Most myths are harmless, just like that of the Loch Ness Monster, or Santa Claus for children (and possibly some adults out there). There are some myths, however, that have a direct negative impact, like those surrounding VoIP and cloud technology.
Cloud phones or VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) is something new we have introduced here at bOnline, and we have been taken aback by some of the comments we’ve received surrounding the product. I’ve never used VoIP before, so I decided to download our product as a trial for a week to see for myself how many of these ‘myths’ stack up.
Myth: Unclear line / poor call quality
Status: Myth Busted
We all know what Skype calls are like, the line crackles and there’s often a sound delay which makes a conversation almost impossible. This is because Skype uses the general internet to make calls, but not all VoIP calls do this. Professional lines use the Internet Protocol network, Gamma (which is the leading IP network in the UK). During the trial when using VoIP to call friends, suppliers and colleagues, the line was crystal clear; I honestly couldn’t notice the difference between this and a landline call.
Myth: Can’t make calls if power is out or internet is down
Status: Myth Busted
Fortunately, the office power and internet didn’t go down once all week (not that it happens often). So while I didn’t get to trial this, after downloading the mobile app I discovered that when you’re grabbing lunch, or pop out of the office for a tea break/meetings, your calls automatically ring on your mobile via the app. So in the event of a power or broadband cut, mobiles can be used instead of the PC. This was actually a great feature to use all time!
Myth: It’s difficult to set up
Status: Myth Busted
Fact: bOnline customers will be up and running within 24 hours. It’s 100% cloud-based, so no installations or waiting for an engineer to connect me was needed. My PC was connected the next day, and I was ready to start calling in minutes. It was so easy, all I needed was a headset and to download an app for my mobile and desktop.
Myth: They aren’t as professional as a traditional landline
Status: Myth Busted
I found this to be the complete opposite. With VoIP and the 40+ calling features, it comes with allowed me to install an initial menu, put customers on hold and transfer to colleagues effortlessly. The additional features offered with VoIP allow you to operate like a large business.
Myth: Data it isn’t secure
Status: Myth Busted
I can understand this myth, with all the cyber attacks happening. So I asked the question to our support team, and it turns out: VoIP is as secure as your internet and PC. If you’ve got anti-virus and anti-malware protection, then your service should be fine. As with all internet based services, you need to be proactive about your safety.
Myth: I’ll lose my number
Status: Myth Busted
You absolutely can keep your number; telecoms providers have a clear process for number porting. So don’t worry about losing the number your customers know!
Myth: It’s complicated to use
Status: Myth Busted
With all the features offered with VoIP, I can see how a newcomer might get overwhelmed. My advice would be to start small. Use what you know, and gradually learn and use the other features when you’re ready. Cloud phones are designed to grow with your business and support your day-to-day.
Final thoughts
It’s important not to believe everything you hear or read; there’s tonnes of fake news out there, as proven with these VoIP and cloud phone myths. It’s a truly great system, especially for small businesses and startups who are looking to grow in the future.
To find out more about bOnline's cloud-based phone system, please visit our website.
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If you have any questions or comments about this post, please fill in the comment box below, or send me an email: shale@bonline.com.
