Types of VoIP Phones

Once your company has decided to make the switch to VoIP phone technology, you’ll also need to start considering what kinds of phone models you’ll want to set up in your company. Obviously, there are tons of customization options available to you with a number of features that can really be very helpful to your business.

You’ll also have some other options to consider, such as perhaps a large speakerphone unit which might be dedicated to handling conference calls, or perhaps a highly mobile Bluetooth-connected earpieces which are built for convenience.

Like many other business decisions, the kind of VoIP phones you have installed at your workplace may depend at least in part on budgetary considerations. For instance, small businesses with perhaps five employees would not need top-of-the-line VoIP hardware, whereas a large corporation with outlets in several different countries, would definitely benefit from having feature-rich phones installed.

One thing to keep in mind about purchasing your VoIP phones is that not every desk or employee needs to have a phone installed at their specific location. This fact permits you to choose from several different types of hardware. In the same way that you wouldn’t need multiple VoIP phones for a single person, you also wouldn’t need one large unit to be shared by an entire team.

Other considerations which may affect your choice of VoIP phones include departmental needs, business logistics, and user requirements. It’s easy to see how your marketing department might need VoIP-compatible mobile handsets, whereas other departments might be satisfied with a speakerphone unit, designated for use in conference calls.

Cordless Phones

Cordless phones combine the functionality of a traditional desk phone which has been combined with the mobility provided by smaller devices. These units cost less than wired phones, even though a base is needed which they can be paired with. When you supply the base unit for your cordless phone, it can be connected to multiple devices, depending on the specific kind of hardware you’ve chosen.

You can purchase more expensive units that are capable of handling more devices, and which also offer a better range. Some companies don’t bother with cordless phones, simply because they can make use of some of the most popular smartphones, which employees tend to prefer anyway.

Desk Phones

VoIP desk phones look very similar to their analog cousins, and they function in much the same way as well. Most VoIP desk phones include some kind of an LCD screen which displays information, some programmable function buttons which are already configured, and speakers with microphones to contribute to audio clarity.

Pricing for VoIP desk phones start at around $50 for the budget-conscious executive, and they can go all the way up to hundreds of dollars per unit for a more feature-rich model. The more expensive phone models include larger screens, clearer speakers, and a great many more functions which are useful in the business place.

VoIP Adapters

If you’re in a situation where you want to start using VoIP immediately to cut costs, but you don’t have the budget to upgrade all your phones at same time, you have another option available to you. VoIP adapters will allow you to make use of your existing analog phones, but while using the newer technology.

These adapters are equipped with ports for traditional phone lines in addition to connections for Ethernet. That means they can route calls for mobile devices and land lines with no manual intervention to VoIP service providers, and vice versa. It should be recognized that this is only a stopgap solution, and that a full conversion to VoIP technology is by far the best way to go.

Mobile Devices and Computers

Your employees will be able to make business calls which make use of your VoIP technology right from their business smartphone or their personal smartphone, as well as any other mobile device. You might need a headset for desktops or laptops, but smartphones do come equipped with speakers and microphones for audio calls.

If you do require audio headsets, they can be either wired or wireless, and the wireless versions generally use Bluetooth for making calls and for answering them. Most VoIP service providers will offer dedicated apps which are available on several different mobile operating systems.

Other providers offer service so that users can install an app of their choosing, to make use of the phone system. In most cases, all that has to be done is to enter the correct account credentials in order to send and receive calls.

Accessories for VoIP

To increase office productivity and enhance your office workflows, there are a number of really useful accessories you can acquire for your VoIP system. Configuring additional programmable function buttons is one way to achieve greater functionality and faster task accomplishment.

Some of the models which you can purchase may also serve as intercom systems, or they can provide service in a confined area, such as a kiosk or the lobby of a hotel. You may also be interested in purchasing such accessories as extra cords, power adapters, or even a foot stand which will change the angle of your phone.

Like any other product you might be interested in purchasing, you get what you pay for with VoIP models. The more you pay for your VoIP phone set, the higher-quality it will be, but if all you really need is a lower-end model, you can definitely find one that will suit your needs perfectly.