Is VoIP a real business solution or just hype?

Question

VoIPs been around for over a decade, but i can't much evidence that SMBs are turning off their traditional phone services and using VoIP services exclusively.

Answer 1

I keep seeing more and more businesses switching to VoIP lines as there only source dial tone for there office phones.

I do not think that this is a wise move UNLESS there are redundant internet connections in place (preferably from diffrent sources) and that the internet connections that they have can support the voice and data traffic of the business's network.

With VoIP you have a single point of failure, if your internet connection goes down so do ALL of your VoIP phone lines. With traditional POTS lines if one line goes down, all of your other lines continue to operate. Are there exceptions where there may be a major telephone network outage and you lose all of your landlines at the same time? yes, but compare the odds of that occuring to the odds of a single internet connection failing, and it becomes quite clear that a business that relies on telephone service to be operational, I do not believe that VoIP is technology that is ready for most businesses.

The amount of money that you save by switching to VoIP may not make up for the lost revenue, and possible lost clients,  if your internet connection goes down, and you are unable to take or fulfill orders until the service is restored.

Answer 2

I would say yes, it is a real business solution.  But as KMFF indicates, it may well require reinvestment into all new phone systems that are compatible with VoIP equipment.

Using VoIP solutions can save a lot of money.  

Other than holding off because of technical support issues, I suspect many businesses are concerned that VoIP cant' provide the voice quality that they are used to with PSTN service.  I suspect that many businesses aren't ready to take the risk and don't have the technical expertise to implement with confidence.

Answer 3

It is a real business solution. However, I wouldn't recommend a company throw away its investment into its current telephone system. Businesses are waiting for "end-of-life" of their current equipment before investing in VOIP.

Answer 4

VOIP is cheap and it keeps getting better with time.

This article talks about if switching your landline to VOIP is right for you:

http://www.gimmiegets.com/switch-your-la...

Answer 5

Business VoIP is the way to go - plain and simple. How about free international calling to Europe and 22 countries?

VoIP to VoIP calls are completely free as well. So let's say you have two offices. One in New York, one in London. I mean, it's free with Lingo ( http://voip-reviewer.com/lingo.php ) but you could talk for days and not get charged for it. Try doing that with a normal telephone provider.

Check out http://voip-reviewer.com/business.html for business voip reviews.

Good luck