However, along with benefits, a remote work staff brings with it a number of challenges, including the fast adoption of technologies and tools necessary for staff to work at full potential.

Companies that previously managed and collaborated from a central location now must contend with providing staff with an environment that allows them seamless access to proper facilities that allow smooth communication among workers, clients, and management.

But the payoff for providing remote workers with the proper equipment is huge —, according to a recent survey, 75% of employees felt that they not only maintained but improved, their productivity in their first few months of remote work.

More than half of employees felt that collaborative work was maintained or improved and even managers saw a definite positive impact from the switch.

Since communication is key when you have off-site employees, a good telecommunications system is critical. One of the best and most cost-effective choices for the savvy business looking to empower remote workers is Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

VoIP — The Right Choice for Office Telecommunications

Even before the pandemic, 70% of workers were working from home at least one day every week and more than 50% were going remote for half the week — or more.

This kind of scheduling flexibility is a boon to workers, helping to create a happier — and more productive — workforce. However, to reap the advantages, companies must put communications systems in place to ensure reliable collaboration and connection.

That is the power behind VoIP. A VoIP platform is more than just phone calls. It offers full-service communications from video calls to teleconferencing for real-time connection and seamless coordination.

1. Reliable Communications for Off-Site Staff

VoIP systems are cloud-based, reducing the problem of outages caused by hardware failure. In addition, VoIP calls can typically be rerouted in the event of problems. This keeps remote work staff closely connected — and customers — for high productivity and an optimal level of service.

Also, VoIP offers many features that are often considered “extras” in the traditional telecommunications world. These include:

● Call screening using guest IDs

● Call transfer

● Call forwarding

● Voice-to-text

● Voice-to-email

● Call routing

Furthermore, employees can keep their dedicated desktop phone numbers currently in use. A VoIP system will simply import the numbers and current contacts and clients can continue to use the original numbers.

2. Better Security for Critical Data

Because VoIP communications take place in a cloud environment, they can be secured more easily and more robustly than other options allowing companies to stay compliant with data privacy regulations.

Video conferencing done using VoIP technology offers security features such as encryption to lock down data and ensure privacy.

Security measures offered by VoIP can include protections against voicemail hacking, eavesdropping, and toll fraud. Here are some ways the right VoIP provider can help you protect your communications:

● Companies can restrict certain calls from their network based on time of day, device, user, or other criteria

● Voice network access can be controlled using a certificate or username and password combination

● Voice services can be locked physically or logically

● Firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can be deployed

● All operating systems are updated automatically

● Encryption by device, segment, or user

● Encrypted media through protocols like SRTP

● Encrypted signaling by Session Initiation Protocol over Transport Layer Security

There are other things companies using VoIP can do to further protect data moving over VoIP networks such as reporting anomalies, deleting sensitive voicemail, using strong passwords, and educating employees on VoIP security best practices.

Blue Technologies Can Bring Powerful VoIP Capabilities to Your Business

At Blue Technologies, we work with communication on all levels — from the printed word to next-generation video conferencing and telecommunications. Our team is adept at providing cutting-edge communications technologies to a variety of businesses with processes and focuses that span industries.

Here are just a few of the ways we can transform the way your staff collaborates and communicates — both internally and with clients using VoIP:

● Remote work solutions

● Telehealth and telemedicine solutions with essential compliance features

● Virtual schooling and telelearning

● Telecourt video conferencing

No matter what is driving your need to communicate on a more efficient and cost-effective level, our variety of VoIP services can provide your staff, clients, and customers with the clearest, most secure communications options.

Get business done faster, better, and more clearly with a communication service you can count on. Contact a Blue Technologies consultant today and learn how VoIP can support your remote work or in-house staff.