Hosted VoIP Solutions to Buy with the Best ROI

By Ryan Ayers
Updated: July 18, 2011

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) business telephone solutions abound in today’s market, and finding a system that will fit your business’ basic telephony needs is generally not a monumental task. Finding the best fit for your business’ needs, the solution that will provide the greatest return on your investment (ROI), is a matter of deciding on the most important attributes your business telephone system should have.

Versatility vs. Lower TCO

There is an extraordinarily wide variety of VoIP services available, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. The primary difference in approach for many of these VoIP solutions is centered on their focus on either versatility (the ability they give your business to adapt and change your service as your needs expand and change) or a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) that you will incur in your purchase/service agreement. There are benefits to each of these approaches depending on the short and long term needs of your company. Below are a few examples of leading VoIP providers who focus on one or the other of these two categories.

Versatility

Aptela – Aptela provides its customers with a high degree of versatility in that they allow for integration with many other systems that your business may already use. They also provide applications that cooperate with many existing web browsers and mobile products/carriers so that your business telephone system works where and when you need it to. Aptela also provides ample resources such as white papers, case studies, and support for its customers to ensure that you have the help you need to get things functioning properly.

Fonality – Fonality’s primary focus is on flexibility and versatility with their Unified Communications (UC) solutions. Providing a hosted UC solution to businesses with the understanding that needs and requirements may frequently change has been the hallmark of Fonality’s service. Featuring CRM and contact center integration, Fonality aims to be the complete solution for business communications and data needs and allows for changeability and alterations in features and service plans. Fonality also prides itself on a high quality of service and an extremely reliable degree of network uptime.

Lower TCO

8X8 – Providing a complete hosted UC solution for businesses at a lower overall cost than many other VoIP providers is the main thrust of 8X8’s service plans. Industry-leading compression and routing as well as a full list of Fortune 500-type calling features are a few of the benchmarks of 8X8’s service packages, but providing its customers with these features at a fraction of the price of many of their competitors can be a significant difference to many companies that are shopping for a cost-effective VoIP solution. 8X8’s additional distinction is that they pride themselves on superior U.S. based customer service in addition to their lower prices and technological advantages.

Vocalocity – Fulfilling the small business niche, Vocalocity understands that each business has its own unique needs and pricing requirements. Providing its customers with complete VoIP solutions that are both customizable and feature-rich, Vocalocity maintains a focus on the individual needs of each of its customers and has the ability to structure plans and pricing accordingly. An intensive support program is in place as well, in keeping with Vocalocity’s desire to be a partner to their small business clientele and help them grow and succeed.

Depending on your business’ specific focus, there are hosted VoIP providers whose rates and service plans are designed to meet almost any set of requirements. Vendors provide a wide array of service options that cater to businesses that have a greater need of flexibility and versatility or to those that have an eye on keeping their overall communications expenditures lower. Determining which service option will provide your business with the greatest ROI will depend largely on your individual needs.
 

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