As businesses look to the future, they need to be flexible. What was once a near guarantee that offices would be the choice of workplace for companies is no more. Challenges faced include deciding between communications lines, and the merits of VoIP and traditional phone systems, namely implementing a Microsoft 365 Business Voice phone system. Nowadays, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, staff are as likely to work remotely as there are in the traditional office workplace, which means that companies need to consider how their phone lines are set up.
As it stands, nobody knows when the effects of the pandemic will be brought to a definitive end. With many speculating that remote working could be here to stay for the long-term, compared to some organisations such as Apple who are pushing staff to return to pre-pandemic working practises. This uncertainty means businesses need to establish what is best for their business and many are introducing technology that can facilitate the level of flexibility required for the foreseeable future.
The likes of Microsoft Teams and Zoom have been invaluable in helping businesses stay in close contact; customers, suppliers and staff. However, for many businesses there remains a question mark over their wider communication credentials.
Prior to the pandemic, many businesses relied upon their Private Branch Exchange (PBX) phone systems to keep them connected. However, since the pandemic’s impact, some businesses have made the switch to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems that offer flexibility. But which is better? Microsoft 365 Business Voice vs a traditional phone system…
Private Branch Exchange aka PBX
Since the pandemic took hold in early 2020, PBX phone systems have largely been made redundant. They are secured via hard-wired connection lines laid at the office. This has meant that businesses who have employed this traditional, but rigid, style of working, which was entirely suitable for the pre-pandemic world of employee-filled offices, have been seriously hamper. Transferring calls to people working from home has become a near-impossible task, almost inevitably resulting in lost revenue, sales and efficiencies.
However, the reliability of a PBX system is demonstrated by its overwhelming popularity, pre-pandemic. With its background being connected via data lines based at the office, this gives a business reliability – the only way the phone systems would go down would be if there were a power cut. An internet outage would have no effect on the phone system, when compared to VoIP. If an employee is out of the office, then calls are re-routed to the next available member of staff.
And there is no denying a PBX phone system is still the best option for some business, especially those that rely on a presence in a physical office or building space.
However, if you are a business that don’t rely on this to function and are considering a more flexible, hybrid format of working in the future, you may want to hear a little more about VoIP:
Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP for short
Connected via data networks, VoIP phone systems are scalable, making them perfect for businesses who are looking to grow or increase their flexibility. As a business grows, the number of software licenses can be increased with ease – that’s all that is required to add or remove people from your phone system. An instant and convenient process for businesses that are constantly adapting to the changing environment.
It also means that if a company’s staff are adopting a hybrid style of working, some in the office, some from home, then a VoIP system will allow the entire business to stay connected – even if you are on the road, the field team can remain contactable, reducing reliance and cost of mobile devices.
Between tablets, phones, laptops and desktops, a variety of devices can be used, too, meaning no desk phones are necessary. But we haven’t discussed one of the biggest plus points about Microsoft’s own VoIP phone system, Business Voice.
The Microsoft Business Voice phone set-up seamlessly connects with existing Microsoft Teams applications. It means that the transitional phase is minimal and transforms an already very good communication tool in Teams, into the very best out there. Internal and external calls can be taken with ease, and Microsoft’s famed security means there is no need to fear a data breach or cyber attack. The multi-factor authentication (MFA) requirement means that the intended user must log in with a legitimate phone number or email address every time they wish to use the software.
To put it simply, to ensure a business’ communication lines remain flexible enough to cater for whatever kind of working set-up is put in place in the future, a VoIP system such as Business Voice should be the choice for businesses. When implemented correctly by experts such as Neuways, VoIP can bring a dispersed business back together again – not to mention giving your customers and suppliers a clear way to stay in touch.
So, there you have it: if VoIP sounds like the communications line for your company,
contact Neuways today on 01283 753333 or email hello@neuways.com to discover more.
