Making the transition from LAN to VOIP can be a tricky one, particularly within a business. But the initial inconveniences are well worth the savings VOIP can offer. VOIP can be especially cost efficient if your employees are prone to making domestic long distance calls or international calls. VOIP has some convenient features as well, like sending voice mail messages to your email box. Here are a few suggestions to make your LAN to VOIP transition a little smoother.
Stage it out
Your business lines are extremely important, and no business can afford time without telephone communication. Unfortunately, with all new services there is the risk of initial complications. That is why it is a good idea to move over just a few lines in the very beginning. If all goes well with the starter lines, then proceed to move the remaining lines over as well.
Plan ahead!
Since VOIP is essentially telephone over the internet, your service can be interrupted due to an interruption in internet connectivity. Redundant connections (which can also be aggregated to provide more bandwidth) will prevent loss of your phone service if one ISP should experience downtime. Your VOIP server required power, so you should also prepare for power outages. Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and/or backup generators can be used to prevent any problems with power outages.
Be ware of legal, compliance, and safety issues
If you are in a regulated industry, compliance requirements for your VOIP network is the same as it would be for your data network. Be sure to secure the privacy of client data. There is also the issue of 9-1-1. The FCC requires that interconnected VoIP providers supply 9-1-1 services to their customers, along with obtaining your physical location so it can be associated with your number(s). Just be sure to contact your provider about any location changes you might make.
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Relevant Tags:business lines, internet connectivity, telephone over the internet, voice mail messages