There are a number of reasons which make VoIP telephony an appealing addition to any modern business, and those who have switched from a traditional telephone system will have done so with clear objectives in mind. If you’re considering migrating to a VoIP service provider, consider the following questions to ensure a stress-free migration.

What do you want to achieve through switching to a VoIP service provider?

When making decisions on behalf of your business, it’s important to set some clear objectives. You must first understand the reasons driving the switch - perhaps you need to cut costs on lengthy international calls, modernise old equipment or improve your communications as a whole. Be clear on your goals, and always keep them in mind when reviewing service providers.

What VoIP package best suits the business?

When you have an understanding on the reasoning behind the switchover, seek out a provider that can help you to achieve those specific needs or requirements. Every business is unique, so shop around for a service that suits you.

While every business is unique, so is every VoIP provider, and many providers will be flexible with the services they offer and should be able to accommodate your specific needs. It pays to speak with prospective providers about your specific requirements to help inform your decision.

Does the provider understand the business?

If a VoIP provider understands your business, they can detect possible issues before they arise, saving both parties time and money. For instance, in a seasonal business, a high call volume around Christmas may cause time lag and call-quality issues. A reliable VoIP provider will preempt this situation, and prepare for it before it becomes an issue.

Are staff able to use the new systems?

As with any new software/hardware, staff will need to receive some training in the functional aspects of VoIP before it is implemented throughout the business. While some deployments are more complex than others, a typical VoIP system should be simple to grasp and designed to be user friendly, so the transition should be a smooth one.

Can you trust the provider?

Typically, when you make the transition to a hosted VoIP system, the only thing hosted on site are the handsets. On occasion you may wish to see what’s happening behind the scenes, and a trustworthy supplier should allow you to so. If a supplier has made considerable investments in technology, they will be proud of their facilities.

It’s also important to ensure that the provider isn’t just a reseller of other providers’ services and that they have technical knowledge and resources to manage any eventuality, no matter how complex.

And finally...

A business should learn from any mistakes or successes made in the deployment process. If there are some obvious areas for improvement, then revise the plans for any work going forward. If you’re deploying a a multi-site roll out then any refinements now will save time and money later. Also be sure to understand any implications of adding additional handsets or functionality further down the line.