You may have spotted over the past few weeks that people are talking about BT looking to move towards a VoIP system over the coming years. We are getting close to the point where BT will no longer accept new ISDN orders with a view of moving all of their telephony to VoIP by the end of 2025. At that point ISDN services will no longer exist.
So I will eventually need to switch – but why now?
The COVID-19 outbreak has broken the expectations of the traditional office-based 9-5. With more people working from home than ever, business telephony has had to adapt quickly. There may be another 5 years until BT intends to move away from the ISDN network. However, remote working and access is an issue facing businesses TODAY.
Change is coming.
Whether it’s five years down the line, or tomorrow. New ways of working are here today, and they’re a very real issue. Flexible working has become a new expectation from both employees, and many businesses. But with ISDN, your business is restricted to the traditional office-based phone lines. First launched by BT in 1986, ISDN was the revolutionary new system designed to bring telephony into the future. Short for Integrated Service Digital Network, ISDN was the jump from the outdated and unreliable landline technology to a digital system. And it wasn’t just the phone that the ISDN was keeping connected. It enabled it’s users to access the fastest internet speeds at the time – 128 kbps! We regularly update our internet access to ensure the fastest and more reliable access, so why not do the same for your telephony?
Change makes us all nervous – especially when it comes to our business. But switching to VoIP might not be as big a change as you’re expecting. Perhaps you’re envisaging having to invest in all new VoIP handsets. Or maybe it’s the retraining of all your staff that’s concerning you? Well the good news is that while you should expect some change, it might not be as drastic as you think. There’s no need to buy new hardware – your telephony can be run off of your smartphone, tablet, or even your computer. With our user friendly app, you can log in from any device and access your system – wherever you’re working from that day. There’s no need to lose work hours to training staff on a new system – the app is intuitive and easy to use.
There are, however, some things that you might need to address before you can jump on the VoIP train. Here are a few small things to consider…
Have you got the juice?
A stable internet connection is key for VoiP telephony. Whether it’s WiFi or 4G – as long as you are connected to the internet you are connected to your business line. But is your internet service provider up to your standards? Give them a call and ask them if they can support VoIP systems to ensure that you’re getting the best quality service for the best price.
Get the team up to speed.
With our service, you’re going to have access to your workforce availability that you didn’t have before. With the ability to remote manage your team, it’s time to get a management plan in place. Ensure everyone knows where they sit within their call groups and what the expectation is if the phone is ringing. You can even direct calls remotely meaning that no phone goes unanswered.
Use of our features such as auto-assistant and pre-recorded messages are a must too. With calls being automatically directed to the department they’re meant for, it’s important your team knows that when their line rings, they know it’s for them!
Keep it safe.
As with shopping for any service, it’s important to know that your provider values your interests. When shopping around for the right VoIP provider for you, ask whether they are aware of the potential security complications surrounding VoIP. Ask what their security protocols are, and how they would respond. Discuss how they intend to protect your assets, and what to do should there be any concern with your experience. Ask as many questions as you can think of. Your business is just that – yours! So ensure that your provider understands just how important security is for you.
At T4COM, we pride ourselves on our systems in place to keep your data secure. From our off-site secure data stores, to end-to-end encryption on all video calls. We demand the highest level of security from our providers – why should you demand any less?
Talk to your potential provider.
Customer care is everything. If a provider isn’t taking you seriously when you’re thinking about switching to them, you have to consider how they’re going to behave once you’re a customer. At T4COM, our customer care is everything to us. All enquiries are dealt with via a single point of contact: this means that you’re not ringing around the houses trying to find an answer. All requests can be handled in-house.
With our continuous data monitoring, we’re able to look back through your logs and ascertain what went wrong. Dropped a call? Issues connecting? We can review the data and find out why. This enables us to solve any issues faster, meaning you don’t lose any business.
We want to work with you so that the bespoke package you’re receiving is specific to your business needs. In fact, we can’t talk to you enough about your business needs. That’s why we offer free, no obligation phone surgeries. We’ll recommend what we think is the best system for your business – even if that isn’t through us. No hard sell, no badgering follow up calls; we just want you to get the telephony you deserve.
Only accept what you want.
Add ons can add up quickly. Whether it’s set up costs, additional lines, extra security: you shouldn’t be paying extra for a good service. Be mindful when providers start offering features that you don’t necessarily need.
It’s easy to get swept up in deals and bargains, but be wary of anyone trying to sell you something you just don’t need. Time and consideration should be taken when you’re changing providers, and time limited deals should be approached with caution. Take the time you need to consider all your options.
At T4COM we include all costs in our one monthly bill. There’s no additional set up costs, or up front payment to get you connected. Your package will include everything that you need with no sneaky add ons or unexpected fees. Our packages are all encompassing meaning that you are literally getting what you pay for.
So, what’s the next step?
Talk to us! We’re here to answer any questions you might have about the ISDN shutdown and switching to VoIP. If you’re ready, we can have you set up in just 24 hours. Our package means you don’t pay a thing until your first bill, and each package is tailored to you. Contact us today on 01252 364384 or complete our enquiries form here for more information.
