Avoid the Hassle of Device Management and Mobile Service Contracts with VOIP
The way businesses and employees engage with each other as well as their customers has changed dramatically in recent months. Many businesses and their staff were forced to rapidly change their operations and move to work from home situations in a relatively short period. People adapted just as quickly but this often led to some stopgap solutions that were meant to be short term rather than permanent changes.
One of the most common solutions to basic communication challenges was to simply use cell phones. Wireless calls increased as much as 88% at the height of the pandemic shutdown. This was the obvious solution when faced with rapidly expanding shutdowns and little time to adjust or plan. After all, pretty much everyone owns a mobile device these days. However, now that the dust has begun to settle, many businesses are realizing that having employees use their cell phones is not the best solution available.
So, if the trusty cell phone isn’t the answer, then what can people use when they work from home? The answer is voice over internet protocol or VOIP for short.
Keep Costs Low with VOIP
Many businesses have noticed a change to their bottom line due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This could be due to increased costs of doing business or a reduction in business activity. In any case, many companies are looking to reduce costs and become a little leaner for the sake of their survival. VOIP is one way to drastically cut down on the costs of communications management without sacrificing quality or service.
The average cell phone user in the United States spends almost $100 per month for service. For a business that’s watching costs, $100 per month multiplied by the number of employees that work from home is an expense that quickly balloons into a staggering figure.
As a comparison, a VOIP service can start as low as $9.99 per month, per user. Even the more feature-rich VOIP providers are a bargain when compared with a traditional cell phone plan. Most major VOIP providers cost less than $30 per month, per user.
Manage Devices Easily
Managing mobile devices can be a challenge in the best of times. It can be incredibly difficult and time-consuming amid a pandemic. With most VOIP providers, a software solution is used to connect. This means users can access their VOIP services using almost any internet-connected device including a laptop, tablet, or wifi-connected mobile device. New numbers can be easily issued when new employees are onboarded as well. No need to send out and set up a new cell phone.
If an employee leaves the organization, their access to the VOIP service is simply disabled. Again, no need to work out the logistics of returning physical devices if they weren’t issued one.
Improve Cybersecurity with VOIP
One of the biggest concerns with communications management and having employees use their mobile devices for business is the cybersecurity challenges that can come with that. The lines of business and personal use can become blurred. Even an employee who is careful about how they use their device may unknowingly introduce a cybersecurity threat as a result of installing a third-party app. This recently became top-of-mind for many businesses as security challenges presented by the popular app Tik Tok led many companies to ask employees to remove the app from business devices.
When employees have access to VOIP software they can use on business devices, they can clearly define the line between personal and business use on their devices. Employers can feel comfortable knowing they are not at risk when employees use personal devices for business use which may expose sensitive company information. Simply put, VOIP makes communications management easy and improves cybersecurity.
Maintain Professional Appearances and Improve Communication
As employees make more voice calls and look for other ways to connect with customers, how can their employers ensure they are putting their best foot forward? When using a VOIP service, a business number can be issued to the employee. This is important as it can be set up to show the business name for caller ID purposes and the line can be a dedicated business line. Customers won’t be confused when they see a name show up that they don’t recognize.
Also, VOIP services often provide a host of additional features baked right into their platform that a traditional cell phone plan doesn’t offer. For example, employers can enable plugins for recording calls. There is also the option to have video calls through the VOIP platform which provides customers with that face-to-face interaction many people have been sorely missing over the past few months.
Finding the Right VOIP Service
Communications management can be challenging but it doesn’t have to be. Businesses can cut costs and improve service simply by making the switch to the right VOIP service. To learn more about the options available and how to implement VOIP in your business, contact the communication specialists at Virginia Business Systems today.