If there are two things inextricably intertwined in the world of business, it’s the ability to communicate and to recover from an unexpected disaster. Companies of all sizes have adopted VoIP technology in recent years thanks to the operational benefits it offers, such as practically limitless scalability and reduced overheads.
It also offers the benefit of being another IT application and, because of that, it can be moved around, expanded and safely backed up just like any other application and its associated data.
VoIP Redundancy and Hosted Services
Like any system that your business relies on for its day-to-day operation, your VoIP data and infrastructure needs to be backed up so that you have something to fall back on if your front-line infrastructure fails for any reason. That’s why most companies favor a hosted solution whereby the vendor provides and maintains the necessary infrastructure.
By contrast, in-house VoIP services rely purely on on-site hardware and software, thus leaving the whole system more susceptible to complete failure if a disaster renders your workplace unusable.
In-house VoIP systems can also offer redundancy, but this does require investing in a great deal of additional hardware, as well as the man hours and expertise required to maintain it. For example, in addition to your on-premises VoIP server, you may have a redundant server hosted in another geographical location. This option can be suitable for larger businesses serving multiple locations around the country, but it’s unlikely to be feasible for smaller entities.
Instead, a hosted system will likely offer far better redundancy as well as a full-fledged disaster recovery plan.
Remote Access from Anywhere
Remote access is one of the main reasons many companies migrate to VoIP in the first place.
Hosted systems and, in some cases, on-premises systems, offer a high degree of remote access, allowing employees to use the system no matter where they are. After all, VoIP transforms the traditional enterprise telephony system into just another app you can run on any compatible device connected to the internet.
Hosted systems, however, take this even further, by offering complete web-based functionality and minimal reliance on on-site and end-user resources.
For disasters that render your regular workplace unusable, there’s a good chance it won’t be practical to quickly relocate core system components to an alternative site. If the system stays up and running through an emergency, employees might still be able to access it over the internet, but they’ll likely need to reconfigure their settings.
Fortunately, a hosted system isn’t the slightest bit dependent on your on-premises resources. Sure, a disaster might mean employees won’t have access to their regular handsets and deskphones, but that shouldn’t matter when they can access your VoIP system using any other internet-connected device.
Final Words
Many everyday business operations rely on voice communications, in which case migrating to a hosted VoIP system just makes sense on every level. However, you will need to have a strategy in place that ensures a timely recovery of any system should the worst happen.
With a premises-based VoIP system, this may be taken care of by maintaining redundant servers in different locations and storing copies of your databases online. And with a hosted VoIP system, you shouldn’t have to worry about any of this, since disaster recovery should be the vendor’s responsibility.
At Spectrumwise, we understand that every business needs a reliable and cutting-edge communications solution. That’s why we offer hosted VoIP solutions that are affordable, easy to use, flexible and mobile. Call us today if you’re ready to take your business telephony into the modern age of innovation and limitless scalability.
