With the rise in remote and hybrid working, a comprehensive VoIP system has become a necessity for almost every business. This is especially true for organisations with employees in different locations, requiring them to have advanced functionality for both collaborative and communicative purposes.
Choosing the right supplier can be a daunting task, though. With so many options out there, each with its own set of features and functionality, it’s easy to see why many business owners opt for the simplest and easiest solution.
Recently, though, businesses have started using companies like Microsoft and Zoom for both their VoIP and collaborative system requirements. It’s easy to see why, with both solutions providing a complete set of VoIP features as well as an advanced collaborative platform, often for cheaper than a regular phone system provider.
Wizard IT are one of these companies, trusting our VoIP needs to Microsoft Teams. In this article, we’re going to discuss why we opted to use them and why you should switch your business over to a Teams or Zoom VoIP solution.
What are the advantages of using Teams or Zoom over a traditional VoIP system?
Moving into the VoIP space in 2016, Microsoft only started seeing a lot of traction for their VoIP services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The same can be said of Zoom, which saw immense growth during this period. There are several reasons for this, showing why so many businesses have decided to make the switch from traditional VoIP providers.
Cost
As many businesses have converted to a fully remote or hybrid working arrangement, the need for extra collaboration means that a solution like Teams or Zoom is essential. By opting for a single subscription cost for both the VoIP and collaborative functionality, you could save up to 50% per month on your bill.
On top of the numerous features and integrations that a traditional VoIP service wouldn’t provide, the switch is a no-brainer when it comes to cost.
Functionality
The difference in functionality between Teams and traditional VoIP services is stark. Firstly, the fact that Teams and Zoom are entirely cloud-based eliminates the need for any on-premises hardware. Secondly, as you are rolling your VoIP functionality into your existing collaboration software, whether it be Team or Zooms, there’s no need to manage any extra software or licenses which would be required if you were integrating a separate VoIP service.
The ability to utilise all of the functionality from any device is another key benefit. Whether you’re using a computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, all of Team’s functionality is available, including VoIP.
Unlike a traditional VoIP service, Teams provides a whole array of collaboration functionality including a suite of instant messaging features supporting one-to-one chat and group chats, voice and video calls, document sharing, Microsoft suite integration, calendar support, and much, much more.
Integration
Another key benefit that Teams and Zoom have is their ability to integrate with your existing IT solutions. For example, Teams seamlessly integrates with all of your Microsoft products. If like many businesses you utilise Microsoft 365, the level of integration is extraordinary.
This allows you to move from instant messaging to a phone call to a video conference with a full communication history all stored in one place. It also makes it far easier to collaborate on projects, share & annotate documentation, and improve efficiency for remote and hybrid workers.
Outside of Microsoft products, Teams integrates with over 600 other pieces of software, websites, and platforms. This level of integration isn’t possible with traditional VoIP solutions. The level of power this puts into the hands of your employees is incredible and ensures they will be able to utilise everything they need for their job as efficiently as possible.
Is your organisation looking to make the switch to a Teams or Zoom VoIP system? Get in touch with us today. Our IT & VoIP experts will be happy to talk you through the solutions available as well as answer any questions you might have.
