Defeating hosted PBX implementation roadblocks

 In Technology, Telecoms

Making the switch to VoIP and utilising a Hosted PBX solution offers a business a great deal more flexibility than a traditional telephony system with legacy equipment. It can also help to significantly cut costs and will allow much more freedom when it comes to choosing how you run your business communication.

However, adopting a new technology is rarely all smooth sailing and Hosted PBX is no exception. The majority of these implementation roadblocks can be defeated through communication with your VoIP service provider and taking the time to develop a basic understanding of how the technology functions, but some require a little more work.

Getting to grips with VoIP jargon will also help a lot, so we recommend you take a look through our last blog post.

These are the three most common problems and actionable advice on how to move past them.

Understanding VoIP

1. Outdated Hardware

If your network hardware is more than five years old, it’s highly likely that you may have some compatibility problems. Routers and switches are usually the culprits when it comes to hardware compatibility issues, but it’s also possible that older legacy phones are to blame. Even up-to- date phones from a different Hosted PBX provider can present issues. In rarer cases, it’s old data cabling that’s preventing your new system from functioning as expected.

There’s a simple fix for this problem, you simply have to bite the bullet and update your equipment. Initial costs will be outweighed by the savings and increased productivity that working with VoIP can provide and your staff will probably thank you for the new kit!

Before making any purchases, be sure to speak to your service provider and get a clear idea of exactly what you’ll need to get your VoIP system working smoothly.

2. Slow Internet

With a VoIP system, all your call data is being transferred online, so it’s essential that your internet is up to scratch if you’re going to receive the high call quality that’s become the norm with VoIP over the past couple of years.

Even if you’ve never had issues with your internet connection before, the strain placed on it by a VoIP system in addition to your usual usage could slow things down and cause interruptions. If you’re experiencing service outages or “crackling” during calls, you may have a problem with your connection.

The first step is to conduct an internet speed test and check your bandwidth. The key to your call quality is your upload speed. If that’s particularly low, it would account for the drops.

Wired internet will always be faster and more reliable than wireless, so if you’re on wireless you should consider plugging in directly. Updating your router, as we mentioned above, can also improve the situation.

If your router and wires seem fine, you should contact your internet service provider and discuss upgrading your broadband.

3. Security Fears

Securing your network is important for any business, especially when you’re transferring sensitive data. With your telecoms being moved onto the same network as your broadband, you may have some understandable fears about the security of your calls.

In actuality, using a Hosted PBX can provide security benefits you may not have considered.

By appointing just one or two select administrators with access to the full range of functions, you can ensure that the system cannot be accessed by all members of staff and you’ll reduce the possibility of unauthorised changes. You can usually also cut off access to individual extensions, so if an ex-employee still has a softphone connected to your VoIP network, you can stop them using the service.

Like all internet-connected systems, VoIP is still open to the possibility of cybercrime, but we’re finding new ways to combat this all the time. By adding VoIP-specific firewalls and a Cloud Encryption Gateway, you can prevent most attacks and rest assured that your data is safe.

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