How to Prepare Your Office for Business VoIP
You have heard the term business VoIP and are ready to look into the key components needed for a successful installation of a business VoIP system. These key components are:
Cabling Infrastructure
Network
Dial Tone
Budget
Cabling
If you have not remodeled your office since 1975 you may need to look at your cabling. Cabling comes in different types, CAT 3, CAT 5 and CAT 6. For a business VoIP system to work with IP phones you will need to have at least CAT 5e cabling. Yes your phone and computer can share a data drop, in cases where you have great computer cabling. It would be highly recommended to have a network test done to ensure the cabling will handle this new system.
Network
You do not have to have IT staff on site to have a business VoIP system, BUT you do need to have someone who can manage your network. If you are a small business and put in a do-it-yourself router and network, it may work for the day to day operations but not for business grade phone systems. Gaynor recommends routers by Adtran for the business grade quality. Your network will need QoS. Without QoS your call quality will suffer and you will be frustrated with the quality of phone call. Vendors like Gaynor Telesystems, Inc. work with network companies to ensure the business VoIP system you install will work on the existing network, or will make recommends to get your network up to standards for VoIP.
Dial Tone/Bandwidth
Business VoIP is dependent on your bandwidth to the internet. If you’re using DSL, you will not be satisfied with the QoS and your phone system will not work. If you are a high data traffic company and using 50+% of your current bandwidth you still may not have enough. It is recommended you have tests done to ensure the bandwidth will handle the call traffic you have. In order to determine your traffic you will need information such as number of handsets, number of users, how many inbound and outbound calls, how long are the calls, and what is your data usage. A good vendor will be able to take this information and confirm your current bandwidth will work or offer a solution on what will work.
Budget
Just like all electronics, IP or business VoIP is coming down in price, but is still more expensive on the hardware side than the traditional digital or analog systems. If you do not have the cabling, network or bandwidth already in place, look at the reasons why you want business VoIP. The reasons may give you the return on investment you want or you may find it is not the right time. Also look to see if you are wanting an operating expense or a capital purchase. Each has its own tax implications, so talk to your tax advisor on which is best for you. If you are looking for an operating expense, look at hosted Business VoIP or leasing and rolling into the lease all the needed items. For a capital purchase a premise based system will most likely meet your needs.
Still not sure? Contact Gaynor below to have an on-site consultation to review your needs, your current infrastructure and your budgeting. We can assist you with finding your path.