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    <title>DEV Community: Josiah Salser</title>
    <description>The latest articles on DEV Community by Josiah Salser (@josiah_salser).</description>
    <link>https://dev.to/josiah_salser</link>
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      <title>DEV Community: Josiah Salser</title>
      <link>https://dev.to/josiah_salser</link>
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    <item>
      <title>10 Tips for Choosing a Business VoIP Service for Your SMB</title>
      <dc:creator>Josiah Salser</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Sun, 19 Sep 2021 13:39:40 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/josiah_salser/10-tips-for-choosing-a-business-voip-service-for-your-smb-4fp</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/josiah_salser/10-tips-for-choosing-a-business-voip-service-for-your-smb-4fp</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Do you know of any business (small or large) that doesn’t require phone service? For obvious reasons, every business demands a reliable phone system for calling customers, speaking to vendors, and coordinating with teams. Of course, the usage of smartphones, chat apps, and emails can’t be avoided.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;However, nothing matches the reliability of the ‘always-on’&lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/hosted-voip/" rel="noopener"&gt;hosted business VoIP phone services&lt;/a&gt;. And, that’s what businesses need – a constant, reliable, and dedicated phone service that doesn’t interrupt your business flow. But don’t mistake every phone system as being equal.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h5&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your business needs a robust phone system that is:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;

&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Reliable&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Accessible&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Secure&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Credible&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;

&lt;p&gt;And, all that in one phrase is ‘VoIP.’ Now, let’s understand what VoIP is and how it works.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;What is VoIP?&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;VoIP is an acronym for ‘Voice Over Internet Protocol’ and is most often used synonymously with making phone calls over the internet. It’s not a new concept.  Since 1995 businesses have been using it to save money on both long-distance and international calls.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Now, more than 25 years later, VoIP is becoming the new standard in phone system technology. VoIP facilitates calls using the internet and also delivers useful functions, including call recording, forwarding, video conferencing, voicemail, and more. To read more about VoIP basics, go &lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/voip-guide/" rel="noopener"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;While many people think of their phones as simply passive devices, savvy business owners see the benefit in leveraging Voice over IP to do more for them than make calls. But, choosing the right VoIP service provider can be a tricky process, if you are new to it.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;In today’s post, we are going to discuss the top 10 tips that you need to consider before making the final decision to pick the VoIP for your SMB.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;10 Tips for Choosing a Business VoIP Service&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Are you upgrading your phone system to a business VoIP service? But confused about where to start. We’ve compiled this list of important tips you need to consider before choosing a business VoIP service;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;1. Figure out the Best Pricing &amp;amp; Plans for Your Business:&lt;/h3&gt; No business wants unneeded expenses. Hence, it is important to research a few plans, analyze them, and figure out the best one for your business. Think about a pricing structure that works for you today, and possible pricing that you can lock in for the long term, even years to come.

If you are a small or medium-sized business, obviously you are not looking for something super expensive. VoIP is a smart solution for your business that often costs less than traditional phone systems.  

&lt;h3&gt;2. Mobile Apps:&lt;/h3&gt; Don’t worry about VoIP solutions not matching your business needs. VoIP solutions come in categories that ideally match the unique requirements of different businesses – be it small, medium, or large.

Mobile app solutions for your business give you the complete freedom to make and receive calls from almost anywhere, as though you were sitting at your desk! This means that when calling out from your mobile app, your customer will see your business number, not your personal cell phone number. Get your personalized mobile app ready to make communication more seamless.

&lt;h3&gt;3. Third-Party Integration:&lt;/h3&gt; Did you know that VoIP services are not just limited to three-way calling and extension dialing like traditional phones? It offers a lot more, including video conferencing, integrating productivity tools, call forwarding, automation, and the freedom to take calls anywhere.

VoIP services help your business increase productivity with your existing collaboration tools, like emails, and other support systems. Such integration with your preferred &lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/crm-integration/" rel="noopener"&gt;preferred CRM software helps streamline business processes&lt;/a&gt;.

&lt;h3&gt;4. Seamless Call Management:&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;VoIP impressively handles all your calls (audio and video). With such seamless call management, you can ensure your teams and customers enjoy an uninterrupted communication system.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;However, since VoIP is wholly dependent on your data network, look for a VoIP team knowledgeable enough to educate you on proper VoIP setup to make sure you have a smooth transition. This means examining your local network bandwidth, network traffic and health, router and firewall, and internet connection for delivering high-quality calls.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;5. 24×7 Support:&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Opting for VoIP for the first time comes with its challenges too though. One such challenge is becoming familiar with all the features VoIP can offer that could benefit you and your business. How can you meet the challenge? &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;When getting VoIP, look for a company that offers unlimited support and training. Phone support, live chat support, and a dedicated consultant must be available to assist you. Look for a company that will help you get the most out of your system now and into the future.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;6. Secure &amp;amp; Reliable:&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Data is the biggest asset for any business. And, you can’t risk this vital asset of your company. Hence, communication channels for partners, teams, and customers should be reliable and secure.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Partner with VoIP providers who deliver encrypted, authentic, and highly secure systems. Make sure the provider provides appropriate redundancy and failover options. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;7. Types of VoIP Required:&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Figure out which VoIP technology suits your business. What type of business calls does your business do- local, long-distance, international, or even SMS?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;After accessing your technology choices, select the &lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/" rel="noopener"&gt;best business communication solutions&lt;/a&gt;, including VoIP phone solutions, locally managed IP PBX, Hosted IP PBX, Integrated Access, PRI, and SIP trunks.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;8. Backup Feature:&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Do VoIP solutions offer backup and recovery solutions for your business? They certainly can! Your business data and customer details are important, and you cannot afford to lose them.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It would help if you had a service provider that offers vital backup solutions, including mirrored PBX systems in the cloud. In short, you need to have confidence that your provider is prepared, in case disaster strikes.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;9. Onboarding &amp;amp; Care:&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Planning to expand your business? Thinking about adding more users to your business? Great! VoIP offers reliable solutions to onboard users and with proper execution, it is easy to expand your business and manage employee communication.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;10. Reviews, Ratings, and Personal Attention&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;How successfully has your VoIP service provider satisfied their clients in the past? For that, scrutinize the reviews &amp;amp; ratings of providers hired. Reviews and ratings have the power to impact customer decisions. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Also, make sure your VoIP provider doesn’t see your business as just another number. Will they give you personal attention, now and in the future? First, build trust, then make your buying decision. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;VoIP is an ideal solution for SMBs as it delivers holistic solutions for your business communication issues and provides you:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Lower costs&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;HD quality calls&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Advanced features (auto-attendants, call queues, call recording)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;No technical setup&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Easy International calls&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Reduced costs, ease of use, and access to highly advanced features make it an apt solution for every business. Give your business complete freedom with premium VoIP solutions.&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Top 7 Reasons Why You Are Paying Too Much For Your Business Internet Service</title>
      <dc:creator>Josiah Salser</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Sep 2021 16:17:44 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/josiah_salser/top-7-reasons-why-you-are-paying-too-much-for-your-business-internet-service-314p</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/josiah_salser/top-7-reasons-why-you-are-paying-too-much-for-your-business-internet-service-314p</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Rising prices and slow internet speeds are no less than a puzzle for businesses. These can be so frustrating, especially if you are paying for fast data connectivity and you frequently struggle with data outages. Added to that, many businesses end up paying too much for broadband internet service.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Undoubtedly, business broadband comes with additional features, including faster speed, access to static IP addresses, web services, enhanced customer support, and more.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Still, there are several reasons you might be overpaying for your business internet service.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Below are the Top 7 Reasons and Possible Solutions to Cut down your Business Internet Bill;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;One of the significant reasons most people gravitate towards the biggest and most expensive internet service plans is that they don’t want to get stuck with slow internet speed. However, unless a business requires heavy internet usage, 25 Mbps is an ideal bandwidth for simple tasks such as downloading files, business communications, and general wi-fi use for a small business. Thus, if you are paying for 500Mbps or more, you may be overpaying.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;→ Solution – Find out your business’s internet speed requirements and then look for the service provider that offers you what you need. If you think that you are paying more, consider downsizing to a less costly plan that caters to your needs.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;1. You Pay For More Speed Than You Need&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You-are-getting-trapped-in promotional-deals&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Many broadband service providers try to attract people by offering great prices on internet packs for 12, 18, or 24 months. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;An Ofcom report says that half a million customers living in areas without superfast networks struggle with internet service price variations based on contract status.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Moreover, customers who are on deals end up paying more as there is an automatic price increase at the end. Those who have a package with both broadband and landline pay around 20% more because the best deals are offered to new subscribers.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;→ Solution – It is best to go with a no-contract &lt;span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/business-internet-solutions/" rel="noopener"&gt;business internet solution&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt; so that you don’t have to deal with increased rates after you sign up. Look for a plan that offers maximum flexibility; it would be helpful if your internet requirements change in the future.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;3. You Don’t Get The Speed You Pay For&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Customers often experience the difference between the internet speeds a provider advertises and what they actually get. These discrepancies don’t necessarily mean that the provider is trying to trick you. Instead, several factors like business location, latency, router, wireless setup, computer, etc., are also involved in the fees and affect internet speed. Still, if your internet expense is more than the expected amount, it is crucial to ensure that expenses are worth it.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;→ Solution – The best solution to get over this problem is to take an internet speed test at different times of the day to determine how well the internet is working. Is the speed slower than you are paying for? Consider troubleshooting or searching for tips to speed up the wi-fi.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;4. You are Not Comparing your Options &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You are not comparing your to other business internet options-telecloud&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There are approximately 2,000 internet providers in Texas, and your internet options depend upon where you live.  So, track the best providers around you and see the options available. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;→ Solution – Compare the different service providers as per your internet needs. You can also check online by simply entering the Zip Code to see the Internet options available in your area.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Related Read: &lt;span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/dedicated-vs-shared-internet/" rel="noopener"&gt;Dedicated vs. Shared Internet [What’s Best for Your Organization?]&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;5. You are Not Buying your Own Router&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For people who have business stability, buying their own router pays off. Depending on your current rental fee, the router you rent may become expensive and after some time you may need to change or upgrade it. So, buying a new router may save you money.  &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;→ Solution – Check the list of best routers in the market to check how you can save money by buying your own. Also, rented routers are not of the highest quality, so buying your own might help in boosting Internet Performance.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;6. Not Negotiating With your Service Provider&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Keep a check on your Internet bill and the Internet speed to know how much you are paying for your connected devices. If you have had the same Internet provider for years, you can work with them to lower the bill.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;→ Solution – Do your research on the competition and ask your service provider to give you the best deal. Knowing the competing offers will give you the advantage that you can switch to move to another company if their plan doesn’t fit your budget.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Related Read: &lt;span&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/smb-telecom-expenses/" rel="noopener"&gt;SMB Telecom Services – How To Make Sure You Are Not Overpaying&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;b&gt;7. The Switching Problem&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Many broadband users are not aware of the status of their contracts. They don’t know that their internet bill will rise once the deal ends. Furthermore, they don’t search for better alternatives or compare options available to them.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Nowadays, broadband providers send their customers the end-of-contract notification, informing them about the current tariff and the best deals available. Still, many consumers don’t think about switching to a better deal with their current service provider and pay more.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;→ Solution– The solution is to negotiate with your contractor and look for better deals to save dollars. Don’t think that you are bound to buy a deal only when your contract expires. Internet providers often provide offers or deals at the end of the three-month quarter if they haven’t reached their financial targets. So, keep an eye on all the offers available to you.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;b&gt;How To Choose A Business Internet Service Provider To Make The Most Out Of It?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Now you know the reasons why you might be overpaying your internet service provider. Below are the top considerations when choosing an internet provider for your business:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Pick the right type of internet connectivity, i.e., cable internet, satellite internet, DSLR, etc. Nowadays, fiber optic internet is gaining traction as it offers higher speed with no signal loss.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Look for the additional services they provide.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Check if they provide the right internet bandwidth and speed they need.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The internet service provider should have a robust security protocol.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The ISP should offer good customer support service.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Whether you are using your Internet for work, movies, playing video games, or streaming TV, it isn’t easy to live without the internet.  The above-mentioned are the most important things to check when adopting a new internet service provider to keep your business on a budget. At, TeleCloud we provide affordable internet packages and the best services with customized plans. So, if you have any query drop us a message here.&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>internet</category>
      <category>business</category>
      <category>telecom</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SMB Telecom Services: How To Make Sure You Are Not Overpaying</title>
      <dc:creator>Josiah Salser</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Jun 2021 16:37:54 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/josiah_salser/smb-telecom-services-how-to-make-sure-you-are-not-overpaying-1875</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/josiah_salser/smb-telecom-services-how-to-make-sure-you-are-not-overpaying-1875</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;This blog is originally published at &lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/smb-telecom-expenses/"&gt;TeleCloud&lt;/a&gt; on April 19, 2021&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Effective business communication is the glue that holds you and your team together. The communication strategies you tend to employ can make a significant difference in your organization.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Powerful internal business communication spreads &lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/customize-business-communication/"&gt;knowledge and streamlines the processes&lt;/a&gt; throughout your company. It also initiates employee engagement, retention, and productivity- which in return boosts client satisfaction. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;From using VoIP solutions to internet connectivity and IT-based infrastructure, all-in-all your &lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/"&gt;company relies on several telecom services.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;At what cost?  Probably more than you know!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Telecom expenses including equipment and infrastructure maintenance can be a headache for you, as it might cost heaps of your hard-earned greens. The worst part is, you may even realize that you may be paying too much! &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;“Organizations that choose a Telecom Expense Audit typically save 20-50% on their total telecom costs.”&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Far too many organizations tend to leave their telecom services unnoticed. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;However, the high telecom expenses of such services beg the following questions:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
→&lt;b&gt;The Identifier&lt;/b&gt;: What are some of the areas in which the Prices of your SMB Telecom Services Grow Exponentially?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;→&lt;b&gt;The Fixer&lt;/b&gt;: How can you control your business communication expenses?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;Areas in which the Prices of your SMB Telecom expenses grow&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Let’s start with;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;1. Identifying your Expenses&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Do you know how much you are spending on your SMB telecom expenses?&lt;br&gt;
Do you know what service exactly you are paying for, and why? &lt;br&gt;
Many companies simply receive their bills via email and pay the amount without even verifying those invoices. With a little oversight along with a few steps, you can control the cost of your SMB telecom services and ensure that your hard-earned money is not being wasted.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;However, to manage your telecom expenses you should identify your expenses and the services you have opted for.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;Once done, you can use the Following Steps to Identify your Telecom Expenses:&lt;h3&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;1. Examine your Bills&lt;/h3&gt; 

&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;To figure out if you are overpaying for telecom services, you can start by looking at current and past bills to understand exactly what you have been charged for each month. Evaluate and identify each product you are using, and determine the value of every service you are paying for. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;2. Pay for the Services you Use&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Many telecom service invoices have services that businesses are not even using. So, identifying and examining the unused services and eliminating them from your contract can help you save a lot of money.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;3. Identify Billing Errors&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you are just paying the bills without analyzing them, it is easy for service providers to charge you with an inaccurate bill amount or add on some hidden fees that scale up your monthly expenses.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h4&gt;However, as you Review your Invoices, Look for the Following Bill-related Issues:&lt;/h4&gt; 

&lt;p&gt;*Fluctuation in charges&lt;br&gt;
*Charges for disconnected telecommunication services&lt;br&gt;
*Early charges&lt;br&gt;
*Addition of unwanted offers or schemes&lt;br&gt;
Now that you know the basics that you can look for, let’s look into some effective strategies that will help ensure that you are not overpaying your service providers. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Are you looking for a reliable Telecom Service Partner? We at TeleCloud, provide cost-effective business communication solutions.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;Strategies that you Must Start Using Today&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Here’s what you can do to control your monthly telecom expenses;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;1. Cutting off all the Unused Features&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If your service plan does not include a fixed fee for data, calling minutes, and support on business phones- then you could be wasting a lump sum of money in these unplanned charges every year. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Here, conducting an audit can help you to identify the root cause of these fluctuations and select a specific plan that covers such activities at an affordable price.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;2. Look for Third-Party Bills&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you and your employees have mistakenly signed up for additional services that are offered outside your service provider, such third parties might use your telecom provider as billing agents for the rendered services. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This approach is a tricky tactic that enables the third party to charge you with hidden costs. If left unnoticed, they might roll their charges into your telecom provider’s bill. Luckily, an audit of your services will highlight all the unused services and remove them from your monthly expenses. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;3. Understanding the Term Overage Charges&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Every time you look at the invoice and see large differences in the amount billed, it is often a result of additional unplanned charges. Such charges may range from calling minutes to data usage to text messages. Also, it can represent one-time charges for installation and maintenance. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If your service plan does not include a fixed amount of fees additional unplanned charges. Therefore, it is highly suggested that you understand the terms and conditions first before settling on a specific service provider. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;4. Get the Most Current Pricing&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Since telecommunication services are often the unsung heroes in a business, they often go unnoticed for many years. It’s important to know what the most current pricing in the market is for the products that you are paying for.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Now that you have already completed an audit of your telecommunication services, and you have gotten rid of any services that you are not currently using, you can better compare the pricing of your current services to what other providers are offering. You may be surprised to know that, as technology has developed, both telephone and internet services have steadily reduced in cost over the past 10 years. You may be paying far more than you need to, for an inferior product.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;→ &lt;b&gt;Related Read: &lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/dedicated-vs-shared-internet/" rel="noopener"&gt;Dedicated vs. Shared Broadband Internet Connection&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;When was the Last Time you Conducted a Telecom Audit?&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The bottom line is that your solution here lies in conducting a timely audit. Many business owners are generally found guilty of simply receiving a bill and thinking that it might be accurate. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Here, a &lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audit_(telecommunication)" rel="noopener"&gt;telecom audit identifies unplanned charges&lt;/a&gt;, and charges applied for unused or unwanted services.  You may also be able to lower your bill and even control your telecom expenses without making much of a change.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;In Case you have Never Conducted a Telecom Audit;&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There’s a big chance you were paying for services that are not in use or unwanted.  putting it bluntly, paying for useless services is a waste of money,  and does your business no good. Sometimes, old telecom services never get cancelled, whereas other times the services were sold upfront or without any prior notifications, and you keep paying for them without even using them. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Remember, telecommunications must evolve with your business and be re-evaluated with your budget. As we have discussed, the problem may be due to billing errors, maintenance, service costs, or out-of-term contract. If you suspect any of these you must take the above-mentioned steps to prevent such a situation and save your hard-earned money.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;There are many potential areas where a service provider may charge you extra. A telecom audit allows you to stay ahead and get better control over these unnecessary expenses.&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>telecom</category>
      <category>budget</category>
      <category>communication</category>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>9 Core Benefits of VOIP for Business/Enterprises</title>
      <dc:creator>Josiah Salser</dc:creator>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2021 17:19:27 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>https://dev.to/josiah_salser/9-core-benefits-of-voip-for-business-enterprises-38pk</link>
      <guid>https://dev.to/josiah_salser/9-core-benefits-of-voip-for-business-enterprises-38pk</guid>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_IP"&gt;Voice Over Internet Protocol&lt;/a&gt;  is a sophisticated phone system that uses the internet to make &amp;amp; receive calls instead of using a traditional phone system. Enterprises highly trust this progression in the phone systems. Of course, some technical processes transpire behind the scenes for the deployment of VoIP benefits to the users.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Why VoIP is getting an upper hand in business communication? VoIP lets you communicate on every channel that customers love. Besides, teams are so inherently connected in one place, that communication becomes a seamless process for the business. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Deep business &amp;amp; customer intelligence extracted via analytics makes &lt;a href="https://www.predictiveanalyticstoday.com/top-customer-intelligence-platform/"&gt;VoIP even better for businesses&lt;/a&gt;. And, how can we forget how it automates those mundane business tasks. &lt;br&gt;
&lt;b&gt;&lt;h2&gt;9 Core Benefits of VOIP for Business/Enterprises&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Some people might be skeptical about using VoIP for their businesses. They believe this technology is ideal just for gigantic establishments. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Also, many still believe that traditional phones are a better alternative for business communication. However, that’s not the reality. Henceforth, discussing some benefits of VoIP for businesses would certainly clear the air.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Here we will be figuring out why you must choose VoIP over a traditional landline!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Reduced Costs&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Softphone Flexibility&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Inspire Multitasking&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;HD Call Quality&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Comprehensive Portability&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Simplified Accessibility&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Innovative Features&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Accelerated Scalability&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Enhanced Staff Productivity&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Let's check out in detail;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h3&gt;1. Reduced Costs&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Cost-cutting opportunities are hailed by every business. One significant route to do that is via the VoIP phone system. This progressive tactic can shrink the business costs almost by half.  However, not every business will see the cost of nosediving. Just how the businesses differ, so do their requirements.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;However, &lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/business-internet/"&gt;switching to VoIP&lt;/a&gt;  will bring about substantial cost savings. And, that comes in two ways – direct &amp;amp; indirect.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h4&gt;Direct&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;a) PBX Price&lt;/b&gt; – An on-premise piece of hardware that connects landline phones in offices, costing organizations a huge sum of money. VoIP networks cut down this need for additional hardware. The communication is established using broadband.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;i.&lt;/b&gt; SIP Trunking could be the solution to add advanced voice features to the existing phone system.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;ii.&lt;/b&gt; SIP Trunk is a digital path that maintains voice searches, maintains existing phone hardware, manages easily, and activates services almost instantly.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;b) Ongoing Expenditures&lt;/b&gt; – The unavoidable ongoing expenditures in business like repairs, taxes, maintenance costs can be avoided with the use of VoIP. Since this technology operates on an internet connection, it is easy to cut down these business costs.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;c) Wiring Costs&lt;/b&gt; – VoIP networks allow data and voice on the same channel. It means the business can receive and send both data and voice alongside.  Wish to go completely wireless? &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;VoIP services are even available in the app. Also, most VoIP phones use only one Ethernet to be connected. Businesses often opt for PoE aka Power Over Ethernet for more modular offices. Hence, no change in building electrical wiring is requisite.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h4&gt;Indirect&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;a) Additional Features&lt;/b&gt; – VoIP includes features like call transfer, call queueing, group ringing, call forwarding, and identical services, which are ultimately valuable for the business. However, these features are not incorporated in the PBX system. Businesses additionally pay for it.  &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;b) Cost Saving while Remote Operations&lt;/b&gt; – Another VoIP benefit for a business that employees stay connected to the office phone system, even when working remotely. VoIP phone system features, including instant video calling, conference calling, and call-waiting shrinks the total cost even when an employee works remotely.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h3&gt;2. Softphone Flexibility&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Programs installed on computers/smartphones/tablets/smart devices are called Softphones. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;A perfect example of a Softphone is ‘Skype.’ The upside of Softphone for your businesses goes like this:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;b&gt;i.&lt;/b&gt; Less clutter on the desk space&lt;br&gt;
&lt;b&gt;ii.&lt;/b&gt; No supplementary cost&lt;br&gt;
&lt;b&gt;iii.&lt;/b&gt; Continuous connection with teams&lt;br&gt;
&lt;b&gt;iv.&lt;/b&gt; Apt flexibility&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h3&gt;3. Inspire Multitasking&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Communication gets better with VoIP in numerous behaviors. Users can send images, videos, files, documents all while being on the phone. Hence, the more meetings on VoIP, the merrier. This innovative technology connects users from across the globe.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h3&gt;4. HD Call Quality&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The VoIP service when rolled out first didn’t deliver such quality calls. The calls used to drop any moment, while the call quality was awfully poor. With the developments in the internet connection today, the quality of calls has certainly upgraded.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h4&gt;What ends up in a quality VoIP call?&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Excellent internet connection with good bandwidth. Therefore, when using VoIP, look for a reliable internet connection. Remember, there should be no delays, disturbing background noise, and echoes if you wish to build robust business communication. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/enterprise-phone-options/"&gt;VoIP benefits for business are colossal&lt;/a&gt;, it puts emphasis on the actual meeting agenda. Credits to advanced audio compression and noise-cancellation microphones for making VoIP systems so powerful for business communication.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h3&gt;5. Comprehensive Portability&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Are you already using any number for your business and thinking of switching to VoIP? Well, if you are, then VoIP is what you should rely on. VoIP allows you to port your existing business number and use it for business communication upfront.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If your business demands traveling, switching to VoIP could be the best decision for your business communication.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;What else?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Even in the event of changing the business address, businesses can retain the same VoIP number. Hence, amazing portability can be expected.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h3&gt;6. Simplified Accessibility&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;One of the biggest VoIP benefits for businesses is that it offers simplified accessibility. The unique upside of VoIP is to deliver the ability to make calls from anywhere across the globe. So, upon answering the calls, VoIP helps you build stronger communication. And, when they are left unanswered, it goes straight into the voicemails.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;i.&lt;/b&gt; Remote accessibility gives more flexibility to businesses. Isn’t that the best option to keep your employees productive, irrespective of their locations?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Even when you operate remotely, backing up your business with such a robust business communication tool like VoIP helps. With a VoIP phone system, employees don’t have to be physically available at the workplace. They can work remotely using their smartphones and tablets from almost anywhere.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h3&gt;7. Innovative Features&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Advanced features like call transferring and auto call attendant give more power to business communication. VoIP even allows the one-person process to project the image of a full-fledged company.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The auto-attendant feature makes you look way bigger than you are. For instance, you are just a sole proprietor, but using this innovative tool called auto attendant, you can make yourself perform like several departments.  &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h3&gt;8. Accelerated Scalability&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Out of all VoIP benefits for businesses, higher scalability is often considered the most lucrative one. No business will deny the significance of an advanced phone system for a growing business.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;VoIP phone systems build stronger business communication without buying expensive dedicated lines or hardware.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You can make the most of VoIP by toggling your preferences immediately, without investing in expensive hardware.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h3&gt;9. Enhanced Staff Productivity&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;VoIP technology improves staff productivity. VoIP features virtual meetings, conduct international conferences, exchange documents, share important data, conduct video conferencing altogether in one place.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;VoIP technology has significantly impacted business communication. It has given the business the much-needed voice clarity. This virtual connection is way more reliable than traditional phone conversations. Plus, the technology is persistently progressing. Earlier VoIP versions were not so good with the voice clarity.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The distorted calls, then, disrupted the smooth communication in the business. Dropped calls and lagging transmissions are not an issue in business communication anymore.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;However, these are not the concerns with today’s VoIP. It is way systematized and advanced now.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h2&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;VoIP benefits for businesses are incredible. Businesses are switching from that old copper-wire system to VoIP phone system for these two basic reasons:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;i.&lt;/b&gt; Diminished costs&lt;br&gt;
&lt;b&gt;ii.&lt;/b&gt; Bandwidth proficiencies  &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;VoIP, unlike traditional phones, allows users to deal with both the data and voice. And, it just requires a robust internet connection for the same. We can call it an appealing alternative for today’s businesses.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;It’s an affordable and lucrative option for businesses to experience communication at diminished cost, utmost voice clarity, and uninterrupted business interactions.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;VoIP for businesses includes voice calls, emails, web conferencing, faxes, and even virtual meetings while texting. This technology has offshoot advancement in businesses, without paying off too much.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.telecloudvoip.com/contact/"&gt;Switch to VoIP for a better business today!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

</description>
      <category>voip</category>
      <category>technology</category>
      <category>coommunicationtech</category>
    </item>
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