a straightforward process. The process is significantly shorter than that of a traditional phone system.
Assessing Current Network
As we mentioned, internet calling works with your existing network equipment. As long as you have a valid internet connection, setup is relatively simple. However, your service provider will want to assess your equipment to ensure your network can handle the system.
Bandwith
First, the provider evaluates the bandwidth of your network. Bandwidth refers to how much data your system can transmit at any given time. If your network does not have enough bandwidth, you run the risk of not being able to make or receive phone calls. Additionally, you may experience issues with dropped calls.
Packet Jitter
It is important for VoIP data packets to be sent and received in a continuous stream. It is also important for them to be received in the same order in which they were sent. When there is a mishap in either of those two areas, you may experience what is known as packet jitter. This phenomenon is what causes the “robot voice” you may hear when talking into a VoIP phone system.
Enhances Office Workflow
Never lose sight of important voicemails when you route messages to your email. That way, you can get your voicemail on any device that supports email. Configuring voicemail to email routing is a s simple as configuring the option in your system’s online dashboard.
When you want to make sure you don’t miss a call while out of the office, VoIP systems allow you to forward calls to your cell phone. Setup is as simple as installing an app on your smartphone.
Collaboration Tools
VoIP phone systems empowers employees with the tools they need to collaborate effectively and efficiently. Conferencing calling allows you to establish conference calls with unlimited dial-in users. Additionally, many VoIP systems provide a video conferencing feature to help facilitate more effective communication. Additionally, many systems also feature instant messaging which helps employees stay in contact throughout the day.
Music on Hold
It can be frustrating enough for customers when they are placed on hold. Provide a more pleasant experience by creating custom music interludes for them to enjoy while waiting. You can also record custom messages to deliver important company news or updates for customers to listen to while on hold.
How to Implement Hosted VoIP
Establishing a hosted VoIP service is a straightforward process. The process is significantly shorter than that of a traditional phone system.
Assessing Current Network
As we mentioned, internet calling works with your existing network equipment. As long as you have a valid internet connection, setup is relatively simple. However, your service provider will want to assess your equipment to ensure your network can handle the system.
Bandwith
First, the provider evaluates the bandwidth of your network. Bandwidth refers to how much data your system can transmit at any given time. If your network does not have enough bandwidth, you run the risk of not being able to make or receive phone calls. Additionally, you may experience issues with dropped calls.
Packet Jitter
It is important for VoIP data packets to be sent and received in a continuous stream. It is also important for them to be received in the same order in which they were sent. When there is a mishap in either of those two areas, you may experience what is known as packet jitter. This phenomenon is what causes the “robot voice” you may hear when talking into a VoIP phone system.
Quality of Service (QoS)
Quality of Service (QoS) refers to a routers ability to ensure quality data transmission by assigning a priority to each packet of data. Without any real priority, the network can become congested with traffic (which can also lead to packet jitter). The provider will ensure that VoIP calls are given a higher priority over other data to help ensure the highest possible call quality.
Lastly, the hosted VoIP provider will make sure that your router can handle the amount of voice traffic coming from your network.
Configuring the System
Configuring the system is often a matter of assigning logins to the web interface used to manage the system. From the dashboard, you can configure your system for your needs.
Training
There is very little training required to use VoIP. The dashboard is a web interface that usually has a clear layout to help you navigate the system. Any training necessary would be to learn how to configure the advanced features of the system.
VoIP has come a long way in the quality of calls and number of features over the last few years. When your business depends on being able to communicate over the phone, it’s best to let the professionals evaluate your company’s readiness for VoIP. Bristeeri offers free assessments to help you get started.