The use of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) in business, and particularly in the sales industry, is now relatively commonplace. Yet many smaller businesses still aren’t aware of the advantages of using these VoIP technologies over traditional telecommunications. This is perhaps because while they are aware that the technology exists, they do not realize the extent to which it has developed, becoming more advanced and, most importantly, more reliable over the last decade of its existence. Here you can get ideas about VoIP technologies, video conferencing and global VoIP services.
What is VoIP?
Essentially, VoIP is a method of converting voice signals into digital signals for transmission across high-speed internet network connections. In practice, this means that you can make phone calls from your computer, and also from your regular phone or cellphone, but with many extra advantages, not least in terms of financial savings.
The forerunner to today’s VoIP technologies was magic Jack, first introduced by Donald Burns’ company, YMax, in 2007. This handy device plugged into a USB port or router and allowed unlimited phone calls to the US or Canada from anywhere in the world. Conventional landline phones could be plugged into the system to take advantage of high-speed internet connections and without incurring high international call charges.
Today, many different technologies exist under the VoIP technologies, including, banner, IP-PBX, cloud hosting, and so on. The voice and data functions can be merged to give businesses greater unity of service. The simplifying and streamlining their telecommunications for maximum efficiency. It also means that even the smallest start-up can have a potentially global customer base.
The state of the market
The full global VoIP services market was valued at $85.9billion in 2015, and is estimated to reach $94.1billion at the end of 2016. Market growth is being driven with the technological advances and increasing demand. Especially from the business. Presently, VoIP providers are looking to Asia Pacific for rapid expansion. As the region’s infrastructure is modernized and high-speed communications technology such as 4G becomes available to more users.
Advantages for the sales industry
Sales are all about communication, and the bottom line is that VoIP provides a high-quality, reliable phone system no matter where in the world you need to call. You are not reliant on the quality of local telecommunications networks on different continents but can reach anywhere that has a workable internet connection.
VoIP applications have also revolutionized internet sales. Web-based shopping continues to grow as a market segment, certainly outpacing growth in the brick-and-mortar retail sector. As this becomes a more important part of selling, so it becomes more competitive. The option of live chat with a customer sales representative while browsing online has gone from being an extra add-on to an essential feature. Only VoIP technology can facilitate this feature, meaning that sales representatives can chat to customers while both are looking at the same features on their computer and VoIP technologies. Market potential is the total expected sales fromVoIP technologies of a service for the entire industry in a particular market over the initial period of time.
Calling direct
VoIP has also impacted on traditional telephone sales. While for years experts have said that cold calling is on the way out, the fact is that call centers continue to proliferate, and direct sales is still a very profitable part of the industry. These high profits are possible with VoIP technology, which integrates computer databases and telephone communications for maximum efficiency.
In a busy sales office, the expense of having multiple phone lines for different salespeople can easily mount up. Using VoIP not only saves money but also simplifies the system and opens up a whole world of new options, as well as allowing multitasking with existing features such as email and shared spreadsheets online.
Video conferencing
Video conferencing perhaps one of the most important features of VoIP technologys. This is the way it allows your sales team to engage in virtual conferencing. Sharing and editing documents at the same time despite attendees being at several different remote locations. The advantages in terms of productivity can be tremendous. And there is a real human connection with video conferencing. That video conferencing can work wonders in comparison to the relatively cold tone of an email.
The future of VoIP
The future is mobile, and VoIP technology will continue to adapt to this new paradigm. VoIP technology is part of most social messaging apps. As these become increasingly popular ways for people to communicate while on the move. So the sales industry will find new ways to take advantage of this fact. More mobile-based business communication tools and apps are also sure to follow.
As bandwidths increase and technology progresses. The global VoIP services andVoIP systems will need to be flexible and scalable to meet the growing needs of businesses. The sales industry is likely to become ever more reliant on VoIP for conferencing and direct selling . Online marketing to the extent and taken for granted. And no business would think of trying to operate without it.
24-hour live service
Not only does this mean selling and marketing to customers on their cellphones or tablets, it also means taking your sales team out of the office and on the move. VoIP technologies will continue to enable greater flexibility in terms of communication, conferencing and online, live chat interaction from non-traditional locations. This flexibility is also the key to offering a 24-hour live service which is increasingly what customers expect.
As bandwidths increase and VoIP technology progresses, VoIP systems will need to be flexible and scalable to meet the growing needs of businesses. The sales industry is likely to become ever more reliant on VoIP for conferencing, direct selling and online marketing of the extent that it will be taken for granted and no business would think of trying to operate without it.
Image: Wooden Blocks with the text: VOIP
