Written by PhoneSuite | Thu, Jul 30, 2015 @ 08:14 PM
Even if you're a business veteran, new technology can seem quite daunting. That's why many hoteliers are hesitant when it comes to upgrading to VoIP. After all, your current communications system has been working well for years, and despite the many benefits of VoIP, it's easier to stick with what you're familiar with.
Sure, it's easier, but as millions of VoIP users can attest, sticking with the old system may not be the best for your hotel. You don't have to be technical to understand what VoIP is all about, and we're here to break things down in simple terms that both technical and non-technical hotel owners can understand. This will allow you to make an informed decision on exactly why VoIP is the way to go for the future.
First, a Brief History…
It's always good to know the history of any type of technology that you are considering using, because it gives you a bit of perspective (plus, you can show off to your friends!). The first VoIP protocols were created in 1996 by VocalTec, which basically set up rules to govern the exchange of messages between two or more machines. In the past two decades, VoIP has seen other protocol sets, both standard and proprietary based on a specific product that utilized the technology. And in recent years, we've seen vast improvements in call quality and features.
Next, What VoIP is Capable Of…
As we all know, VoIP is used to make telephone calls, but that's only the tip of the iceberg. Thanks to the flexibility of VoIP, users can enjoy making calls from a computer rather than a dedicated device, video conferencing, instant messages, forwarding of calls to mobile devices, and more. VoIP also provides the same features that your hotel's standard phone system does, such as voice conferencing and call waiting, which gives you more options than ever.
Now, Let's Look at How VoIP Works…
From the point of view of the end user, the experience of using VoIP is usually no different than the use of a standard phone system. You pick up the phone, dial who you want, and then start conversing with the person on the other end. With VoIP, the differences are handled on the backend -- things like data packets being transferred from one location to another. Calls are handled through a server, with the server receiving a call, identifying it as a voice chat, and then transmitting the data over the Internet to the intended recipient. And if the recipient doesn't have a VoIP service, then the data is translated without a loss of quality or service.
And Finally, We Need to Know Where VoIP is Headed…
Thanks to both business and consumer applications, VoIP has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception. Adoption started off a little slow, but as users became aware of the advantages of using VoIP applications, many realized that VoIP is the wave of the future of communication. In recent years, the call quality of VoIP has tremendously improved, which has helped it to gain traction at a lightning pace. In fact, VoIP is now expected to surpass $76 billion in 2015. And its future outlook is quite strong as more and more businesses adopt the technology due to its flexibility, price savings, and other benefits.
Even if you're not a technical person, VoIP isn't hard to figure out. Of course, there's no reason for you to become an expert. That's what service providers like PhoneSuite are for. Our professionals will answer any questions you have and help decide on the best VoIP solution for your hotel. Whether you choose a solution where your own IT department handles the system or you opt for our Hosted PBX solution, we will provide you with the tool necessary for success.