VoIP (voice over internet protocol) has been a game-changing technology for companies of all sizes and industries. Not only can you save a great deal of money by not paying for landline phones, you can also take advantage of VoIP’s improved scalability, ease of installation and integration with your other business systems.
In order to make full use of these benefits, however, it’s important to choose the proper phone solution for your enterprise network. Having a larger network from an established, experienced VoIP vendor will enable you to receive better service with a richer array of features.
Below, we’ll go over some of the top choices for enterprise VoIP and IP telephony providers and the features and advantages of each one, so that you’ll have all the information you need to make the right choice for your organization.
Cisco
Features and Advantages
Cisco offers the “Business Edition 6000” and “Business Edition 7000,” which are IP phone systems and collaboration solutions for medium and large businesses, respectively. The noteworthy features include:
- Able to be used by up to 1,000 people and 100 contact center agents
- Continual worldwide access to calls and messages
- Efficient call routing and dispatching across the organization
- Instant messaging platform
- Paging capabilities and emergency dialing
Leading Enterprise IP Phone Models
- 7800 Series: This midrange series offers an enhanced user experience, with multiple lines for desktops and a backlit display. Communications are encrypted end-to-end so that your data is always secure.
- 8800 Series: These video phones are the top of the fleet for Cisco, and they’re the perfect fit for knowledge and office workers. Remote employees can easily sign on, and you can integrate them with your personal mobile devices.
Avaya
Features and Advantages
Avaya offers the “Avaya Communicator” VoIP client for unified communications, allowing you to bring all of your messaging channels under one roof: voice calls, video and instant messages. By offering support for mobile, remote and video users, Avaya Communicator makes it easier for employees to work more intelligently and efficiently.
Leading Enterprise IP Phone Models
- 1600 Series IP Deskphones: These no-frills models are effective and convenient without blowing a hole in your wallet. They combine features from both traditional landline and VoIP phones.
- B100 Series Conference Phones: For those times when you’re holding a meeting over VoIP, these phones are ideal. They have 360-degree surround sound, and make it easy to get the call started by offering access to the corporate directory.
3CX
Features and Advantages
3CX is a software-based private branch exchange (PBX) that allows employees to use VoIP on-premises or in the cloud. The “pro” and “enterprise” versions of the software come packed with features, including:
- Call center functionality, including queue monitoring and integration with CRM software
- Integration with Microsoft applications, Google Contacts, Zendesk, Salesforce and more
- Web conferencing with up to 250 participants
Leading Enterprise IP Phone Models
3CX consists only of software, and doesn’t manufacture its own phone models. However, the software is compatible with a wide range of other IP phones, including Fanvil, Grandstream, Htek, snom and Yealink.
Shoretel
Features and Advantages
The company’s flagship product is Shoretel Connect, offering VoIP phone service in the cloud. It includes a variety of features for unified communications, integrating voice calls, fax, videos, messages and even native mobile apps. Shoretel Connect also offers many common IP telephony features, such as caller ID, on-hold music, voicemail transcription and call recording.
Leading Enterprise IP Phone Models
- 600 Series VoIP Phone: The perfect choice for executives and executive assistants, with 12 lines, a high-quality speakerphone and a large color touch display.
- 900 Series VoIP Phone: This phone consists of a base unit and a cordless handset that allows employees such as receptionists and retail staff to stay on the line as they move throughout the building.
Mitel
Features and Advantages
Shoretel was acquired by Mitel in 2017, although the names of the two companies’ products and services haven’t quite finished merging yet. Mitel offers its own VoIP solution and unified communications platform MiVoice, as well as its cloud-based counterpart MiCloud. The most popular Mitel features include:
- Scalable and powerful solution for managing the growing complexity of your enterprise data
- Audio, video and web conferencing
- “MiCollab,” an online collaboration tool and workspace
- “MiContact Center Enterprise” for managing an enterprise-class call center
Leading Enterprise IP Phone Models
- 6900 Series IP Phones: Mitel calls this model “ideal for power users,” due to features such as the HD audio, large color display, embedded Bluetooth and automatic integration with mobile devices.
- 5304 IP Phone: This entry-level phone comes with a small footprint that makes it the perfect choice for places such as classrooms and hotel guest rooms.
Final Thoughts
From tiny startups to Fortune 100 companies, organizations have successfully incorporated VoIP into their operations. No matter what your business goals and requirements are, there’s a VoIP solution out there that will match them.
Are you thinking of architecting an IP telephony system or a unified communications infrastructure at your own organization? CTC Technologies can help. Contact us today for a free consultation about the solution that works best for your needs.