For many small businesses, a hosted VoIP system (or hosted telephony system) is the perfect way to present a professional and efficient front to your customers. The abundance of features available to VoIP users far surpasses those of more traditional style phone lines and help organisations deliver an exceptional service.
Kane have been supporting organisations in their VoIP journey for many years now and have successfully deployed a huge number of systems. During this time, we have worked with many businesses ranging from very small to very large organisations. We notice that we are often asked the same questions by the companies we are working with. Therefore, we have put together some FAQs about Hosted VoIP:
Hosted VoIP: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is “Hosted VoIP”? How is that different from regular VoIP or my mobile phone?
- The difference with hosted VoIP is that the phone systems infrastructure and hardware is managed by a service provider, such as Mitel, rather than you. You may also recognise this as hosted PBX, hosted telephony or cloud telephony. All you need is a high-speed Internet connection and the rest is taken care of.
- What kind of phones do I need?
- The beauty of hosted VoIP is that all you need is an Internet connection and a device with a microphone and a speaker. This means that your employee’s computers, business mobiles and even their personal devices can be used to make calls on your business VoIP system. If you prefer the look and feel of a traditional desk phone, you just need an IP phone that you can connect to the Internet.
- Can I integrate VoIP with my CRM?
- The answer is ‘yes’. This is one of the best selling features of hosted VoIP systems. Integration with apps such as Salesforce and other CRM applications give employees immediate access to relevant customer data allowing them to provide a more personalised and engaging customer experience.
- Many of my employees are out in the field or travelling. How can VoIP help?
- Hosted VoIP is perfect for a remote workforce. Employees can use a mobile app to access all the features they need. Whether working from home, travelling from client to client or at an event, they are always able to communicate with customers and colleagues. Find out more about how VoIP can support remote working on our blog.
- How much does it cost? Is it expensive?
- This is an obvious and sensible question, particularly for smaller businesses. Firstly, a hosted VoIP system eliminates all the costs that come with on-premise installation and the need for dedicated IT staff to support and maintain the system. Secondly, since calls are taking place only over your Internet connection, calls are cheaper, particularly international ones. Lastly, you don’t even need to use phones, employees can use personal devices, laptops and computers to handle all the calls they need. On top of the savings, collaboration tools help your employees to deliver better service and generate more revenue.
- What features do I really need?
- The truthful answer is, it depends on your business. Some benefit most from collaboration tools such as video conferencing, chat, screen sharing and conference calling, others benefit more from the remote working capabilities or call centre functionality. There are plenty of options which can seem overwhelming, that’s why companies like Kane exist; to assess your current situation and provide clear and unbiased advice on which features will suit your business best.
- Can VoIP support my call centre?
- Absolutely. A cloud-based call centre gives you more capabilities, more integrations and more tools than an on-premises one. Reporting features make training easier and more effective and allow managers to adjust staffing according to demand while other tools assist your staff in delivering a smooth customer experience. Again, there is an abundance of features available with a cloud-based call centre, so speak to an experienced communications consultant to find out the best options for you. Find out how you can Improve Customer Experience With Call Centre Software.
- What happens if we grow? How do I add new locations or additional employees?
- Hosted VoIP is extremely scalable. It couldn’t be more simple or cost-effective to add or remove services as your business’ needs change. With a managed service, you can get new users up and running in a matter of hours, rather than days.
- How difficult is it to use?
- Hosted VoIP is extremely simple to use. Installation is easy and there is limited training required to get going. Your vendor will provide you with ongoing support and training to ensure you get the most out of your system.
Kane is Here to Help
Hosted VoIP can provide countless opportunities for businesses. Its flexibility, integration tools, analytics tools and remote working capabilities can help small businesses deliver the exceptional service that their customers deserve.
If you would like to hear more about how VoIP can benefit your business, Kane Communications are here to help. We provide free, impartial advice, every step of the way to help you find the best solution and can deliver the perfect VoIP package with features that suit you.
