Because VoIP gives access to both voice and multimedia, delivered over the internet, it has proved to be a huge boon to business. VoIP providers can offer this service at a much lower cost than traditional telephone calls and this means that long distance and international calls particularly are much cheaper. This helps to draw large global businesses closer together as they can more easily communicate.

Global Scale Communication

Large multinational businesses now have a much greater range of options than just a voice call. Colleagues can communicate via voice and video calls; online chat and instant messaging; and they can also share images and even screen share. In addition, video conference calls have become a much more viable option which has led to less need for expensive international travel.

However, this business globalisation has led to an increased need for staff to be bilingual and thus speaking a second, or even a third language, is in much greater demand when job applicants are being sought. To get up to speed quickly staff are being encouraged to take an online course, attend a language school or even work with a private tutor. Employing a bilingual workforce has become so vital for some companies they are now even offering in-house language lessons.

Learning and Development

Because VoIP increases communication across borders so fundamentally, companies have also found employee engagement rises as staff can connect with distant colleagues more easily. This leads to employees fostering a much closer working environment, even if they are based in different offices.

It has also become much easier to train staff in network offices within the same country or even overseas. Screen sharing through VoIP allows hands on training which can happen even from a different location. In addition if a member of staff runs into technical difficulties the issue can also be resolved through the use of screen sharing.

VoIP makes it much easier for every member of staff to update their contact information and this helps to make them more accessible. Most VoIP services include a graphical user interface where any of the following details can be changed: they can let callers know whether they are online or offline or even where they are; they can whitelist some callers while forwarding others to voicemail; they can add speed dial options for regular contacts; and finally if they need to be away from their desk or are travelling they can add forwarding options. What this means for the business is a workforce which is not only much easier to contact but which can also deal with a higher level of calls more efficiently because they have technology to assist them.

Aids Communication with Clients

VoIP has also improved communication with clients for businesses. A company website can now offer the opportunity for customers to connect directly to the business through various means. Many companies are now utilising click-to-call services and voice call buttons embedded in emails. If a customer is interested in a product or service they can now be in touch with the company at the click of a button.  

The widespread use of this technology can be seen most clearly by Google who have incorporated it within their Adwords campaigns. Their ‘Click to Call’ feature has led to over 40 million calls being made a month via the service and over 40% of searchers take advantage of it.

Just how much VoIP has assisted business is shown by its current value, which is only expected to rise. Telecom Reseller anticipates the VoIP service sector will be worth $82.7 billion globally by 2017. This level of growth is to be expected of a technology which connects the every evolving global landscape of business so successfully.