DCS Telecom VoIP Phones - New era of communication | Page 3

What You Should Consider Before
Switching to VoIP Phone Systems?
 Consider the size of your business. You have to understand that every business is different, so what
works for one business may not be suitable for yours too. This is the reason why not all VoIP
deployments are the same. You do not really need a highly sophisticated VoIP service when you are
a 1-3 person company. In case your business is smaller than 15 people, you may benefit from a
hosted VoIP system. For a larger business, you would want to consider the options of both on-site
and off-site based VoIP phone systems.
 The type of Local Area Network support you have available in your area is another important
consideration. The quality of your network will have a huge impact on the quality of calls you can
make through your VoIP phone system. You just cannot hope to get maximum benefits from your
VoIP service if you do not pay attention to having a high quality LAN connection. If your business
relies heavily on the Internet, it makes great sense to set up a separate network for your VoIP
service. You can also invest in network switches to improve the quality of service.
 Consider the available bandwidth when switching to a VoIP system. This is extremely important if
your main goal is to save money with a VoIP system. That additional VoIP traffic needs a better
internet connection with a higher bandwidth, and that is why you should be willing to upgrade your
internet connection. Be sure to ask your VoIP service provider about the size of your voice packets
to determine adequate bandwidth. It is also a good idea to take advantage of "bandwidth shaping
services, which ensure that voice packets get more attention than your data packets.
 Know how many long distance calls you have to make on a regular basis. Many people switch to
VoIP phone systems thinking that it is a cost-effective way to make calls. It certainly is, but you are
not going to experience that benefit if your business relies heavily on local calls. You will notice a
reduction in overall cost if your business involves long distance calls.