Managed voice isn’t yesterday’s business VoIP (voice over internet protocol) system. Gone are garbled voices, jittery lines  and dropped calls that were once associated with this service. Technological advances have made business VoIP calls a reliable, clear and cost-effective solution for small and medium-sized businesses — so long as they are maintained and configured correctly. That last part is where an expert business VoIP provider comes in.

Hosted phone solutions for business are the most cost-effective and reliable when they are well-managed. A managed voice solution combines both voice and data into a fully integrated network that prioritizes voice data over other internet traffic. Because integration and configuration with your data network are so important for a successful hosted phone solution, some MSPs, like Internos Group Miami, offer managed voice services to their customers. 

The term “managed voice” is often used interchangeably with unified communications or unified communications as a service (UCaaS).

Managed VoIP Benefits for Business Over PBX Systems

Whether your business has four lines or 40, a managed voice system can handle them with ease. Choosing a business VoIP provider over a physical PBX system has many advantages for small businesses and very few disadvantages. 

First off, you’ll only pay for what you need and your costs will be adjusted based on the number of phones you use, not how many calls you make. On the other side, PBX telephone equipment is expensive, takes up space and requires staff with the technical knowledge to maintain.  

Managed voice systems can manage all your voice communications from a central web console no matter how many extensions you have or where they are located, including off-site. The solution proves to be cheaper than landlines and can also include video conferencing/team collaboration and is easily scalable without any special IT knowledge.

Managed Voice Cost Effectiveness

VoIPs are typically 50 percent cheaper than landlines in terms of the monthly cost. But why is that? Landlines have copper wiring fees and PBX charges. VoIP systems don’t.

Landline phone systems often charge for extra services such as call forwarding, call waiting and caller ID.  Those services and more are included with VoIPs/managed voice systems. Long-distance calls are included with most, too, which isn’t normally the case with landline providers.

With managed voice via a business VoIP provider, you get access to voice conferencing, voicemails sent to your email, computer-integration and automated attendants. It turns your computer, smartphone or tablet into a “softphone,” by way of an app. Translation: The system goes where you go, so access isn’t limited to one location. Voicemail, do not disturb, auto attendant, as well as mute, hold and transfer are all included.

Freeing up staff and space in the office comes with associated cost savings. You will no longer need space for PBX systems or the staff to maintain them. Instead, you get a system that handles multiple functions, is user-friendly and is easily scalable, up or down. 

Managed VoIP for Business and Scalability

A managed voice system is scalable in both directions. This means it is easy to increase new lines as you grow and gives you the ability to scale back when needed, such as for seasonal lulls. As mentioned earlier, you only pay for what you are using rather than investing in equipment that ends up gathering dust.

With a VoIP system, when you want to add more phones, all the lines in the system will be updated automatically. Every element of your hosted business phone system can be easily adjusted by your business VoIP provider.

There are expenses for each new line if you are using landlines, and buying new phones and adjusting the system to accept them only adds to the expense.

Managed Voice Features: Keeping Friendly UI in Mind

Managed voice systems can be customized with a user-friendly interface. The interface enables the user, for example, to route all incoming calls to a single number or multiple numbers based on a variety of specific controls such as day of the week, time of day, etc. 

Another popular feature is the ability to digitize voicemails into text and send them out in an email. These features and more are but a few that can be customized to your company’s specific needs.

So, Are There Any Drawbacks of Managed VoIP?

There are very few situations where a managed voice plan would not be recommended. The only determining factor in your decision-making process is your internet connection. If your business location(s) has spotty or slow internet connections, a VoIP system may not be right for you. 

However, if your business has spotty or slow internet connections, that is a challenge you also likely need to overcome for future profitability and growth.

Outside of a good internet connection, all you need for a hosted phone solution is a VoIP router, a Cat-5e ethernet cable and a business VoIP provider that can help you configure your system.  Keep in mind that with any VoIP, your physical location isn’t transmitted like it is with a landline. But, there are many other ways to let clients know your locations, including a website with your physical address, phone number and email address, or a contact us form.

Next Steps

Too much information? Contact us or book a meeting and we’ll walk you through the benefits and options as part of our quick consultation.