In order to ensure that your business runs as smoothly as possible, it’s imperative that entrepreneurs properly manage their IT obligations. Otherwise, it’s highly likely that you’ll find yourself running into various complications in the future.

This is especially true regarding your company’s phone system. Fortunately, voiceover Internet protocol (VoIP) is a solution that comes with a large amount of utility for most businesses. But, not everybody is aware of the benefits that it provides.

Not quite sure how to begin? We’ve got all the info you need.

Let’s explore everything you should keep in mind when it comes to understanding VoIP.

What Exactly Is VoIP?

As previously mentioned, this term stands for ‘voiceover Internet Protocol.’ More specifically, it refers to the fact that VoIP service allows entrepreneurs to place calls over the Internet as opposed to relying on a traditional phone system.

For this reason, many people have begun to consider this type of service as a viable alternative to working with a local phone service provider. The term ‘Internet protocol’ is a reference to the same Internet protocol (IP) that computers use to help facilitate communication with other devices.

How Does It Work?

Although it can seem difficult understanding VOIP, it’s a relatively straightforward process.

First, the phone you’re using to communicate with will connect to your local area network (LAN) via a router or switch. In order to establish a connection with the other party, your phone communicates with your VoIP provider.

Your service provider will then facilitate the connection and oversee the exchange of data packets from your device. They will then convert this data into sound, allowing you to speak on the phone as you normally would under other circumstances.

The main benefit of this type of process is that you completely bypass the need to work with a telephone company. In fact, all you’ll truly need is a reliable Internet connection in order to communicate effectively.

In general, suitable connection types include DSL, fiber, or cable.

What Benefits Does It Provide to Business Owners?

Due to how easy VoIP service is to integrate into your company’s operations, it’s often chosen as a primary option specifically for this reason. But, there’s a handful of other benefits that you can take advantage of.

Let’s explore some of the most notable.

High-Quality Connections

One of the most notable benefits that VoIP service is able to provide is the quality of the connection.

In the vast majority of circumstances, you’ll experience crystal-clear communication with the other party. This is particularly beneficial for businesses that use phones as a primary method of communication.

It’s also useful for companies that are frequently involved in conference calls with other parties. You won’t have to worry about being unable to hear what others are saying or asking them to repeat themselves.

Cost-Efficiency

Since VoIP service allows you to forego working with a phone company, you’ll be able to eliminate this cost entirely. Additionally, since you’re already paying for Internet service, you won’t have to allocate extra money toward this obligation, either.

The actual cost of VIP is relatively cheap, so you’ll find that you can easily save a significant amount of money by migrating over to this service option as opposed to one provided by a traditional phone company. Smaller businesses often don’t have a large amount of capital to work with. Saving any money that you can is often a crucial process.

International Calling

For those who frequently deal with international clients, it’s no secret that international calls can be a complicated process. A sub-optimal agreement with a traditional phone service provider can also cause calls of this type to quickly become a notable expense.

In many circumstances, though, VoIP service allows you to make international calls for as low as a few cents per minute. This makes even extensive conversations a marginal expense.

Additional Service Features

Depending on what service provider you choose to work with, you’ll have a handful of advanced features to choose from. This typically includes call waiting, call queuing, the capability to record conversations, etc.

You can mix and match these as needed depending on the utility that they provide to your company. Many of them are also often included in your plan, so take advantage of these features at no extra cost.

Low Bandwidth Usage

Many entrepreneurs worry about incorporating a phone system that relies on the Internet connection out of fear it will affect their other applications. This is particularly true for companies that make use of processes that inherently have a high bandwidth usage, such as app development.

Fortunately, VoIP is designed to use only the resources that it needs to.

One of the primary ways it accomplishes this is through how it handles silence and phone conversations. Roughly half of all phone conversations are composed of silence, which VoIP service is handled by only transmitting information that has voice data present.

The result is a much smaller file size, which uses bandwidth far more efficiently.

Understanding VOIP Can Seem Complicated

But the above information will make the process far smoother.

From here, you’ll be able to ensure that you’re properly understanding VoIP and how you can apply it to your business. This will allow you to make the best decision possible for the future growth of your company.

Want to learn more about what we have to offer? Feel free to reach out to us today and see how we can help.

It’s no secret that working with a cloud service provider can significantly increase the productivity and security of your business. It can be difficult, though, to choose the one that’s best for you.

Although there are a handful of options, Many people often find themselves deciding between Microsoft Azure and a private cloud service provider.

Don’t worry if you’re not quite sure where to start— we’ve got all the info you need to keep in mind.

Let’s explore the major differences between these two types of cloud service providers.

What Is Microsoft’s Azure?

Interestingly, Microsoft Azure is actually a handful of products as opposed to a single entity. These are specifically designed to help businesses overcome common obstacles while being notably easy to integrate.

Microsoft has also stated that approximately 95 percent of Fortune 500 companies utilize Azure for their cloud services. These include Epicor, Nokia, and Microsoft itself.

Since Azure consists of so many different products, it’s able to provide solutions for companies that operate within any industry. Despite the name, Azure also supports virtually every application across multiple different operating systems as opposed to only Windows.

How Is a Private Cloud Service Provider Defined?

As the name suggests, a private cloud service provider offers dedicated cloud services to a particular business. This directly contrasts public cloud services, which involve multiple businesses accessing the same pool of resources.

To elaborate, all of the information within a private cloud server is only accessible by a single business. Most companies prefer to use local data centers for this type of service, but some opt to use colocation centers instead.

Pros and Cons: Azure

In order to make the decision that’s best for your company, you’ll need to have a thorough understanding of where Azure excels and where it falls short.

While there aren’t many shortcomings between the two types of service, they’re essential to know so that you can gain insight into how they will impact your business.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of Azure.

The Pros

Azure is renowned for being unrestricted by geographic location. This makes access a much easier process than it would be with other service providers.

Business owners will also be pleased to know that they only need to pay for the resources that they use. This is particularly useful for smaller companies that don’t have a large amount of capital to work with.

As previously mentioned, you have a large amount of flexibility when it comes to what applications you can run. The same can be said about the operating systems that you use.

Since Azure is consistently monitored and developed by a team of experts at Microsoft, it boasts a notable level of data security.

The Cons

Azure only serves as an infrastructure— any application setup and deployment are solely up to the user. Smaller businesses may need to outsource to a different IT professional to handle this application.

But, there are ways that small businesses can handle the nuances that come with Azure.

Companies that use virtual machines will also need to monitor for certain increases in load, as they are not load-balanced by default. If your server is located in a different country, you may also need to navigate certain regulations regarding security and privacy that you normally wouldn’t.

Pros and Cons: Private Cloud Service

In some cases, private cloud service may be a more suitable option than Azure. But, you won’t be able to make an informed decision until you understand what it is and isn’t capable of.

Listed below are the most notable aspects of each category.

Pros

Since private cloud service is only accessible by a single business, it comes with a notable level of security. Since even a single data breach could result in millions of dollars lost revenue, it’s imperative that you keep your information as protected as possible.

You’ll also have a significant amount of control over your server, allowing you to tailor its operation to your needs. Under the right circumstances, a properly-configured private cloud server can be a highly cost-effective option when it comes to securing and managing your company’s data.

Cons

Infrastructure setup results in having to allocate more resources toward this obligation. This becomes even more significant for larger businesses, where costs quickly rise exponentially.

The cost of the service itself can also be an issue in some cases, especially if your company isn’t able to fully utilize it on a regular basis. If your budget for this service is particularly low, you’ll likely need a very specific configuration to make the most of it.

As companies scale, they’ll also need to integrate additional hardware— something that could make growing your business more difficult if you don’t have the extra resources required.

So, Which Is Right for You?

The right decision will depend entirely on the needs of your company. If you need more flexibility and want to be more involved in your server’s configuration, private cloud service is likely the best option.

If you have a larger company that needs premier cloud service, Azure is suitable in most cases. As long as the service you choose is able to satisfy your needs effectively (without stretching your budget), then it’s the correct decision for your business.

It Can Seem Complicated to Decide Between These Cloud Service Providers

But the above information will make the process far easier than you may have anticipated. From here, you’ll be able to make sure that you make the right decision out of the cloud service providers you’re considering.

Want to learn more about what we have to offer? Feel free to reach out to us today and see how we can help.

In order to optimize the efficiency of your business, you’re going to have to manage your data appropriately. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools out there to help you do so.

Microsoft Azure is one of the most notable, but not everyone knows enough about it to decide if it’s right for them.

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the benefits of Azure hosting.

1. Cloud-Based Search

One of the most useful features that Microsoft Azure hosting provides to users is the capability to make use of its intuitive search function.

This is particularly useful for companies that work with large amounts of data, such as wholesalers. Once a data set reaches a large enough size, it’s no longer feasible to sift through it manually.

You’re also able to make use of this feature for any type of content, and business owners who have a difficult time find the information they’re looking for will benefit highly from this functionality.

2. Virtual Machine Integration

A company will often use a virtual machine to run software that their computer’s operating system normally wouldn’t be able to. For example, they could open .exe files on an Apple computer. Other companies may use a virtual machine for development purposes.

Businesses that frequently use this type of software will benefit highly from how streamlined they can do so through Microsoft Azure.
 Not only will this help increase the company’s overall efficiency, but it could also boost its security, as well.

A notable example of this is through running software within a virtual machine to test for any adverse effects.

3. Scalable Data Storage

As your company grows, so do your data storage needs.

Azure lets users seamlessly transfer relevant data to the cloud while archiving data they no longer have use for. So, your company will have no issue managing a large amount of data while it grows, and it will still have access to older information if necessary.


4. Media Services Tool

The Microsoft Azure Media Services tool can help you easily incorporate video encoding and streaming into your company’s practices. But, you’re also able to utilize artificial intelligence to acquire relevant metadata that you may need.

While the amount of use that you get out of this too will depend on your company’s overall needs, it’s one of the most efficient ways to handle the above obligations. So, keep it in mind if your business is delivering video content to your audience.

5. Mobile App Functionality

Microsoft Azure comes integrated with a Mobile Apps tool that allows you to create your own mobile applications for various operating systems, including iOS and Android
.

You’ll be able to incorporate the same level functionality that you would find in traditional applications, such as push notifications, authentication, etc.

This tool can enhance your company’s internal workflow. For instance, a business may decide to develop its own communication app that employees can use to quickly reach each other, share information about projects, etc.

This will allow you to significantly enhance your productivity and generate more revenue in the future.

6. Seamless Data Backups

As you may expect, Microsoft Azure hosting has plenty of utility when it comes to backing up your data due to how flexible its storage options are.

Since even a short period of downtime can cost a business thousands of dollars in lost revenue, it’s imperative that you always have access to the information you need. To take this a step further, you’re also able to add permissions regarding who is able to access what type of information.

This will help prevent unauthorized activity that could threaten your company’s sensitive data.

7. Site Recovery

Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to prevent disaster from striking.

Even larger companies are vulnerable to cybercrime, as was witnessed with the Equifax security breach. Similarly, IT downtime is something that can occur without warning and last far longer than you’re prepared for.

Luckily, much of this damage and inconvenience can be mitigated by utilizing Azure’s site recovery service. Since all of your data will already be properly stored and backed up, restoring the functionality of your site is often a task that has few obstacles.


8. Flexible Security Options

As previously mentioned, you’re able to set permissions regarding who has access to your company’s backed-up data
. But, this level of functionality applies to other forms of data access, as well.

Securing documents, email access, and other similar information is a streamlined process through Azure’s Information Protection tool. You will also find that there are plenty of options to help you categorize and further protect information.

This includes the capability to:

• Add/revoke user access
• Limit what actions can be taken by users
• Classify data based on the level of sensitivity
• Control what parties the data is able to share with

Establishing a thorough security infrastructure will ensure that you minimize the chances of your company’s data becoming compromised or otherwise mishandled.

Deciding If Microsoft Azure Hosting Is Right for You Can Seem Difficult

But it doesn’t have to be.

With the above information about the benefits of Microsoft Azure in mind, you’ll be well on your way toward making the decision that’s best for you.

Want to learn more about how we can help? Feel free to get in touch with us today to see what we can do.

Did you know that VoIP solutions can save businesses 90% of international call and start-up costs? As well as 40% of local phone call costs?

Savings like these are one of the reasons VoIP is becoming a go-to business communications solution. However, before you jump to sign up with a VoIP provider, it’s essential that you ask the right questions.

If you are looking for a reliable 3CX VoIP provider, there are literally hundreds of options out there. However, not all of these companies provide the same quality of service.

As the VoIP industry is growing at a rapid rate, a lot of new companies are popping up. However, whether they can serve their clients well and stand the test of time is not always a given.

If you want to vet out a highly reliable VoIP provider that will provide you with the right VoIP system for your needs, keep reading. Here at Velecor, we understand what it takes to provide a seamless VoIP experience, and we’re committed to helping you find the best solution.

1. What Is the Call Quality Like?

One of the first questions you need to ask is around call quality. If you will be using your VoIP phone system to communicate with clients, it’s essential that your lines are clear. Voice delays, and lag and latency issues do not look good (or shall we say sound good) from a customer’s perspective.

What’s more, a bad connection can lead to break downs in communication between your staff and customers.

Because of this, it’s often worth paying a little more for better call quality. Cutting corners on VoIP expenses—which are reasonable as it is—just to lose brand trust is not worth it.

If you are planning to use a VoIP phone service for staff communication only, you could compromise slightly on call quality to offset costs. However, you still need to make sure that call quality is reasonable.

2. What Is the Service Disruption Rate?

Another question to ask a potential 3CX VoIP provider is their rate of service disruption. When service disruption happens, you either won’t be able to use your VoIP phone system, or the quality will plummet.

To guard against this happening, ask any potential VoIP providers for a history of their network alerts. This will reveal how often their service is disrupted.

Besides this, you should also ask them how you will be notified if there is a disruption, and where you can find information on it.

3. How Long Have They Been in Business?

Another key question to ask a potential 3CX VoIP provider is how long they have been in business.

According to reports, the VoIP sector is expected to expand to take over 40% of the telecommunications market by 2025. This massive expansion means that a lot of new companies will be, and are, opening up.

Vey new companies do not have a proven track record and often experience teething problems during their initial growth phases. Newer companies are also more likely to close down unexpectedly.

Therefore, in most cases, it is best to go with a 3CX VoIP provider that has been in business for a few years and has proven their worth.

4. What Is Their Customer Support Like?

With solutions like managed services and VoIP, customer support is key. If your system goes down for some inexplicable reason, you need to be able to get in contact with your provider asap so the problem can be rectified.

If a provider is difficult to reach or does not have a round-the-clock support function, this could result in you being stranded with your VoIP phone service out of order.

Therefore, when choosing between VoIP providers, make customer support a priority. You can start by asking the providers themselves about their support level. From there, it’s also a good idea to go and look at any online reviews they might have to see if their support is as good as they say.

5. What Are the Costs?

When looking to switch to a VoIP phone system, costs are always an important area to look into.

As we said above, the cheapest options are not always the ones you want to choose. However, you also don’t want to get ripped off or pay for capacities that you don’t need.

Therefore, ask all potential providers for an itemized quote so that you understand the way they levy costs. When doing so, you’ll want to ask things like:

• What does it cost to add a phone?
• Can one user have more than one phone?
• What is not included in this quote?

This last question is particularly important given that a lot of providers will quote you on the bare basics. Then once you get up and running, you find that your business will need extra lines, bandwidth, etc, and the costs start to rise far above the original quote.

6. Is There a Contract?

Finally, you should always ask any potential 3CX VoIP provider whether you will need to sign a contract with them. Typically the contract is for services to host the 3CX services and provide support for the devices

Typically the contracts are annual recurring contracts that allow you to end services with a 30 day notice. These contracts help to ensure the quality of the service and overall up time.

Are You Looking for a Rock Solid 3CX VoIP Provider?

Finding the right 3CX VoIP provider isn’t hard once you know what questions to ask. Are you ready to start vetting potential VoIP providers?

If so, do your business a favor and start with us.

We are an advanced, certified 3CX engineer and provider, who also specializes in managed services. We know that when it comes to IT, one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work. This is why we focus on providing tailored solutions to meet your business’s needs.

Additionally, we also know that most business owners want to keep their focus where it’s needed most, on core operations. Therefore, we work tirelessly to ensure all applications are 100% integrated right from the start. Thanks to this, your business has a minimum of teething issues and downtime when you work with us.

Want to ask us some of those key questions listed above? If yes, give us a call.