Common telecoms buzz words
In the current climate, businesses have been forced to take a look at their communications set up and consider whether or not it can effectively and efficiently keep their teams connected whilst maintaining business continuity, in what has proven to be a rapidly changing landscape.
With an array of products and services currently saturating the market, and new technology being developed all the time, it can be somewhat overwhelming when making sure that the solutions you’re choosing are the right ones for your business now, and in the future.
With this in mind, our tech experts have put together a handy guide of widely used and relevant business communication terms, and the meaning behind them, to help make the process of choosing the best solutions for your business, that little bit easier!
SIP trunks
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunks are a contemporary alternative to traditional phone lines. Many businesses connect to either a PBX (Private Branch Exchange) or the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network, to allocate phone lines and numbers. SIP trunking does the same thing, but it’s more affordable and efficient, by routing voice calls over the internet.
VoIP
Much like SIP trunking, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is used to send voice messages over the internet. One large difference between the two however, is that VoIP can send only voice messages, whereas SIP can carry all forms of media, including voice. This makes VoIP an ideal solution for smaller businesses, with minimal locations.
Hosted and Cloud based systems
Simply put, hosted and cloud based phone systems are communications solutions, housed on the internet. Rather than maintaining phone system software, on a server in your office, you can purchase a hosted or cloud system for your business, that’s hosted by a provider in a secure data centre. With no need for additional hardware, and the ability to work from any device, hosted and cloud based systems are ideal for flexible and remote working. Additionally, with a ‘plug and play’ handset, all you need is a WiFi connection, and you can simply plug in and work from anywhere!
Video Conferencing
Ideal for flexible and remote workers, video conferencing is a communications solution that allows people in different locations to hold face-to-face meetings with one another, via a range of different devices, including laptops and desktops, mobile phones and video phones, such as the industry leading NT Multimedia phone. With common features, such as the ability to share screens, record meetings, note taking and instant messaging, video conferencing is rapidly gaining popularity and becoming a predominant communications tools for all kinds of businesses.
CTI
CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) links your business phone system with your office computer and CRM systems. Easy to set up and use, CTI provides businesses a whole host of benefits, including being able to see when your colleagues are on a call or free to talk, never having to manually type a phone number again, and instant access to call history to ensure you don’t miss any potential sales!
Mobile Integration
Mobile integration allows you to connect your desk phone with your mobile phone, thus transforming your mobile into an extension of your office phone and giving you all of the same features, on the go! In the form of an app, this handy solution maximises productivity and profitability, with more opportunities to connect with colleagues and customers, from wherever you may be.
Disaster Recovery
Unforeseen events, such as power cuts, fires and flooding, all happen, and can have very real, detrimental effects on your business. Implementing a disaster recovery plan, for when such events may occur, is vital to ensure the continued success of your business. Disaster recovery solutions, such as data and cloud backup, will make sure your servers, email exchange, virtual platforms and various devices, including mobiles and laptops, are protected and restored quickly, making them accessible again within hours, or even minutes.
Call Recording
Choosing a phone system with call recording means you can automatically capture every phone conversation that takes place within your business and replay them at the touch of a button. Call recording can be used to review conversations and allow you to double check information for the purpose of customer requests, staff training, disputes and much more!
Call Management
Using a business phone system with call management capabilities enables you to manage your teams far more effectively, whilst also ensuring missed calls don’t turn into missed sales. Call Management software gives you an extensive view of every internal and external call on your system. With the option to view historical reports or real time activity, focus on specific departments or even individual employees, call management will ensure you’re capturing every opportunity to connect with customers.
Fibre Broadband
Commonly referred to as ‘SuperFast Broadband’, Fibre Broadband is the go-to choice for businesses who need a fast, high performing and reliable internet connection. With download speeds of up to 80Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20Mbps, Fibre Broadband is five times faster than standard ADSL Broadband. Plus, the resilience of Fibre Broadband provides an ideal platform for hosted and cloud based services, which in today’s climate, are the best options to ensure your business needs are being met.
Want to find out how our telephony solutions can help you increase your productivity and reduce your costs, or just some friendly, impartial advice on the best tools to make comms a breeze? Contact us today via our live chat, 0333 3603 723, or email enquiries.uk@enreach.com.