Hosted Business VoIP

What is hosted VoIP?

An Internet Business Phone System, hosted VoIP, is a PBX phone system that connects through the cloud. VoIP services use software, so there is usually no hardware to purchase, install or maintain other than IP phones. VoIP systems have become as reliable as PBX systems and are quick to setup and receive calls directly from the VoIP service provider over an Internet connection.
The Hosted VoIP provider handles all the features for the system and offers support to help with any setup configurations or technical issues. Features, such as call forwarding, find me follow me, forwarding calls to a cell phone, or setting up an auto attendant can easily be set through a web based admin control panel by the user. Inside this web based administration panel the user can see details of their calls and make changes from anywhere in the world.
Expanding business phone lines or services is quick and easy; just log into your account and choose what additional services you want ( a toll free number, an extra line, etc.) and then with the click of a mouse they are there. (There will be no need to wait days or weeks like with traditional phone service.)

Hosted business VoIP; the best phone system for most companies

Hosted VoIP offers businesses the freedom to have their phone system in the cloud and with that freedom comes features, ease of use, and the very best price. Take a minute and complete a few questions below and receive quotes that you can compare fro the best deal:

Hosted VoIP or cloud based phone service was made viable and very affordable because of open source Asterisk. Instead of paying license fees providers pass along the savings in lower costs.

Advantages of hosted VoIP.

The advantages of business VoIP phone service are numerous and include:

• VoIP saves money over traditional phone service and can be as much as 30%.
• Low cost Long Distance calls and International Calls. Some plans include unlimited calls for one monthly expense.
• Numerous features, including attendants, extension dialing, voicemail, voicemail to email, call forwarding, and more.
• Help and support from the provider.
• There is no need to buy or maintain expensive PBX hardware, the provider maintains the system.
• Get only enough IP phones and lines as needed. There is no need to commit to more than you actually need as its easy to add services later.

Business Phone System Features Explained

Features make a cloud based PBX phone system an excellent business choice. All business VoIP providers offer numerous advanced features and have plans for one monthly cost per user or line. Some typical features include:

• Administration Control Panel - A web based interface where your system can be configured, user and account information administered, and call detail logs be viewed. An administration control panel that is intuitive and user friendly goes a long way in making a complete system.
• Attendant - The attendant answers incoming calls with a custom greeting and is the first voice heard by your customers. From there callers can choose options for such things as departments, people, extensions or even prerecorded messages depending on how you choose to set it up. An attendant eliminates the need for full time receptionist and help make the smallest business big and professional.
• Extensions - Having multiple extensions allows incoming calls to be routed to either people, message extensions, or even mailbox only extensions. Virtual extensions are extensions that may not have a physical phone connected to them but still are able to take calls. One example would be an extension where callers get to listen to a specialized pre-recorded message. Calls made between extensions, even ones located at remote sites are typically no charge calls which add to large savings for many businesses.
• Follow Me - Sometimes referred to as Find me - Follow me, is where a phone call uses a list of numbers to try so that you never miss a call. Some VoIP systems are so sophisticated that when you're at your office desk calls will automatically route there and when you leave will automatically be forwarded to your cell phone.
• Inbound Faxing - Faxes can be received by the hosted PBX system and then sent to the user via email, usually as a PDF attachment. The server automatically detects the inbound fax. Your phone number also becomes your fax number.
• Call Recording - Recording calls can be done with the click of a mouse. Once recorded these messages are stored with specific details for later retrieval.
• Music or Message on Hold - MOH offers professionalism and fills in the silence many callers dislike. Using a professional service for your recordings can make your messages stand out and deliver new business.
• Conference - A built in conference feature allows users to join in on a conference call any time without the hassle of having to make specific arrangements in advance.
• Call Scheduling - Also referred to as time based routing, call scheduling allows you to set specific call routing rules for certain times, whether that is weekends, nights or holidays.
• Call Queue - Allowing calls to wait for an available agent, a call queue is a like a phone waiting room. Announcements can usually be set to tell a caller their position or wait time.

Business VoIP Features do make a difference and improve productivity.

There are some features that practically everyone wants (and will use) and then there are some features that are only of special importance to specific businesses. Prospective users usually know how they want their phone service to operate, but are not sure of the terminology for specific features. To see some of what can be done with VoIP for real estate professionals or on the road salespeople, this article will show you:

VoIP for Real Estate Professionals