Before the recent pandemic a few years ago, most employees worked in their chosen physical location—be it their designated office or even on-site. Remote work setups did exist then, but very few used them, as most people worked from traditional office setups during office work hours.
However, after the pandemic, many chose remote work, and in the present day, most companies are aware of the benefits of providing VoIP Office facilities to remote workers. VoIP service providers use cloud computing to ensure continued operation even during natural calamities.
In today’s challenging economic climate, shifting from traditional landline phone calls to VoIP service providers has helped remote workers take advantage of VoIP phone features.
VoIP! How Does It Work?
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows its users to make calls through the Internet rather than making use of the usual traditional landline. A few VoIP providers only allow the calls of users within the same service provider, and few other providers permit calls to anyone’s phone number of different service providers, regardless of their location.
A few VoIP phone systems allow calls from a computer or a particular VoIP phone. In contrast, other providers enable users to use a regular telephone with a VoIP adapter or even an app.
When a VoIP call is initiated, the VoIP adapter or the business phone number app converts the audio analogue signal to a digital signal, which is then transmitted to the business service provider over the Internet and eventually reaches the receivers’ phones.
This process happens swiftly, which is why VoIP phones have better sound quality than traditional phone calls. However, VoIP phones must have a stable broadband internet connection to work at their full capacity. With the internet, these services will work.
VoIP For Remote Workers
Using VoIP is an excellent way for remote workers to stay connected constantly. It helps them use their official phones as Internet Protocol Telephony (IP phones), as long as they have Internet access. It helps them receive and make phone and even conference calls.
VoIP systems are an excellent option for remote workers as they promote professionalism in an organization’s work attitude. This facility helps customers or clients be seen and available wherever they are, provided they have an internet connection.
In addition, employers can easily reach their employees through VoIP facilities at any time of the day or night, at any location.
Remote Working in Present Day
Even though employees are still working in a physical setup, nowadays, many companies are shifting to remote working; the state of remote work today is,
- In the US alone, more than 25% of the workforce works from home, whereas more than 30% opt for a hybrid work model.
- According to a recent survey, by the year-end of 2025, almost 33 million Americans will start working from home, that is more than 20% of the workforce.
- More than 95% of employees prefer working remotely, at least part of the time.
- Around 15% of the companies operate in full remote mode.
- Around 60% of workers prefer choosing an employer that allows them to work remotely without going to a physical office.
It is a clear indication that remote working is not going anywhere. Since VoIP provides better productivity and better work/life balance, it is becoming the most preferred option for a remote work setup. Also, employers have confirmed that remote workers are more present, have good morale, and take fewer sick leaves than in-office workers.
Selecting VoIP Provider
The main factor to consider when selecting VoIP services is the budget. Finding VoIP providers that easily fit into the stipulated budget is always advisable. After that, explore the plans offered to find the best strategy. A few points to consider,
It is always right to calculate the communication needs and then cross-check whether the VoIP provider’s offerings match the relevant requirements.
- The prospective customer should consider the VoIP provider’s service history and reputation in the market.
- Always check for options – unlimited calling and texting or even whether there is an additional fee for the same.
- Check whether remote team features like internal chats or message boards are offered.
- Cross-check the number of features received for the given price.
- Check upgrade availability and scaling options.
VoIP Providers For Remote Workers
1) VoIP Office
Key features include,
- Unlimited Calls to the US & Canada
- Find Me Follow Me
- CRM Integration
- Auto Attendant
- Business SMS & Texting
- Free Trial Offered
- 24/7 Customer Service
2) Google Voice
Key features include,
- Domestic calls and text messages only
- Call forwarding and number masking.
- Users should purchase credits for international calls.
- Integration with Google Workspace and various other Google tools
3) Cloud Talk
Key features include,
- AI and automated call routing
- Android and iOS apps
- Intelligent auto-attendant
- Monitoring and analytics
4) Grasshopper
Key features include,
- Free trial offered
- Cloud-based VoIP services
- 24/7 US-based customer service
- Android and iOS apps available
- Automation and AI
5) Dialpad
Key features include,
- Free trial for 14 days (about two weeks)
- AI voice intelligence
- Integration and syncing are available.