VoIP calls for forward-thinking businesses

Businesses are being asked to switch to VoIP telecom systems to support the growing demand for flexible working patterns or risk losing key staff.

While many companies want employees back in the office, the growing compromise is to offer flexibility using hybrid working, allowing employees to choose a day or two that they work from home.

Coherent discussions are key to hybrid working and moving to a unified model with VoIP allows communication across multiple locations to be seamless and ensure office and home workers keep talking.

It can also save businesses money compared to their current phone system, so VoIP helps keep key staff happy and save money at the same time.

Experts from VoIP specialists TelephoneSystems.Cloud are warning businesses to install the internet-based service before the old system shuts down.

VoIP systems give employees the flexibility to work from anywhere with a reliable internet connection and connect to other work devices. It’s so easy to transfer calls seamlessly between employees, no matter where they are.

The latest data shows that before the pandemic, only 12% of adults worked from home at some point during a typical week.

This figure rose dramatically during the pandemic, and the new norm now sees 30% of employees working from home at least one day a week.

With the number of employees embracing hybrid work options increasing, it is increasingly incumbent on companies to provide communication solutions that support their needs.

Making the transition from traditional analog landline systems to VoIP phones means additional support for employees who work a mix of away from and in the office.

By switching to VoIP systems, workers can use the same physical device with the same number for business-related calls regardless of where they work from.

The system also allows employees to use the same number on their other devices – something that is impossible to do through analogue landlines.

Once a VoIP system is in place, the same phone number can be connected to smartphones, laptops, tablets and desktop computers; wherever there is a reliable internet connection.

VoIP systems also allow users to download an app to turn a regular mobile phone into one compatible with their work internet telecoms system – this is ideal for smaller businesses that have a ‘bring your own phone’ policy.

The ability to separate work from home life on employees’ personal devices is a key challenge facing businesses across all industries post-pandemic.

As long as there is a reliable internet connection, the flexibility of VoIP systems supports the UK’s move towards hybrid working.

And there are benefits for businesses too – VoIP systems have relatively low set-up costs, with businesses benefiting from lower call costs, especially compared to mobile phones.

While companies operating internationally benefit from lower international call rates and no expensive contract premiums.

Many VoIP phones are compatible with business tools such as CRMs and click to call – these small details make admin much easier and enable smoother business operations.

Businesses are being urged to make this “big switch” to VoIP systems now and move away from the old analog phone style.

The government and the telecoms industry plan to shut down analog phone systems by 2025, meaning there are only two years left until these lines stop working.

Juliet Moran, founder of TelephoneSystems.Cloud said: “VoIP systems are the best way forward for businesses right now – with the old analogue phone system being phased out in just two years, now is the time to make the so-called ‘big switch’.

“This cloud-based phone system has many benefits for employees, with the UK seeing massive growth in hybrid working post-pandemic, VoIP systems fully support these flexible working patterns.

“Employees can take the physical device with them wherever they work, as long as there is a reliable internet connection. Even better, the VoIP system allows you to use other devices such as laptops and tablets to use the phone system under the same phone number.

“With little investment required and low fees for international calls, we encourage all businesses to look into installing VoIP systems.”