Working within a school environment, you probably can’t imagine a day without communicating over the phone. Whether it’s with colleagues, parents, or suppliers, staying connected is a key factor that ensures important information is conveyed effectively. 

You might be thinking that your traditional landline system has served you well until now, so why make the switch? For one thing, legacy phone systems are well past their prime and are slowly being phased out, as discussed in one of our earlier blog posts. For another, the emergence of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is providing organisations with a more sophisticated communication solution. It would be wiser to adopt a VoIP phone system now rather than later when landlines are finally discontinued. 

Still, VoIP is an unfamiliar and untested tool for many schools.

VoIP — also known as cloud PBX — allows you to make and receive calls using a fibre or wireless internet connection. It is jam-packed with handy calling features. Previously, when you wanted these add-ons, such as voicemail and caller ID, you’d have to pay extra to use them. With a VoIP solution, these features are already included in your package. 

If this already sounds like the perfect solution, read on as we walk through the benefits of tapping into the power of VoIP for your school.

It is much more budget-friendly 

Schools are constantly under pressure to stay within budget. One area that is often a primary consideration for lowering expenses is the implementation of technology. Fortunately, VoIP works out as more cost-effective than landlines. There’s no need to install hardware or copper lines as your handset simply plugs into your internet modem. The next time you call someone in the district, you don’t have to worry about incurring long distance fees, as it is cheaper to place calls over the internet. It essentially comes down to one bill at the end of the month.

It offers multiple communication channels 

Back in the old days, when a faculty member wanted to contact parents, they picked up the phone and placed a call (in addition to the occasional newsletter). Schools can now reach parents in more ways than ever. With so many different options available on VoIP, it’s easier to keep your audience in the loop. Depending on the VoIP service provider and package, you’ll have voice, video calls, email, IM, SMS, and fax over IP at your disposal to spread your message in a way your audience might prefer.

It gives your staff simplified convenience

As we’ve already touched upon briefly, a VoIP solution is incredibly feature-rich. Aside from providing great quality voice calling, it also offers a multitude of built-in applications that schools need. Staff have access to extension menus such as call routing, can set up auto attendants, and enable call queue and call forwarding — all of which they can initiate without delay. This helps boost not only staff efficiency, but also parent satisfaction.

What’s more, VoIP comes with an easy-to-use interface that provides quick access to these features and commands. Between planning classes, grading papers, and sorting out administrative tasks, staff may not have the time to figure out how this technology works. VoIP is simple to install and implement, and when users are able to seamlessly interact with the system, the chances of successful adoption increase.

• READ MORE: How VoIP can help you drive more sales

Key takeaway

In today’s age of technological progress, VoIP offers distinct advantages over traditional landlines. Whether your school is new to VoIP, or you need to expand or consolidate your existing system, Nashua can offer you tailored solutions to meet your communication needs.