VOIP (Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol) telephone systems are fast becoming the most popular way for business and organizations to manage their voice communications. Through utilizing SIP trunking and VoIP, businesses have more options for communications as opposed to traditional legacy phone systems provided by large telecom service providers.
If your organization is looking for ways to reduce operating costs in your communications than consider SIP trunking as a smart alternative. There are lots of different reasons to switch to SIP today, so let’s look at what it is, how it reduces costs, and what it can offer your business.
SIP Trunking
SIP trunking allows organizations to make phone calls through a PSTN (public switched telephone network) via IP (internet protocol). The technology works through the internet and turns your phone system into an internet operated service, like email or a website application.
It may sound like a bulky piece of equipment but another aspect of SIP trunking is that there is no physical trunk to attach to the current system. It is a set of light protocols delivered from a SIP provider which enables businesses to take advantage of all the functions and benefits of an IP based phone system (internet phone system).
Let’s look at the major savings of SIP trunking:
- Reduced Costs
- Instant Return on Investment (ROI)
- UCaaS – Unified Communications
- Mobility & International Potential
- Consolidation
- Reduction of Physical Infrastructure & Zero Cost Hardware
- Increased Reliability
- Easy Management
Here is a short list of the main benefits of using SIP trunking. Let’s look at each one.
1. Reduced Costs
Older legacy phone systems often have a slew of bizarre and often expensive charges for your calling usage. This can be for international calls, long distance, or even local calls. When your traditional phone service has 50 pages of fine print detailing how and why you are charged, SIP trunking offer straightforward, simple pricing that is usually based on a per line (per user) basis.
Instead of having to comb through your bill every single month, companies who switch over to SIP enjoy stable and understandable costs every month. Most companies who switch save on average 40-50% of their monthly telecommunication costs compared to traditional phone services.
Switching is far simpler and cost effective then you may have imagined.
2. Instant Return on Investment (ROI)
For most investments into organizational infrastructure (like communication systems) a valuable ROI can take years to be revealed. But that is not the case for SIP trunking. Because there are extremely low initial investment costs for SIP and the technology is time tested; your business can start to see an immediate ROI. Firstly, through the reduction in short term costs month to month, and then over time in the reduction of yearly operating costs which really do add up. For better service at a reduced cost you should be seriously considering switching to SIP.
3. UCaaS (Unified Communications)
Because most SIP services offer a complete network of communication features, it operates as a UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service). This is where all your communication needs are bundled together in a single platform. Combining under “one roof”:
- Video conferencing
- All Phone Call Needs (inbound & outbound)
- Instant Messaging & SMS
- Screen Share
- Call Recording
- Call Forwarding
- Auto-Attendant
- Document/File Sharing
- And more. See our write up on VOiP for Business, here.
This allows organization employees to conduct all sorts of work under one service platform where in the past they would have to pull different programs and applications to do each one of these combined services. This saves time and money as there are no more costs for individuals components on the network and there is no wasted time moving between different applications. The more you can unify your businesses communications the more seamlessly everyone can work together and at a reduced cost.
4. Mobility & International Potential
Because SIP allows employees to connect to the service via a mobile phone or device you get added mobility for workers on the go. Whether working from home or at a client’s location, the built-in portability of SIP through VoiP enables organizations to keep working even if a traditional internet connection drops. The app connects to the on-premises communications making it reachable through a single business line. No more being trapped at the office to make work calls, field calls from anywhere with a web connected device.
SIP is also ideal for growth potential. Where traditional phone lines must be installed and managed with expensive and outdated hardware, SIP trunking utilizes current networks to provide a better service. If your expanding to a second office, you won’t need to do major hard line installation when using SIP trunking and VoIP. Your employees can simply connect to the network through their mobile phones to conduct business. Meaning you have a huge opportunity to expand your business communications as you need without incurring huge build out project costs.
5. Consolidation
A huge number of companies and organizations are still paying separate costs for their data and telephone service. SIP trunking lets these organizations combine data and voice onto a solitary network. This way the system treats voice calls as any other form of data usage. Because of the combination of two aspects under one billing umbrella, organizations get the added benefit of a substantial reduction in costs. No more costs for phone usage and data separately.
6. Reduction of Physical Infrastructure & Zero Cost Hardware
With traditional or legacy phone systems expansion is a tall order. You have to schedule the phone company to come do a survey to determine what they need to do, then the lengthy and costly installation process, and possible outages for days at a time as the system is being installed. Walls can be torn into, lines can be strung around the office, and it can really hurt your productivity. Physical infrastructure not only costs far more, requires far more maintenance, but it also costs far more than a SIP trunking system which uses existing installations to operate.
Because of the way it uses existing lines and installations, there is no additional hardware costs. Any increase in lines or build outs through a traditional phone system will have costs associated with that work. The costs of the lines, the phone hardware, and the installation costs start to add up over time. With SIP, adding lines or services is no more difficult then getting a new phone (handset) and adjusting monthly agreement. This means you’re not paying for major hardware just to then pay more for the service also. With SIP it is the service only which has costs adjusted.
7. Increased Reliability
Legacy phones can be interrupted by all sorts of things which can’t affect SIP trunking. For example, inclement weather or purposeful sabotage can shut down your telecommunications until repaired. This could mean major outages for your operations until repairs are completed (this could take days or weeks depending on the extent of the damage). SIP trunking has mobile failover built in meaning that if there is some system failure you have no downtown and calls can be routed through other office of yours or mobile devices.
8. Easy Management
Tired of having your tech team wait on hold with your business phone service provider when an issue arises? With SIP trunking there are all-in-one administrative functions that are utilized for management of the system in-house. No more waiting on hold for basic changes like adding a line, changing call forwarding numbers, changing voicemail, and more. Your tech team can now manage nearly all aspects of the entire system. This means greater usability and management without having to rely on customer service.
Verdict: SIP Trunking is Better
No two businesses or organizations are identical. SIP trunking is a great way to start saving on your communication costs every month, but it does have some requirements like data and internet connectivity to function properly. If you’re ready to have your organization join the 21st century in terms of your communications, SIP Trunking and VOiP is the way to go.
For the best in SIP Trunking Westchester County NY, look no further than over 30 years of local expertise, right here at Top Line Communications. We proudly operate where we live right here in Westchester. Call today for a consultation and see how we can reduce your costs, get you set up from home, and bring your businesses phone systems into the 21st century. Stay safe from the entire team and we can get through this if we work together! 1-888-426-8647