Switching to a VoIP Network Doesn’t Have to be Difficult

When you are thinking about switching to a VoIP network, otherwise known as voice over internet protocol, you may be reluctant to the change. Oftentimes, companies view switching providers as troublesome and just plain annoying. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, it isn’t that difficult. With a team of dedicated professionals, like Matthijssen, by your side throughout the entire integration process, you’ll feel comfortable and confident in your new VoIP network setup. Keep these initial steps in mind before switching networks, and the onboarding process will be a breeze.

Check How Many Users Will Be On Your Network

The biggest issue when switching to a VoIP network is bandwidth. What VoIP does is convert analog audio into digital data and thus enables you to make calls without the communications service provider. Know how many users will be making calls with the VoIP, this is a key aspect of your network. When you are aware of how many users there will be, you can ensure that you have adequate bandwidth with your internet service provider for the upload and download processes, and that no loss happens on the WAN network. Check your connection for latency and be sure that signal for cable modem connections are good to go.

Know What Kind of Calls You Will Be Making

When switching to a VoIP network, you will need to know what kind of calls you are making. Will you be placing international calls often? Although this is one of the main reasons people use VoIP networks, they often overlook connectivity and wire qualities. Furthermore, you should know what devices on which the users on your network will be making calls. It is possible to purchase special VoIP phones for the desks of employees or other users. Making calls directly from your computer or smart phone is also another popular option. Knowing what methods you will be using when you go live will prevent problems and help you have a successful setup.

Choose Your Power over Ethernet Cables

One of the best ways to make sure that you are getting enough power to your VoIP phones is by using Power over Ethernet (PoE) cables. These cables allow devices that aren’t plugged into AC sources take juice from the internet. If your Ethernet won’t allow PoE, you can find an injector for it, a power source that can be used in tandem with non-PoE switches.

Use a VLAN

Using a Virtual Local Area Network, or VLAN, enables the better distribution of traffic in your network to see to it that video and audio calls won’t get dropped when users are downloading large files on their computers. By dedicating VLAN to call traffic, you can isolate and manage VoIP traffic without worrying about tertiary uses.

Check Your Router

It is necessary to determine if your router has Packets Per Second (PPS) capabilities. Providing traffic policing and shaping, you will be able to prioritize calls when switching to a VoIP network. If you multiply the number of users before switching to a VoIP network by about five, you will get a good idea of what amount of traffic your router will be able to handle.

With Matthijssen Business Systems, VoIP is made easy. Not only will we integrate our high-end technology into your office setting, we’ll also stand by your team’s side throughout the entire onboarding process. For any questions, concerns, or malfunctions that arise, our team will remain on call as a dedicated support system. Reach out to our professionals today to receive a free consultation.