8 Things You Should Know About SIP Telephone Systems

 

SIP telephone systems are increasing in popularity and usage, as organisations of all sizes are realising the money-saving potential they hold. If your still unsure about the technology and how it matches up to your traditional phone system, check out our list of eight things you should know about SIP telephone systems…

1. SIP connects calls via the internet

A SIP telephone system differs from a traditional telephone system because it allows calls to be made and received over the internet, as opposed to the conventional copper telephone lines. So, if you want to use a SIP telephone system in your organisation, then you need to have a reliable, business grade internet connection.

2. SIP handsets are optional

With SIP telephone systems, traditional handsets are not strictly necessary. If you choose, you can make and receive all of your calls directly through your computer, either using just the speaker or plugging in a headset. You can, however, use handsets if you prefer.

3. Conventional phones can be converted to make SIP calls

If you do want to use handsets to make and receive calls with your SIP phone system, you don’t have to purchase special SIP phones, although this is, of course, an option. It is possible to convert traditional phones to enable SIP calls and this can be done by purchasing an analogue telephone adaptor (ATA).

4. Calls are much cheaper with SIP

By migrating to SIP, you can lower the cost of your calls. Calls are cheaper with SIP telephone systems because your internet connection is being used, instead of the costlier traditional lines that charge per minute for calls. In addition, the internet renders distance largely irrelevant, which means that even long-distance calls cost much less. This is great news for businesses that operate globally.

5. SIP telephone systems can be either be hosted or in-house

With SIP telephone systems, you have the choice of either a hosted or in-house system. In terms of cost, in-house systems tend to work out better for larger companies and hosted systems tend to be better suited to small and medium enterprises. This is due to the fact that hosted systems are charged per user, so become uneconomical beyond a certain number of users.

6. You can keep your existing number when you switch to SIP

Number portability is enabled with SIP. Keeping your existing numbers is easy. When you switch to SIP telephony, your numbers will be transferred to your provider. All of your incoming calls will be directed to the provider and they send them to you via your internet connection.

7. SIP telephone systems offer all of the usual features of a standard phone system

You can still get all of the same features with a SIP phone system that would be able to have on a traditional phone system. Often, you will also find that many of the more advanced features are available as standard, enabling you to enjoy more with SIP than you might otherwise be able to get within your budget.

8. SIP telephone systems can be accessed from multiple locations

SIP telephone systems are great for companies that operate across multiple physical locations. This is true whether you have offices in separate locations, home workers or field staff. Users can connect to your SIP phone system and make and receive calls from wherever they are located as long as they have access to the internet, of course.

 

Want to find out more? Contact Midland Networks on 0800 849 8585. We supply SIP telephone systems in Wolverhampton, Worcester and the surrounding areas.