How does Vonage help small businesses work more effectively?
We’re about making a small business – particularly home-based businesses - look bigger than they may really be and trying to maximise their image to the outside world without costing an arm and a leg. The best example of this is our core product, which enables you to run an additional phone line over an existing broadband service, which you’re already paying for. So you don’t have to pay for another line and you don’t have to pay for another broadband service.
What sets Vonage ahead of the competition?
We provide a phone line over an existing broadband connection, therefore when we look at the competition we have to consider traditional landline providers and voice over IP (VoIP) providers. When it comes to comparing Vonage to traditional phone line providers, such as BT, the difference is price and features. We estimate that small businesses can each save up to £400 in their first year by using Vonage because there is no need to get another BT line. You can simply run the service over your existing broadband connection.
When it comes to comparing Vonage to VoIP providers, you have to remember that Vonage acts just like a phone line, you don’t need it to interface through a PC or app (although we do have an app for smartphone users). In many cases, those wishing to make a call through Skype need to make an “appointment”, so it does not really stand in for a traditional phone line. In addition, one of Vonage’s features means that you can choose the area code for your business irrespective of where you live.
We bring the best of both worlds together helping small businesses maintain a professional image and allowing them to communicate effectively with their suppliers, partners and customers.
Are there any major developments in the pipeline?
There are two main areas we are looking to develop. Our core offering is about turning your broadband into one, two or even three phone lines when you are running a micro or home-based business. However, some customers need a solution that grows with their business and equally relevant are those micro businesses that have a need beyond the home office. So what we are talking about is a service that is suitable for businesses with 5 or 10 people.
Traditionally, this type of voice solution called the PBX, required you to have a piece of kit in your office that acts like a computer and enabled you to have certain functionality, like transferring between extensions or a pre-recorded message for people calling into the service, e.g. press one for sales, two for accounts. What we have already started to offer, and expect to build on, is a PBX in the cloud. With this cloud-based system you do not need to buy that extra PBX kit when you run out of space or open a new location, you simply add on an extension. What is even more fascinating about this is that the new extension can be anywhere, so if you work with various partners or have remote employees, they can be in your phone “network” from any location worldwide. It is definitely an area we see as growing in the future.
What’s the second development?
The other area is mobile. Unless you have a mobile offering as an operator selling a service, you’re in trouble. Once you’ve bought the Vonage service, you can download an app from iTunes or Google Play that allows you to access your service through up to two smart phone devices. For small businesses who have suppliers, partners or customers abroad there is no longer a need to worry about the cost of calling those locations as we offer competitive pricing on international calls and you can now access that through your smartphone.
More importantly, as the app can be used through a wi-fi network for the international traveller, using Vonage can reduce the cost of international calling when abroad. Regardless of where you are, you can use the mobile app to phone the UK and you won’t have to pay any roaming charges.
Mobile is key for any business and we are continuously looking at ways in which we can improve our offering to fulfil the needs of small business owners everywhere.
Will calling from landlines become a thing of the past?
In all honesty, I don’t think so. It is true that we have seen a decline in the recent years, technology has allowed for many new ways of communicating with each other, instant messaging, social media, email, etc. However, for small business there will always be a place for a good quality phone call.
Prior to Vonage, I ran my own consulting business and I know for a fact that there was always a deal or negotiation or even a sensitive conversation that was best to be done over the phone. There are many ways to communicate with those around you, but some channels are better suited for certain types of communication. As long as there are solutions that are cost-effective, flexible and reliable phone conversations won’t completely disappear.
How has tech changed micro-enterprise over the last twenty years?
Technology has dramatically changed the way small businesses work. The ability to open up your business through the use of the internet allows you to access more than just local customers but globally. But it’s not just about accessing new customers, but rather changing the way you run your business or where you run your business from. Cloud-based technologies, like Vonage, wi-fi, mobile, etc. mean that you no longer have to be in an office to conduct business but rather you can do it from anywhere. Collaboration between employees, suppliers, partners and customers – facilitated by these new technologies - can now be effortless, wherever they are worldwide.
I expect that we will continue to see change as we continue to explore the opportunities that technology offers when it comes to how we run a business.
Simon Burckhardt is managing director of Vonage UK
This advertisement feature is provided by Vonage, sponsors of the Guardian Media Network’s Business Connections hub
