With the switch off of the PSTN looming ever closer, everyone will need to consider what changes they need to make to their voice telephony setups in order to be 2025 compliant. For most, this will mean a switch to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology on a high-speed and reliable broadband line. In this article we will discuss some of the benefits of a VoIP system and give examples of some real-life solutions we have executed for our customers.

The move of all telephony to a digital basis really comes into its own when you start to look at the options now available for voice calling. Features that were previously exclusive to large, expensive, physical telephone systems are now widely available for even a single user. Call waiting, hunt groups, on-the-spot diverts, detailed call reporting, answer phone messages or faxes sent directly to your email and call recordings are all features available on a VoIP system. System builds are easily scalable with additional users or extensions programmable immediately and with the introduction of app-based software a smartphone is all you need to make and receive all calls.

Most users will choose to replace their existing tech with built for purpose IP phones while there is the option for some older tech to be converted with adapters added to the existing set-up. For users always at their computer you could do away entirely with a desk phone and just use the desktop app and a headset. Those who are always on the go will need nothing more than the app on their smartphone. Hybrid workers who want to use a desk phone will find the move from office to home straightforward and seamless with the ability to take their handset from the office and plug it in at home. With no further configuration required they’ll be connected to the company phone system as if they were sat in the office. The options are vast and such a huge change from what businesses have become used to as the norm for telecoms offerings that now is the perfect opportunity to review and see if a full VoIP package is a chance to increase productivity with potentially minimal outlay.

Here are some real-world customers we have recently moved across to VoIP telephony:

Customer 1 is a large academy made up of multiple local schools. Their original set ups were such that each school had its own independent system and we saw a vast variety of equipment and manufacturers with different pieces of hardware in place across the schools.

Our solution was to onboard the academy to a single cloud environment putting all schools on to a shared system. This saw a reduction in overall ongoing costs for the academy and the rollout of the same equipment at every school also offered a real increase in efficiency for the IT team and staff that move between the locations. Features of the VoIP system that have proven especially useful for this customer include the ability to call between schools as if calling internally, call recording, enabling answer messages at short notice for emergency closures, a pre-defined school holiday message system, emergency paging groups for school-wide announcements and the auto attendant options that allow for easy distribution of inbound calls such as reporting absences, speaking to the school office and routing calls directly to after school clubs.

Customer 2 is a well-established book publisher with a shop and offices in London, a warehouse at another location and a remote workforce.

Our VoIP solution has enabled all staff across all their locations to be on the same telephone system. Presence notifications allow them to see who is working or on a call regardless of which location they are situated at. Their hybrid workers can make and receive business calls from mobile and desktop apps and can work just as efficiently and as connected with the rest of the team as if they were in the office.

Customer 3 is a building management company occupying a front reception desk in a large building with 24-hour roaming security staff.

The system we have put in place for them allows full integration with their existing door entry systems. As well as meeting all their expected voice telephony needs, they also have the ability to remotely answer the intercom and unlock the doors as required using the VoIP handset provided at the front desk or with the app if security is in another part of the building.

Customer 4 is a small business that has chosen to remove all physical handsets freeing up space in their comms room and on their desks. They operate a fully featured VoIP system using only the desktop app with headsets. Integration of this with their in-house CRM has enabled quick and easy click-to-dial features for outbound calls and inbound callers can be identified by the system and a pop-up displayed.

Customer 5 is an accountancy firm situated in a building requiring a cabling overhaul. The subsequent relocation of their comms cabinet created more space in the main office area which was increased further when a move to our VoIP system rendered their old bulky phone system redundant. As an added benefit the dedicated internet connection we installed for their VoIP needs doubles as a backup for their primary network.

Customer 6 is a nationwide car parts retailer. They have a head office and multiple branches now all on the same phone system making connectivity between locations as seamless as possible. Part of their advertising strategies utilise dedicated phone numbers which when combined with the detailed reporting options possible within the VoIP system they can see just how successful each campaign has been. Their VoIP system has been integrated with the existing mechanical bells situated in their garage workshops to alert them to calls in an environment where they would otherwise miss the ringing.

As you can see the options offered by a VoIP system are so flexible that it would be just as well suited to a large multi-site business as a small team of remote workers. Whatever your particular situation and requirements we are here to discuss this with you and come up with an efficient and effective VoIP solution. Contact our helpdesk with any queries (helpdesk@rylandcommunications.co.uk) or to discuss further.