Switching to VoIP (Robert DiCaprio, DPM) From: Raymond F Posa, MBA
VoIP is Voice over Internet Protocol; basically, your voice communications are transmitted over the Internet instead of the traditional phone lines. That service is called POTS which stands for plain old telephone service. In the early days of VoIP there were issues with voice quality, but those days are long gone. The quality of VoIP is top notch and the systems have all the advanced features any practice could want.
One of the biggest differences between VoIP and traditional phone service is price. VoIP tends to be much less expensive. Another huge plus with VoIP is its portability. If you were to move your practice, porting your phone lines to a new location can be a challenge. VoIP binds your phone service and phone numbers to your phone equipment, so you can pick up your equipment and go anyplace that has Internet service, plug them in and your phones are up and running. This can be especially useful in case of a disaster at your current practice location, like a fire or flood and you have to evacuate. With VoIP all you have to do is pick up your equipment and plug it in at a new or temporary location and your phone service is up and running.
In the event of power outages or a loss of Internet at your office, VoIP has a fail over feature that will forward all your calls to your cell phone or any other number that you designate.
As for VoIP companies, basically all the large internet providers offer VoIP service to their clients, Comcast, Verizon, Optimum, Cox, etc. In addition to the Internet providers there are also private companies that provide VoIP service, the company that I have been using for over 15 years is Packet 8 (8x8.com) they offer outstanding service and great pricing.
With the advances in technology in communications, VoIP is the best solution.
Raymond F Posa, MBA, CEO, The Manta Group, Farmingdale, NJ
