The corporate eLearning market is expected to reach $49.87 billion by 2026. The continued adoption of remote learning has sparked the interest of corporate trainers in another realm — VoIP phone technology.
So, what is VoIP phone technology, and how can it support your virtual training programs? Follow along as we introduce you to VoIP systems and highlight their top ten benefits for remote learning.
What Are VoIP Phone Systems?
VoIP stands for voiceover internet protocol, which means establishing calls through the Internet. It is a communications technology that enables users to make phone calls using broadband connections instead of landline service.
A typical VoIP setup involves a router providing internet signals and a handset connection. The handset or phone system uses the internet to transmit speech over the phone (just like a physical landline).
The biggest benefit of VoIP is that you don’t have to install or maintain physical phone lines and equipment. It is also cheaper than traditional phones and can be scaled up or down much faster than them.
How a VoIP Phone System Can Be Used for Remote Learning
VoIP is not only limited to contact centers. It has advanced to include other forms of communication, such as video calling, messaging, in-app chat, and integrations with popular business applications. These features make VoIP systems great for remote learning.
Here are four ways businesses can use VoIP phone systems for remote learning:
- Softphones: Trainers can use softphones for communication with colleagues, managing calls, accessing work voicemails, viewing the availability of team members, and making one-click calls for quick consultations.
- Video Calling: Trainers can use video calling features provided by hosted VoIP services to conduct face-to-face interactions with learners, which can improve engagement and training effectiveness.
- Video Conferencing: For group training sessions or workshops, trainers can set up VoIP video conferences. This feature is especially useful for collaborative learning, team-building exercises and group discussions among learners.
- Screen Sharing: Trainers can transform their computer screens into interactive training tools using screen sharing. This is ideal for presentations, demonstrating software or processes, and providing a visual learning experience in a virtual environment.
Benefits of VoIP for Remote Learning
Let’s consider 10 advantages of VoIP systems when it comes to remote learning programs.
1. Enhanced Productivity and Efficiency
VoIP systems significantly enhance the efficiency of daily tasks, which is vital for busy corporate trainers and learners alike, enabling them to efficiently manage their workload.
Key features such as call routing, video conferencing, and interactive voice response systems allow corporate training professionals to effortlessly connect with remote teams, various departments and colleagues. This is particularly beneficial in large companies and multinational corporations, facilitating effective communication across different locations and time zones.
Plus, VoIP systems come equipped with features like auto-attendants, which streamline call management by directly connecting callers to the appropriate department or individual. This feature is essential in a corporate setting for quick and efficient communication. Additional functionalities like easy updates to emergency contacts and simplified reporting of absences enhance the system’s utility in a corporate training environment.
Corporate trainers and employees also benefit from the flexibility of accessing voice messages and voicemails from any device, anywhere. The ability to automatically transcribe these messages into text further simplifies and speeds up communication, making it more efficient and accessible.
2. Good Mobile Communication
In-demand corporate trainers who work as consultants delivering in-person programs are often on the move — traveling between various client locations. VoIP systems allow them to stay agile, organized and in touch no matter where they are. They can connect the phone systems of each location to provide employees and department heads with extensions they can access from any place.
This means as long as there is an internet connection, employees can make high-quality calls, no matter their location. And if you want to provide your people with more opportunities, it can be a good idea to make good use of educational mobile app development and create a dedicated app for remote learning.
3. Flexible and Scalable
Business operations typically fluctuate throughout the year based on market dips and customer demand. Paying for a system that does not adapt to these changes would be a waste of money.
The good news is that VoIP systems offer flexibility and scalability, because you don’t have to add or remove physical hardware when scaling a VoIP solution up or down.
4. Better Analytics and Reporting
Data is important and VoIP phone systems can provide helpful in-depth analytics to businesses.
For instance, data on call logs, call delays and backlogs can allow decision-makers to assess the efficiency of communication within the organization. They can also help determine the need for better systems and more trainers or resources.
5. Cost Savings
Compared to traditional phone lines, VoIP phone systems are far cheaper. That’s because standard phone lines require expensive infrastructure, hardware and installation costs. On the other hand, VoIP phone systems need only an internet connection and a headset and are cheaper to set up, configure and maintain.
VoIP systems also allow providers to make updates and improvements remotely, reducing the need for inconvenient and costly technician visits.
6. No Failover
One of the biggest challenges of digital learning is having the internet or phone network out of service. It can halt training activities and put both trainers and employees in a frustrating situation.
This is why good VoIP providers understand the importance of strong redundancy in their systems. Such VoIP systems are designed with several alternatives to prevent failover — meaning if one element fails, the alternatives ensure the system remains connected.
Whether the internet is backed up by cellular connections or there’s an integrated backup analog or POTS line, the best VoIP phones always have working components to keep communication running smoothly.
7. Self-Management Features
Compared to VoIP systems, legacy systems are difficult to manage and can sometimes be barriers to efficiency. Most institutions with legacy systems outsource information technology (IT) management to additional teams to free up staff time. This often fails to improve the performance of the system and instead creates more costs and more staff to oversee.
On the other hand, VoIP systems are easy to self-manage. They allow staff better control, enabling them to customize their own endpoints using a management console or online portal. This customization is quick, simple and convenient, removing the need to outsource IT management to another team.
8. Excellent Security and Privacy
Like all other systems, VoIP phone systems are susceptible to security breaches. However, they offer greater privacy, security and reliability than old-school phone systems.
Most legacy systems have very limited call logs, which makes tracking down stolen business data nearly impossible. Many PBX phone systems are also not well-supported, meaning a single outage can knock out communication for weeks.
On the other hand, reputable VoIP providers maintain top-grade security. They use Session Border Controllers, which act as a firewall to maintain performance and logical call routing. They also regularly patch security vulnerabilities and ensure optimal security and performance.
9. Integrations With Other Training Tools
VoIP-powered cloud tools are equipped with features that allow integrations with apps like Microsoft Teams or Google Docs, enabling trainers to use collaboration tools through a single, intuitive interface.
10. Improved Learning Quality
VoIP systems are great for strengthening communication between trainers, management and trainees, and boosting training effectiveness as a result.
With high audio quality, rapid response times, efficient call queue management, and effective call routing, a VoIP system streamlines communication within a corporate training environment. This clarity and efficiency are crucial in ensuring that all participants can engage effectively, regardless of their location.
Plus, VoIP systems facilitate easier access to crucial corporate resources. Employees can readily reach out for support services wellness or mental health services, one-on-one coaching and more. This accessibility not only enhances the learning experience but also supports the overall well-being and growth of employees.
Final Words
You can think of VoIP as the Swiss Army knife of remote learning — versatile and efficient. It offers cost-effective calls, high-tech features, and the ability to turn a chaotic remote learning venture into a structured, connected learning environment.
