How to Select the Best VoIP Phones for Small Business Use
IP Phone Companies provides quality business phone service using the latest technologies, like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). A VoIP phone system can incorporate features such as auto attendant, conference calling, call forwarding, music on hold and so on. There are different types of IP telephony companies: residential, virtual private networks, dedicated PBX, ISDN and so on. There are two types of VoIP services available: hardware based and software based.
There are mainly two types of phone service providers namely: residential and commercial. Residential voip phones to connect calls to public switched telephone network (PSTN) using IP networks. Some residential VOIP phones work as regular phones too. Commercial VOIP phones connect calls to PSTN and other internal or public switched telephone network. Some professional VOIP phone systems also include faxing capabilities for both residential and commercial IP phones.
The role of IP phones in small business communication has increased manifold. Small businesses need all the help they can get in staying competitive. It is essential for small business owners to have IP phones so that they can carry out in-house and/or remote business communications. For small businesses, it is best to go with the best voip phones available in the market.
Small businesses can go for cordless phone systems if they do not want to be tied up with any one company. Cordless phone systems are mostly based on base stations. This means that there is a cable coming from the wall socket and running into the telephone jack of the unit.
An analog signal processor (AEP) embedded circuit device connects the IP telephony equipment with the IP network and the user’s PC. An AEA uses digital technology and converts analog signals into voice transmission. AEs are available in various formats. These include digital jacks, PCMCIA cards, USB card readers and FireWire interface cards.
SIP communicators are also widely used in small business telecommunication. SIP is short for Session Initiation Protocol. SIP is a standard that enables efficient voice communication over the internet. Users need an Internet connection, a microphone or computer that is hooked up to a broadband modem, and they can make calls by dialing a telephone number. A VoIP soft phone system connects calls made with Internet phone services via SIP communications.
An alternative to using regular phones for small business communications is the use of Internet protocol (IP) phones. These IP phones are just like regular traditional telephones but they are equipped with Internet technologies to provide voice and video. The advantages of using these IP phones to connect with the outside world include: fewer phone lines used, easier access to the web, better mobility and portability, and convenience for both callers and callees. Although IP phones are more expensive than regular telephone systems, they offer numerous benefits and can save a company money in the long run.
There are several providers of IP phones and each one offers different features. Prices vary according to the features and equipment provided and many IP phones are provided for free with your online business account. Some call companies offer free IP phones as incentives to new customers.
There are a number of IP phone service providers to choose from including: RingCentral, Netorama, ISDN, and MyFax. Most of these companies offer a wide range of features and solutions to meet any IP telephony needs. Choosing the right one for your small business or office can be a difficult task. To help you make the right choice, here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on the best voip phones for small businesses.
Choose software based soft phones rather than hardware-based soft phones. Hardware-based soft phones are less expensive and also have more features. They also have a more robust hardware interface that will allow them to support all the necessary voice transmission protocols and software required by your business. Software based soft phones are cheaper and easier to customize. The software can easily be updated to support latest voice transmission protocols and features.
Look for SIP account access. Most VoIP service providers include SIP access with their services and charge very little for it. SIP access is required for setting up new lines and handling call forwarding. Most providers also provide free SIP access along with their packages to encourage new users to use their services. Check carefully if your company’s provider offers SIP access as part of its package or if it is charged separately.
Check with your network provider to see if it has SIP servers that are compatible with your service provider’s IP phones. If not, then it may be a good idea to switch to a different provider who can provide the best voip phones for small business use. Most VoIP service providers provide phones that have SIP trunks so that you don’t need to install additional hardware.
