As VoIP (voice over internet protocol) becomes more of a viable telecommunication solution for small, medium and large organizations, it is important to know your options and the differences between them before deciding on a solution.

Option 1: Hosted VoIP

Hosted VoIP service relies on a service provider’s hosted-PBX equipment to route a company’s voice and data traffic. This hosted method is efficient for small and medium sized businesses with limited IT resources. It offers the perks of a powerful VoIP system without the overwhelming price tag some solutions come with.

A hosted-VoIP system is scalable and allows features to be added and changed in order to accommodate the fluctuating needs of a growing business. The benefit with going to a hosted-VoIP solution is the ability to limit your upfront capital expenditures on hardware. The set back however is possibility of sound deterioration and dropped calls as a result of the PBX not being on premise. In addition, your monthly service may be slightly higher than an on-premise solution.

Option 2: On-Premise VoIP

The on-premise VoIP solution is a system whose equipment including servers, cables and routers are on the purchasing company’s premise. All the hardware that is associated with a traditional on-premise PBX system is deployed and maintained by the purchasing company’s IT staff or Managed Services Provider.

The audience typically for this sort of system is more geared towards large enterprises interested in systems that can be easily tweaked, modified, and uniquely configured for control and customization. Although highly customizable, this solution typically has a costly up-front capital expenditure which can sometimes be a significant investment for a small business owner.

Option 3: Blended Architecture/Hybrid VoIP

This VoIP option combines both hosted and on-premise solutions by using a blend of on-site hardware and off-site hosted application servers. Typically the on-premise PBX is small, reliable, energy efficient, and has no moving parts. These boxes also tend to be much more cost effective than a traditional on-premise PBX and easier to manage. In fact, many of the VoIP services providers will actually manage the PBX remotely limiting the need for any internal management.

The hybrid VoIP solution is also designed to improve reliability and limit any sort of sound deterioration that is sometimes associated with the hosted model. This solution works particularly well for business with multiple business locations, or with many off-campus users due to the blended architecture. From small business to large organizations, many companies have adopted this solution as an answer to their telecommunication needs.

Managed IT Services: Outsourcing your IT Dept.

Contrary to popular belief that outsourcing is a somewhat recent phenomenon, it’s actually been around as long as worker specialization has existed. Outsourcing IT services or using a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to handle the day to day IT operations can create an enormous advantage for your company. It can also be the game changer between you and your competition.

A Managed IT Service Provider can offer tremendous value and cost savings to your business when compared to traditional “break fix” or IT support departments. MSP’s can simplify and streamline your IT operations as well as reduce your IT expenditures. This is done by providing systems, solutions, and software applications as a completely external service. Whether your business uses a MSP with your current IT staff or the provider is your sole IT department, this allows the business and its employees to focus on more strategic aspects affecting your business and deliver true value back to it. In addition, most MSP’s offer 24/7 administration and help desk services.

As technology constantly changes, so do the skill sets that are needed to maintain these ever expanding areas. The volatility of IT can quickly make IT skills, hardware, and software obsolete. As software is updated and replaced very rapidly by the time a business invests in and trains full time staff, the technology may no longer be state of the art. MSP’s are well trained, have access to the best of breed technology, and are up to date on skills sets in order to survive in the expanding and changing environment of IT.

Often times, problems can arise in IT and can go undetected for days. With a MSP that is constantly remotely monitoring your system, these problems never surface. When they do surface, a business may lack the talent to tackle these problems. A service provider has a large talent pool available to them. It gives businesses a much better position to counter any kind of risk that may occur.

By using a MSP, you are broadening your horizons and gaining access to new resources, gaining better overall IT management, and reducing your cost of operations for the business.  As a result, many businesses have now decided to outsource their entire IT operations to a Managed Services Provide in the efforts to enhance competitiveness and focus on their core business offerings.

Though the concept of cloud computing started generating a buzz in 2009, the majority of small businesses have been reluctant to make the switch from desktop and in-house equipment and services. But that may soon change. According to Ray Boggs, vice president of SMB research for IDC, companies with 100 or fewer employees are expected to spend $2.4 billion on Cloud Computing services this year. This constitutes a considerable increase over last year’s $1.7 billion.

Cloud computing is internet based computing whereby workers are able to access their company desktops, data and servers through an internet connection. Cloud computing has revolutionized small businesses for various reasons. Mainly, cloud computing drastically cuts productivity costs by ridding the need for hardware, servers, software for PCs, and upgrades. Similarly, businesses run the applications needed without having to utilize internal services, thereby greatly reducing power usage and cutting costs.

Since all services are outsourced to external servers, there is little to no maintenance required because hard drives are freed, producing faster processing speed, the ability to integrate applications, and faster communication abilities. Limiting the need for computer maintenance places less emphasis on the need for IT staff, which are costly for small businesses. Cost cuts as a result of cloud computing have become critically important to small business owners and a key to their success financially.

In sum, cloud computing is more than a buzz term; it’s a powerful tool that is transforming the way small business owners approach their IT needs. And since cloud computing has just scratched the service, you are sure to hear more about it in the near future.