VIDEO: Make the Switch: Analog to VoIP

Transcript:

Welcome to the Telonium Thursdays Whiteboard Web Series. I’m your host for the week, Alice. Last week, Alex was here discussing the difference between on-site phone systems and hosted phone systems.

Today we’ll be discussing making the switch from analog to VoIP. If you’re a small to medium sized business and you’re watching this right now, you might be thinking “well, I already have a phone system, why would I want to make the switch? And, but the pain of installing a phone system is annoying not to mention the cost!”

Well, I’m here to tell you it’s very easy.

 

We’ve broken the process down for you into 4 easy steps:

Step #1: Evaluate your Internet Connection.

Make sure the internet speed is going to be fast enough. On Telonium’s website, we have a tool made just for this purpose. If you do find out your internet speed is not fast enough, then we’re here to help. We’ll help you shop around for the right internet provider for your location.

Step #2: Start the porting process.

Porting your number just means moving the number you currently have from your previous analog provider to your new hosted provider. There’s only a small fee for this and it usually takes between 2 to 5 weeks; it just depends on your analog provider.

Step #3: Think about ideal caller experience.

Start thinking about what kind of experience you want callers to have when they call your company. Some people like having an actual person to answer the phone while others prefer an automated attendant to answer the phone. Here at Telonium we believe in helping you customize the caller experience to fit your particular needs. Once you decide what you would like, we’ll even set it up for you.

Okay, step 4: Now it’s time to order your IP phones and install them.

It takes only a few days to get them delivered, but you want to do this as soon as possible just to make sure they’re on their way. On average, it usually takes longer to get your number ported than it does to receive your phones. Also, remember, with IP phones, you only need to buy as many phones as you have people. Have 5 people at your company? Buy 5 phones. A lot of people have become used to analog where you have to get all the phones at once due to fear they will become outdated or stop producing them; this is not a problem with hosted providers. Also, if you decide to switch from one VoIP provider to the next, you can just take your phones with you.

Now it’s time to install. We didn’t even put this in its own step because it’s that easy. If you have basic computer proficiency you can do this all on your own.  It’s even easier than installing instagram.

Now that you’ve completed these four easy steps and ended your contract with your old analog provider and have your new system set up, it’s back to business as usual!

 

Thanks for watching  and make sure to stay tuned for next week’s Telonium Thursdays Whiteboard Web Series. Again, I was your host for the day, Alice. Until then, don’t forget to visit our website at www.telonium.com, tweet us at @telonium, or follow us on pinterest and instagram. Until next time.