Businesses and companies are always looking for ways to improve their productivity, workflow, and cut down costs of operations for better outcomes. Adapting to technology is a great approach, especially for aspiring businesses. Some of you might be familiar with terms like voice-over IP or SIP trunking as these novel technologies are revamping the way we communicate traditionally. If you are looking for information on SIP trunking but still can’t get a hold of the basics, don’t worry; in this article we will discuss SIP, the reasons businesses are switching from traditional telephone lines to the sophisticated session initiation protocol (SIPs), and the things you should consider when choosing a SIP trunking provider.
Understanding SIP
Simply put, session initiation protocol or SIP is the method of communicating over the internet via a voice or video call. Unlike the traditional copper-wired telephones, think of SIP as a virtual phone line that gives you the ability to communicate on a global scale using a designated phone number. Following the packet switch network protocol, the voice or video calls are first broken down into digital packets and then sent over to the desired destination through the network. The conventional PSTN telephone requires a physical connection to establish communications and can only send or receive calls from one communication channel, whereas a SIP trunk can support an unlimited number of incoming or outgoing calls, making it a reliable and safe option for businesses and corporations.
Benefits of SIP
One of the main reasons to choose a SIP for your business is its cost-effectiveness. A SIP trunking setup can significantly cut down on communication costs. Most SIP service providers charge you for the number of channels you want for your business. Besides getting services like voice and video calls, and instant messaging, the service also ensures that your communications will transition easily from different communication networks. SIP trunking requires your business to have an IP-enabled private branch exchange. You will have either the option to install an on-premises IP PBX system or avail the services of the cloud-based PBX system.
SIP for Business
There are several types of businesses that can truly benefit from SIP trunking services. Any type of business that handles a significant amount of calls each day can benefit from the features SIP trunking provides. As mentioned above, you can either go for an on-site IP PBX system or avail the services of a cloud-based PBX. An on-premises PBX system will require more investment than a cloud PBX as it will require on-site maintenance and at least one telephony expert to handle operations. Therefore, be sure to evaluate your business requirements before making a decision. Entrepreneurs and fellow business owners emphasize going for a top-quality communications voice network that facilitates your connectivity to a global audience. Furthermore, the communication service you choose should be able to provide features like call routing, recording, tracking, and secure channels by providing TLS and SRTP encryption. There are several SIP trunking providers available to choose from that offer a range of features and services catering to different business requirements. Therefore, give yourself time to research your business requirements and figure out the number of concurrent calls you make, the number of channels you require, the number of minutes for calls, and the methods for porting your existing number with SIP trunking. By gathering this information, you will be able to make informed decisions that benefit your business in the long run.
Choosing SIP services
As there are a lot of services providers in the market, you can consider the following features or services mentioned below.
Ease of Operations
A reliable service provider will give you the freedom to tweak the services according to your business requirements rather than making you follow preset packages and offers.
Data Protection
It’s the top priority of a SIP trunking provider to take care of valuable company data. These services implement the latest security measures to avoid any data breaches or identity theft that could compromise customer data. You can always check the type of security features the service providers are offering to ensure you get the most effective service available.
Data Availability
By selecting a reputable SIP provider, you can gain valuable insights from the real-time data collected from calls. This information can be analyzed to help improve your sales, customer services, and marketing strategies for better results.
Internet Providers
You will have the liberty to choose the internet service provider you feel comfortable with. Substandard SIP trunking providers might influence you to select their preferred internet provider instead of going with your choice. Choosing a quality internet connection is crucial as the bandwidth can limit the number of calls made. Normally, a SIP call takes around 100kb of bandwidth. For example, if you have an 8 MBPS internet connection, you can easily manage around 80 calls from the service. Therefore, always go with the option for the most reliable internet connection as it will be the driving force behind your trunking strategy.
Pricing
The pricing of SIP services offered also varies for each provider. Consider evaluating each option before locking in on one. Besides knowing the number of channels or the number of calls you would make with the service, remember to gather information regarding their call tariffs, setup charges, and number porting services to get a clear idea of the charges you will be paying. Most SIP suppliers are clear about their prices and even provide customer support services in case you find it hard to figure out the tariff of a plan that suits your business the best.
Besides the above-mentioned features, there are still a lot of aspects that come into play when choosing a SIP supplier. To Stand out from the rest, many SIP trunking suppliers are adapting to technologies like automation to remotely operate, monitor, and manage the service. Refer to this easy guide when choosing the best SIP service out there to ensure you select the right provider for your business. Lastly, remember that it is not necessary for you to have IT the knowledge to be able to incorporate SIP services in your business operations. All you have to do is find the right service as they will provide you with the required support and make the necessary changes according to your needs.