What Should Hotels Look for in a VoIP Provider
Hotels have more options to choose from when it comes to their business communication systems. In the past hotels were limited to a traditional phone system that required wiring and hardware, this type of traditional/landline technology is limited and only allows the making and receiving of calls.
The internet has become the most important means of communication for hotels and have provided other options of managing hotel phones. Many hotels are now switching to VoIP systems (Voice over Internet Protocol), for their communication needs, which comes with an array of benefits, including faster internet speeds. Choosing the right VoIP provider is essential, as hotels need a phone system that is reliable, secure and that offers features that best fits the Hospitality environment.
VoIP vs Traditional Landlines
The technology offered by VoIP phone systems is what sets it apart from traditional landline phone systems. The technology is limited with traditional landline phones, they offer limited features and require the installation of wiring and hardware. To upgrade landline phones, hotels and other businesses would be required to pay an additional cost to add features.
VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) is a technology that allows you to make phone calls using an internet connection. This allows your PBX to connect with a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) without the use of traditional phone lines. Businesses can use their existing hardware and systems to upgrade their telephone systems and make and receive calls over the internet while using analog phones. Unlike traditional landline, VoIP phone systems come with a selection of Hospitality features that are already built in.
What Should Hotels Look for in a VoIP Provider
The right communication system can improve the guest experience, increase productivity, and allow team members to stay connected regardless of their location. Using a VoIP PBX phone system allows hotels to offer guests the latest technological features and removes the need for on-site maintenance and expensive hardware that are normally associated with traditional PBX. Choosing the right VoIP provider is an important decision, consulting with an experienced Hospitality provider can help hotels to make an informed decision that best fits the needs of their business.
Call Quality
High-quality voice calls are essential for any business, when choosing a VoIP provider, its crucial that providers offer clear, reliable, and high-quality calls. It is also important to choose a provider that has minimal latency and jitter, as these factors significantly impact the quality of your calls.
Cost
Pricing is another important consideration when choosing a VoIP provider, providers should offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees or charges. It is important to understand exactly what you are paying for and what services are included in your package. The right provider will ensure that phone systems are covered under a service agreement that includes upgrades at no additional cost.
Features
The features offered by a VoIP provider can vary significantly, the right provider should offer features that fits the needs of the Hospitality environment. Features such as guest messaging, call forwarding, wake-up calls, audio and video conferencing and call recording allow hotels to handle guests’ requests more efficiently and keep team members connected. Consider which features are most important to your business and look for a provider that can offer those features at a reasonable price.
Reliability
The reliability of a VoIP provider is crucial for those in the Hospitality Industry, as any disruption in service can affect business operations and negatively impact the guest experience. You need a provider that can offer minimal downtime, one that has a proven track record of reliability and that can offer guarantees on uptime and service levels.
Scalability
As your business grows, your communication needs may change. Look for a VoIP provider that can scale with your business and offer flexible pricing plans. This will allow you to add additional lines or features as needed without incurring significant additional costs.
Customer Support
When issues arise with your VoIP service, you want to be able to rely on your provider for quick and efficient support. Look for a provider that offers excellent customer support and that can quickly resolve any issues that may arise, this will help to minimize any disruptions to your business operations.
Integration
Your VoIP system should be able to integrate with your existing business tools and software. VoIP providers should offer easy integration with popular business tools like CRM and email clients. This will allow you to streamline your communication processes and ensure that all your communication tools work seamlessly together.
Security
Your business communication is sensitive information that needs to be protected. The cost of cybercrime includes loss of productivity, theft of personal and financial data, the cost of restoring data systems and damage to your hotel’s reputation. An experienced Hospitality provider will ensure that systems are maintained and updated to offer hotels a PBX system that is reliable and secure.
Hotels have a lot to take into consideration when choosing the right VoIP provider, by considering the factors listed above, you can select a provider that offers the right balance of quality, features, reliability, and security to meet your business needs.