voip Archives · AE Technology Group

5 Tips for Making the Most of VoIP with Microsoft

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology is gaining popularity as a cost-effective alternative to traditional telephone services. Microsoft provides easy-to-use solutions that allow businesses to take full advantage of this modern technology. Here are five tips for making the most of VoIP with Microsoft:

Invest in a Reliable Internet Connection

For optimal performance, it’s essential to invest in a reliable internet connection to ensure uninterrupted service when using VoIP with Microsoft. High speed broadband connections provide a much faster and more efficient experience than slow dial-up connections, so be sure to take this into account when choosing an internet service provider.

Utilize Dedicated PSTN Lines and IP Phones

To ensure superior call quality when using VoIP with Microsoft, consider investing in dedicated PSTN lines and IP phones. These specialized solutions will give you access to advanced features like voicemail-to-email integration, automated attendant services, and many other functions that can improve customer satisfaction.

Take Advantage of Advanced Features

Microsoft’s VoIP solutions come packed with lots of useful features that can help maximize efficiency while improving customer service. Consider taking advantage of these features by setting up voicemail-to-email integration and other automated processes that could streamline your business operations.

Ensure Your System Meets the Minimum Requirements

In order for your system to run optimally, it’s important to make sure it meets the minimum requirements for running VoIP from Microsoft. Be sure to check if your current hardware is compatible or if you need any additional equipment before getting started. If necessary, you may need to upgrade certain components such as networking switches or routers before using the service.

Consider Hosted Solutions

If you don’t have an IT staff on hand or are looking for ways to minimize costs without sacrificing quality, then consider investing in a hosted solution for your VoIP needs. Hosted solutions offer numerous benefits such as scalability and cost savings compared to purchasing hardware and software separately—making them an ideal option for small businesses looking for ways to save money while still taking full advantage of all the features available from Microsoft’s VoIP services.

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4 Reasons to Get Rid of Your Landline Telephone

close up image of a landline telephone focusing on it's keypad

Your landline telephone may have once been a prominent part of your business’ communication infrastructure, but chances are that it’s fallen on hard times since you last used it. In fact, you might be surprised to find that there are quite a few arguments against using a landline for your organization’s phone system, especially with more modern tools such as VoIP solutions eclipsing it in usefulness.

Here are four reasons why you might reconsider your business’s landline telephone setup.

#1: Adding New Users is a Hassle

Chances are that your office was designed to handle a certain number of employees at any given time. As such, there are phone lines wired across your office for those employees… But what happens when your business starts to grow? Adding new phone lines might require changes to your office setup and perhaps even construction, which is something that can be both timely and costly. In other words, you want a telephone solution that doesn’t rely on messing with pre-existing infrastructure in order to be effective.

#2: It’s Not Flexible Enough for Modern Businesses

When you use a landline in your office, your employees are essentially tethered to their desks in order to answer the phone. This is the exact opposite of what needs to happen in the modern office. Employees should be able to answer their phones and stay in touch with their coworkers even while out of the office, and especially while on the road for business trips.

#3: There Are Other Costs Associated with Landlines

Many businesses and consumers overpay for their landline telephone solutions, as they are often bundled together with other services that are not necessarily used. One key example of this is cable television being bundled with phone service. You need a solution that lets you customize it to suit the specific needs of your business, not what the provider thinks you need in order to be successful.

#4: There Are Better Options Available

Why bother with landlines when other (better) technology solutions are available? Using outdated technology is a surefire way to fall behind your competitors and lose ground in the long run. One way you can ditch the landline is by implementing a Voice over IP solution that utilizes existing infrastructure (your Internet) rather than running new lines all over your office. Plus, VoIP can be used on desktops, laptops, and smartphones, making it much more flexible and, by extension, useful.

Implement VoIP Solutions Today!

AE Technology Group can help outfit your organization with the latest VoIP solutions that are designed to improve operations. These solutions are most effective when they are tailored to fit the needs of your business. To learn more about how we can help your organization thrive, reach out to us at (516) 536-5006.

Small Business Phone And Internet Service

What Your Traditional Phone Provider Isn’t Telling You

It’s no secret the demand for small business phone and internet service is through the roof these days. But what’s the big deal about a VoIP phone system for business?

Well, many business owners figured out this is a vehicle that will help them save money. Here are two concrete benefits.

Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed

When the customer is happy, the business owner is happy. It’s really easy for business owners to underestimate the importance of a happy customer, but that is definitely a mistake. The blog TeleAppliant notes:

It’s cheaper to retain customers than acquire new ones, so it’s vital that you keep yours happy; with happier customers comes increased loyalty and ultimately, repeat business. VoIP telephone systems will make sure you answer every call, whilst enabling you to gather tangible details on customer behavior that allows you to make smarter business decisions.

People notice details. Your customers notice details. A missed call, a call you don’t answer right away, can damage your brand, whether you know it or not. Use a VoIP service to make sure you get every call every time.

Work Anywhere And Anytime

A VoIP business phone system allows you to get information from anywhere. If someone leaves you a message, you don’t have to wait until tomorrow morning to see it. You will have the ability to access on any device that you connect to the internet with.

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Three Things About VoIP Phone Systems for Office 365 You Should Really Know

If you’re considering a voip phone system for office 365, then you’ll want to make sure you know these three things:

Integration with Microsoft Lync:

VoIP is about to make a huge stride in terms of popularity because of its support by Microsoft Lync. The software makes it convenient and easy for businesses to integrate VoIP. The most important aspect of this is that it uses a Microsoft-styled interface which just about everyone is comfortable with. It’s not a difficult transition for employees since they don’t have to get used to a completely new interface.

Collaboration:

Once they open the program for the very first time, employees will notice one thing immediately: many features of Microsoft Lync have to do with collaboration. Whether messaging or calling, the software makes it easy for employees to communicate with each other. This is especially useful for hosting meetings online. Again, because the interface is rather straight-forward, employees won’t need extensive training to learn how to set up or attend meetings on Microsoft Lync.

Cost-effective communications solution:

On top of all this, businesses will save a lot of money after they switch to VoIP. Although a lot has changed since VoIP was initially developed, one thing holds true for small businesses: it’s an extremely cost-effective communications solution. It’s not uncommon for businesses to have their phone bill cut in half once they leave their landline phone provider and switch to VoIP. This benefit isn’t going to change anytime soon.

If you were thinking about VoIP in the past but decided your business wasn’t ready for the transition, now is the time to reconsider. Unlike in the past, VoIP can now be integrated with office 365. The benefits are still the same, but a lot of the hurdles have been taken away.

To talk more about this, or anything else, please contact us. Thanks.

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How Microsoft Lync Helps Employees with the Transition to VoIP

Switching to VoIP isn’t just a change in technology for businesses. It’s also a change in culture that employees have to get used to. While VoIP can be integrated with Microsoft Lync for easy accessibility, it’s still a different system that employees have to learn.

A recent CIO article describes the transition to VoIP and explains its effect on company culture. The article explains that some departments will welcome the technology while other will be more reluctant to use it:

“Some groups have embraced Lync. They love how it reroutes your office number to Lync and allows you to work at home when you need to. But for others the attitude is, ‘give me a phone and go away — I don’t want to use any of this fancy stuff.’ It depends on the department and how they want to use Lync.”

The development of VoIP represents the biggest change to calling in recent memory. Other than that, employees have been uses the same phones and the same system for years. They may be hesitant at first to learn a new system because they’re so used to landline phones.

Using Microsoft Lync assists employees greatly in the transition to VoIP. It’s a user-friendly, easy-to-use program that doesn’t come with a big learning curve. Employees will be able to make and receive calls and set their voicemail in their very first hour of using the system.

Then when employees have mastered basic functions, they can move on to collaboration and web conferencing. These features of Microsoft Lync improve business communications and provide companies with more options. After a few days of using Lync, employees will get hang of it and departments will use it as their main source of communication.

If you would like more information about a VoIP phone system for office 365, contact us.

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