Non-Internet Based Phones vs. VoIP
Irrespective of the industry that it belongs to, every business requires a phone system for the purpose of communication. There are 2 options that it can choose from: a traditional landline system or a Voice over Internet Protocol system (VoIP). The choice as to which option will be utilized in the business is made after a proper consideration of all the relevant attributes and an effective comparison between the two alternatives.

Below mentioned are certain attributes that could assist in a good comparison between the two phone system alternatives that a business can select from:

Features

• Features of the traditional landline system
  As this phone system has been an age-old one, it is considered by many to be a reliable as well as a stable source for communicating. Unless the phone is a cordless phone, the connectivity of the landline is not lost on account of power shutdown which means the managers can attend to uninterrupted phone calls. By paying a little extra, the business can always make use of special features such as conference calling, call forwarding, voicemails, etc.
• Features of VoIP system
  If the business plans to hold greater control over the communication system of the office, then a VoIP system is the appropriate option to select. It is more advanced as well when it comes to the features provided by it as compared to its competitor. A computer, desk call or even a mobile phone can be used for making calls by using a stable and secure internet connection under this phone system. Apart from this, it offers a huge list of benefits that add up to the plus points of this phone system. This phone system also offers other features such as call analysis, auto attendant, call recording, accessing voicemails through the same mail account, call forwarding, rejecting anonymous calls, etc. The VoIP phone system offers the softphone capability that enables the user to convert any mobile device to a phone be it the laptop or tablet. The VoIP handset can be conveniently integrated with many other tools like customer relationship management tools, software for email marketing and even sales software.

Cost

• Cost of traditional landline system
  For a business, the prime motive is to minimize costs as far as possible. However, when the landline phone system can prove to be quite pricey. It starts right from the time of setting up this phone system and will definitely not be over and done within less than $100. Along with this price, per month fees will be added, along with other related expenses. If the business feels the need for getting special features like call transfer, intercom, etc., a private branch exchange (PBX system) will need to be installed whose management and control will be done on-premise. The cost of the private branch exchange and the fees of the expert can be exorbitant, followed by the cost of many uncertain issues associated with this phone system. Thus, it an expensive affair which is next to impossible for the small-sized business to incorporate in their offices.
• Cost of VoIP phone system
  This phone system has the potential to offer 60% savings for the business, making it easy for the business to meet its prime motive of cost reduction. Here, there are no installation fees charged and the monthly fees of the plan are generally estimated to be close to $20. The business, as per the plan chosen, can get their own Cloud-based private branch exchange system.

Reliability

• Reliability offered by traditional landline system
  This phone system is reliable as every user having a separate connection gets a separate line that leads to consistency in its performance. As technology is advancing, this traditional mode of communication is becoming obsolete therefore in the long run, it is not a reliable mode of communication. And as the telecommunication companies are losing huge chunks of their customers, it is quite possible that in the near future the performance of traditional landlines will no longer be consistent as it is today.
• Reliability offered by VoIP system
  It is a more reliable source of communication that businesses should consider taking into account the long-term perspectives. The future of VoIP is bright because it is constantly evolving, unlike the traditional phone system. Statistics have proved that businesses who have taken a technological leap from circuit switch telephony to this phone system have saved up to 32 minutes each day by every employee as they can reach the person calling in the first instance itself. However, if the call was missed it will be transferred quickly either to the voicemail or will be transmitted to the next peer.

All of the above make VoIP the ideal choice for a phone system for the businesses today.