Hosted VoIP - A Smart Choice
Considering switching to VoIP telephony? Discover why hosted VoIP is a smart choice for SME businesses and what you need to know.
The traditional telephone exchange in the utility cupboard is disappearing. More and more SME businesses are switching to hosted VoIP. But what exactly is it, what are the benefits, and is it something for your business?
What is hosted VoIP?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. In plain English: making calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines.
With hosted VoIP, the telephone exchange doesn’t run on your own premises, but in the cloud at a provider. You only need handsets (or apps) that connect to that exchange via the internet.
| Aspect | Traditional |
|---|---|
| Exchange | Own exchange in utility cupboard |
| Connection | Rent phone lines |
| Investment | Large one-time investment |
| Maintenance | Own responsibility |
| Functionality | Limited |
Why do businesses switch?
30-50%
savings
on telephony costs
<1 year
payback time
for new handsets
99.9%
uptime
with good providers
1. Cost savings
Most businesses save 30-50% on telephony after switching.
2. Flexibility
With hosted VoIP, you’re no longer tied to your office.
This fits perfectly with the modern way of working that more and more businesses are embracing.
3. Professional features
Features that used to be affordable only for large companies:
4. Reliability
99.9%
uptime
guarantee standard
0
single point of failure
in your own building
24/7
monitoring
by specialists
Frequently asked questions
”Do I need good internet?”
”Can I keep my phone numbers?”
In almost all cases, yes. This is called number porting - your numbers are transferred to the new provider. The technology behind this is well regulated in the Netherlands.
”Does it work during a power outage?"
| Situation | Solution |
|---|---|
| Exchange in cloud keeps working | No action needed |
| Handsets at office without power | UPS for switch and handsets |
| Alternative | Mobile apps keep working (4G/5G) |
| Backup | Automatic forwarding to mobile |
"What kind of handsets do I need?”
| Type | Advantage |
|---|---|
| IP phones | Best sound quality |
| Softphone (PC app) | No extra hardware |
| Mobile app | Reachable anywhere |
| Combination | Flexibility |
3CX: popular choice for SMEs
A widely used solution is 3CX. This is a software-based telephone exchange available as a hosted solution.
Alternative: calling via Microsoft Teams
If you already use Microsoft 365, calling via Teams is an interesting alternative. You add telephony to the app you already use for chat and video.
| Aspect | 3CX |
|---|---|
| Telephony features | Extensive (call centre level) |
| Licence costs | Lower |
| Office integration | Via add-on |
| Apps needed | Separate app |
| Ideal for | Complex telephony |
Read more about the options on our business telephony page.
The transition: how does it work?
Inventory
How many users, which features, current numbers, internet check
Design
Choose solution (3CX/Teams), select hardware, create number plan
Implementation
Configure exchange, install handsets, train employees
Number porting
Request from old provider, transfer on planned date
Go-live
Cancel old lines, support for teething troubles
2-4
weeks
typical lead time
1
day
technical implementation
10
working days
number porting
What to look for in a provider?
Conclusion
Hosted VoIP is a smart choice for most SME businesses. You save costs, get more functionality, and are more flexible. The technology is mature and reliable.
Barion Team
IT specialists making complex technology understandable for SME entrepreneurs.
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