Debunking the Top Five VoIP Myths
It's time to bust the myths that are keeping some small businesses from making the switch to VoIP.
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ViOP Myths... Still Not Convinced...
Bruce Chatterley is telling a one-sided story and should realize that putting all your eggs in one basket (ie. voice and internet access) would pose a major downfall for any business. When one goes offline, all services go offline. For a business, this is a quick way to kill a day (if not several days) worth of productive work and eats into your profit margin. In other words, no calls and no internet access when your broadband provider goes down equates to no influx of income for your business and the perception that your business no longer exists in the eyes of your customers.Let's not forget that this makes any business vulnerable to cyber attacks that could cripple any company let alone our country's communications infrastructure with a single denial of service attack.
But if you want this type of service, sure... go ahead. Knock yourself out. I'll keep a space open on the unemployment line for you when your business collapses.
Hi Mudkicker - Amanda from
Hi Mudkicker - Amanda from Speakeasy here. The occasional unexpected connectivity interruption is inevitable with any business, whether it be from natural disasters or from equipment failures. However, with Speakeasy Hosted VoIP, you are connected to to servers on a multi-redundant, nationwide network, which consists of redundant power, power backup and multiple connections. In addition to the redundancy and backup that make outages less likely - in the event of a brief outage, the hosted phone system continues to function virtually, allowing callers to continue to leave voicemail, or allowing you to even forward calls to an alternate phone. For a more in-depth explanation, you can check out a white paper on the topic athttp://www.speakeasy.net/pdf/SPK_VoIPContinuity_WP.pdf.
I hope that helps address some of your concerns.
VoIP service <> all your eggs in one basket
We've been doing this for almost a decade and never had a customer's voice disrupted because of internet or network problems.1) Hosted VoIP can pass both the Voice and Data to you across a dedicated line. Since both the Data and Voice are coming from the VoIP host they filter out any attacks and limit the data so that it never interferes with the voice
2) Hosted VoIP only connects to your office phones - the server, voicemail, auto attendant, etc all live at a colocation facilities. These facilities all have redundant power and emergency generators, plus redundant internal networks and multiple connections to the internet across multiple providers.
3) If the server can't talk to your VoIP phone for any reason, the call flows over to your Cell phone or any other destination you choose.
4) We setup our medium and large customers with VLAN enabled switches that give priority to Voice over Data - so even if your internal network grinds to a stand still due to a virus outbreak, your phones will still function flawlessly. We've had customers to call us up and tell us exactly that! And yes they were amazed.
You see the best feature of VoIP is that your phone number is no longer a slave to one device - one phone. It is free to roam where ever you roam, and to change where it goes at the click of your mouse.
Jon Carnes
FeatureTel Support
voip problems
The key thing is to keep your voice and data seperate.VoIP is good because it saves money, but its better because it brings more services and enriches your landline telephony experience.
I hear what you are saying about all eggs in once basket, but thats the way it is with anyone.
Go with someone reputable and try not to scrape the bottom of the barrel with a really ceap provider and you will be ok.
(We dont ever mix voice and data so these cyber attacks are never a problem for us either.)
soft benefits often overlooked - hosted VOIP and PBX Servers
So why are so many people recommending VOIP?I suppose there are a number of sides to this story. For many people, VOIP savings and features look good on paper, but in reality, the leap to VOIP requires a lot research and work.To leverage VOIP you need, new software, new technology, new practices, and, a new provider to host and port in your phone numbers. It's hard to feel comfortable with so many new changes, especially when it comes to mission critical phone services.
Considering the uncertainty with a leap to VOIP, why are so many people signing on? Everyone can see the potential phone savings, and one might say price is the leading influence, but that's not the only big reason people choose VoIP. Aside from price, there are many powerful benefits from VOIP. The trick is finding the reliable hosted providers who can deliver them.
For making a transition to VOIP, please see the 3 following ideas that focus on the soft benefits to look for when choosing a hosted provider.
1) Ask about the Server structure and software.
Does your Server offer 5x9s of up time?
Do you offer a hosted SIP PBX Server application for business?
Is the voip service available for use on my smartphone?
Can I use a softphone for voip services on my laptop?
Do you configure IP Phones remotely?
Can I use an traditional phones with VOIP?
The answer should be yes to all of these questions.
2) Put their service to the test.
Can you offer me a demo
Do you provision phones remotely?
What do I need to install for VoIP service on my existing phone?
How do I use VOIP from my mobile phone?
How do I log in to VOIP on my computer?
Can I use VOIP when I travel?
Can I include corporate exchange email service with my accounts?
Can you provide a log in for online voip/webmail services?
3) Look for experience in VOIP networking. The provider should be able to diagnose the correct hardware for supporting high quality VOIP at your office, and provide ways to ensure your reliabily
How can I connect to service if my router is in another room?
How do I keep VOIP online at my office?
How does the service work when my ISP is down?
How can I ensure 100 VOIP lines will work in my office?
How do I provision a partition for VOIP when I have developers with huge data requirements that might interfere?
The truth is hosted VoIP services are more robust than a one-dimensional telephone service. Sure, we are all accustomed to making calls with our telephones, but to say that VOIP limits you in some way is bogus! If you have provisioned a reliable network at your home and office there is no reason to feel uncomfortable with VoIP and hosted communications.
On many levels VOIP is far superior, and the businesses who achieve this standard for communication are prospering. Sticking with your traditional phone company is like leaving your basket of eggs in the sun to rot. Sort of like your business on POTS. :D
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