In recent years, telecommuting has grown increasingly prevalent, and this trend has only accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Managing remote teams can be challenging. Distributed teams need strong communication to guarantee that all members are on the same page and working toward the same goals.

What is VoIP?

Voice over Internet Protocol, more often known as VoIP, is a technology that is rapidly displacing the more conventional copper line phone network. Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, sends phone calls across the internet in a manner analogous to sending emails or images worldwide. Regular phone calls are far more expensive than those in question because dedicated infrastructure is required to carry out the former. The most beneficial aspect of VoIP is that businesses can use less expensive new hardware or software to function properly. Hosted VoIP services allow businesses to utilise VoIP for phone conversations within a few hours. To get started, all a company needs are phones that are compatible with VoIP. The maintenance of the system, the addition of new features, and the protection of user data are all handled by the service provider. Here are five key features of VoIP technology for business:

1. Group calls using audio and video

The recent trend toward working from home has made it increasingly common for employees in various professions to participate in group or conference calls during their workday. Users can easily connect through VoIP, regardless of their chosen medium (audio or video). Businesses are not required to have a conference bridge or any other technology when conducting conference calls. Employees can instantly transform a regular phone into a group call using the VoIP phone service that the company provides. As long as the participants are using a device with a built-in camera, audio conversations can easily transition into video conferences. When working from home, most people miss engaging with their coworkers. Thus, group conversations can efficiently maintain good communication and morals.

2. Virtual conferences

There’s more to effective communication than just providing status updates and checking in at regular intervals. In many businesses, holding meetings is a necessary component. It’s how teams work together on shared projects and may even be used to develop new ideas and tactics. When all the staff work from home, it might be difficult for a company to duplicate a process. Businesses can now hold virtual meetings whenever they like, thanks to VoIP. Employees can also participate in ad hoc meetings to simulate the spontaneous and flexible manner in which work is performed in traditional workplace settings. Using VoIP technology, a company or organisation may quickly run employee training sessions and awareness programmes.

3. Adapt many communications systems together

Employees who work from home but need access to office equipment or software may need to help communicate efficiently with coworkers and clients. VoIP bridges the gap between many channels and blends them into a cohesive whole. Depending on the circumstances, users can move between voicemail, email, and text. It also simplifies viewing all talks with clients or suppliers in a single location, regardless of the communications system used to conduct those conversations.

4. Use different gadgets to make calls.

The days are long gone when employees were required to use a landline for work-related tasks. Users can operate from any location, and answer calls on any device, thanks to the capabilities provided by VoIP. This means that staff can answer calls not just on the traditional desk phone but also on a computer or mobile phone. The flexibility that VoIP provides, vital for effective corporate communications, can be especially useful in situations where workers work from home and have different technology.

5. Presence information (busy, away, lunch, etc.)

The presence information function is yet another significant VoIP component that contributes to efficient connections’ upkeep. When employees try to call coworkers who are either otherwise occupied or in the middle of an important meeting, they waste crucial time. Users of VoIP can control what information about their presence is displayed to other users. It is simple for an individual to determine whether or not their colleague is available for a lengthy conversation or whether or not it should be rescheduled for a later time. A great deal of flux and unpredictability marks the current environment. During these unpredictable times, investing in a VoIP system can assist in standardising parts of your business’s procedures and processes, providing your staff and customers with a measure of consistency.