VoIP… beware of internet telephone systems that claim to slash bills but can turn out to be an expensive mistake…

The internet can be a great place to do business – but it is also has its pitfalls. One of my growing concerns is about internet telephony systems, commonly known as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).

There are tremendous advantages for businesses in having a cloud telephone system but all too often we are called to firefight systems that do not work due to poor installations, poor connectivity and products that do not deliver. In essence some businesses are fooled by sales patter and choose the wrong provider.

The problem is not all systems and suppliers are the same. In fact there is a broad range of providers many of whom do not see after sales customer care or security as their priority.

We have dealt with a number of cases recently. One case involved a persuasive salesperson who convinced a company to switch from traditional phone lines to a VOIP system. They sent some phones with a router with instructions to plug in and go. Needless to say they didn’t work. Neither did two replacement routers. 

The firm began to panic and after 11 days without broadband or phones we were called in and swung into action  We installed a secure, working system and I managed that business out of the costly three year contract they had entered into.

I am seeing cases like this more and more often. Instead I would like to see more awareness about the pitfalls of choosing a provider that may not be acting in the best interest of your business.

At CapNet we have engineers on call and we manage, maintain and upgrade systems so that businesses can run seamlessly.  We also provide dedicated voice broadband connectivity, not a plug in and go system that could see calls routed all over the world resulting in a degradation of quality and service. The system we install is for VoIP traffic only system.

Once a business is up and running with a secure and flexible system the advantages are apparent. For a start there is no need to pay for hardware such as a PBX and all calls to 01. 02. 03 and 07 numbers are free – a great boost for companies with multi sites.

Now it is true that every business can have problems with internet connectivity but we provide a business connectivity service that works even if broadband is down.

Our system also offer a range of features such as call record, voicemail, auto attendant and music on hold.  I think most people would agree that seeing someone in person with a team of engineers on hand is a better and more reliable proposition that a remote web based company who do not have their own field engineers.

Once you get the right system in place you can see that VOIP is a no-brainer. But get it wrong and you could be left counting the cost for many years.

Dan Taylor

CapNet