Could your dedicated server actually help you to save money? The immense power and adaptability of InMotion Hosting’s Dedicated Server solutions mean they can provide unparalleled control, performance, and security for your website. But, there are so many other things these systems can do that few of us have ever really stopped to consider. One idea could actually help you save money on your phone bills every month!
Voice over IP (VoIP) and private branch exchange (PBX) are not new technologies. A number of companies offer stand-alone services designed to compete with the big phone companies in the “landline” space by providing VoIP/PBX at a fraction of the cost of traditional phone systems. But, if you have a dedicated server, or have been considering getting one, why not take this idea a step further by setting up your own private phone system? In fact, your VoIP could come complete with automated attendants and other features usually reserved only for the priciest of phone plans, and you can run it yourself for free!
First, a word of advice: creating a VoIP/PBX on your dedicated server is not for the faint of heart. You will need to know how to set up and monitor such a system. There are a lot of forums, blog posts, and educational web pages on the Internet with details about how to get up and running, but it will still take a little time to learn all of the ins-and-outs of this technology. Nevertheless, if you are the adventurous sort (or already know what you are doing), switching to a VoIP/PBX running on your dedicated server could be an outstanding idea.
No Phone Bills
Imagine never having to pay again for a phone system that rivals the capabilities of huge enterprise-level companies. Obviously, if you use a traditional phone system that uses a public switched telephone network (PSTN), you have to pay a hefty monthly fee or lose your service. Unsurprisingly, phone systems that use analog lines are becoming rarer in this time and age.
While often less expensive, VoIP phone companies still typically have monthly fees and sometimes tack-on charges for unique phones and other equipment you need to use their service. To make things worse, you usually have to pay overhead costs such as multiple lines or extension number limits. You may also have to pay a premium for desirable add-on features, like video conferencing.
With a private VoIP, all of these charges can become a thing of the past. You become your own private phone company, in a sense. As a result, the only charge you will have to pay is your dedicated server fee. If you already have to pay for hosting your website and email, why not have that same dedicated server hosting your phone, reducing your overall monthly operating costs? For larger companies, this could literally amount to thousands per month saved over traditional phone systems.
Advanced Features
VoIP systems are very popular, not only because of their low cost but also because of the incredible functionality they provide. They allow the use of software systems through dedicated servers that include the features of virtual phones, conference calls, and video conferencing. They eliminate internal hardware and the need for private branch exchange systems (PBX), and a lot of costs associated with wiring.
For example, you can easily create automated attendants that answer and route your calls to the appropriate extension without the need for a human receptionist. You can also receive calls on multiple devices, including a laptop, tablet, or mobile phone, and check messages remotely from any of them (great for people who travel). Do business in more than one location? Use a virtual phone number to give you a local area code for anywhere you need it. Hate getting sticky notes with illegibly scribbled phone messages on them? Just use message forwarding to share messages to other voicemail boxes on your system. Other capabilities include things like sending and receiving faxes without a fax machine, conference calling, video calling, and even improved audio quality over traditional phone systems.
Creative Integrations
With a VoIP system living on a dedicated server, particularly one hosting your website, whole new avenues of communication with site visitors become possible. You could easily integrate features allowing your customers to initiate a voice call with your staff directly from the website, provide a way for a client to call or text directly to your mobile phone without giving out your personal number, or even create emails that let customers click a link to start a call from their computer right to your sales team.
You could also set up an unbeatable intranet site to foster unparalleled levels of cooperation through calendar and document sharing, a clickable phonebook system that automatically connects to the person selected, or even conduct online team meetings with video and voice conferencing. The possibilities are bound only by your own creativity.
These systems – Customer Relation Management – provide the optimal way for you to make use of your communications and help to grow your business.
Disadvantages?
There are several issues that might be of concern when setting up a VoIP system on your server. In some cases, when internet outages or latencies occur due to security, networking, or power issues, the reliability and use of VoIP may come into question. Additionally, support for emergency calls may be limited depending on the region where you’re working.
However, these issues can often be mitigated by properly planning and meeting the needs of the VoIP system you wish to create. The advantages of using VoIP will often outweigh the issues you may face.
Getting Started
To get started with your own private VoIP system, you will first need to have a Dedicated Server. InMotion Hosting not only offers a range of powerful Dedicated Servers at exceptional everyday prices, but also stands as your trusted Bare Metal server provider. Visit our Dedicated Servers page for more information.
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