There are many benefits that come with an upgrade to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), including reduced costs, scalability, and advanced features. These advantages are all measurable and immediate, but the bigger impact comes from those opportunities for disruptive innovation that are shaping the evolution of VoIP.
Many enterprises first adopt VoIP as a way to innovate without a big initial investment. VoIP requires little or no hardware installation, and because it’s invoiced in a subscription format, the cost can be categorized as an operating expense. What begins as a way to trim the communications budget becomes a broader strategy for disrupting business processes with the evolution of VoIP:
Supporting mobility: As remote workers become more numerous, enterprises are looking for communications solutions that integrate well with existing cell phones. A VoIP system can work with any mobile device, as long as the user has a valid login and an internet connection. From any device, employees can access the same tools and features that they would on an in-house phone.
Integration with apps: The user-friendliness of the iPhone has shifted expectations to a more seamless technology experience. Employees want to be able to work without logging in and out of different applications, and taking it a step further, they want their applications to be integrated. This is becoming more and more possible with application programming interfaces (APIs), and it will enable enterprises to improve productivity.
The foundation of unified communications: One of the core drivers of the evolution of VoIP is the development of unified communications (UC), which offers advanced features and the integration of all communication formats, as well as shared workspaces and tools that cut travel costs. Virtual teams can collaborate through video conferencing and file sharing, all but removing geographic considerations from the hiring process. The collaborative tools available through UC enable faster decision-making with real-time communications and an enhanced customer experience.
Excellent call quality: What has largely driven the evolution of VoIP from a niche technology that emerged two decades ago and was accessed for a few home offices is that the voice quality has significantly improved. Technologies like HD Voice have created a high level of performance for VoIP calls that remove any prior concerns about call quality.
As businesses reach the end of contracts for their traditional private branch exchange (PBX) systems, many are considering VoIP. The value that they find in the basic features and benefits are attractive, but it’s the disruptive innovation surrounding UC, mobility, and integration that is pushing the growth of VoIP.
For more information about VoIP and how its value might shape new opportunities for your enterprise, contact us at Access Tech.
For more insights on this topic: