The Public switched telephone network has been in use since the late 1800s. This age-old platform has supplied businesses and households alike with a dependable means to communicate with anyone worldwide for generations.
It goes by multiple names such as PSTN, landlines, Plain Old Telephone Service, or fixed-line telephones.PSTN phones are widely used and generally still accepted as a standard form of communication. However, PTSN communication has seen a steady decline over the last decade, with currently just 972 million telephone subscriptions worldwide, the lowest tally so far. There's a good reason for this.
A new form of communication called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has drawn attention for its faster, more secure, reliable, and cost-effective. Voice data is sent through the internet in digital form rather than plugging into a traditional phone jack like the Public switched telephone network (PSTN).
According to Microsoft, 82% of all companies who switch to cloud computing and VoIP discover that they save money. So, what is VoIP, how exactly does it work to save companies money, and should you start using a VoIP service provider for your business?
What is VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol offers a method to send and receive phone calls over the internet. People are starting to consider VoIP as the alternative to the local telephone method of communication.
You've probably heard of the IP address or Internet Protocol address. An IP address is how computers, phones, and other devices communicate on the internet.
While VoIP calls have been around since the late 90s, they've only started to pick up in this generation.
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What is Nextiva?
Nextiva is a communication platform that brings users together with business applications, intelligence, and automation, helping businesses engage and build deeper connections with their customers and teams.
The platform brings all communication channels — voice, video, collaboration, chat, and surveys together in one space. This helps businesses access their information to provide superior customer experiences and drive better results.
Intelligence and automation are in-built on Nextiva, so customer service is never in jeopardy.
It's easy to set up, use, and manage, so you don't have to worry about not knowing a thing about coding. You can add applications, such as sales and service tools, at any time from any device.
Nextiva Products
VoIP phone service
We have already established that VoIP service works on the internet, but here's how Nextiva's VoIP service stands out.
Nextiva is an ideal choice for most businesses because it offers VoIP phone service plans suitable for businesses and call centers of any size.
The phone service is reliable efficient and offers features beyond voice calling on every plan. Nextiva also offers platforms for sales, service, and remote team management. It's considered the most versatile VoIP provider. Offering a range of plans to choose from.
Call Center
Entirely run on the internet, the Nextiva call center phone system is designed to handle larger call volumes than a typical call center. A solution that is vastly different compared to a PBX phone service.
Here are its features
- Interactive Voice Response- IVR sends incoming calls to the right agents for the job and is customizable
- Call Recording
- Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) based on working hours, technical support level
- Call Routing- Manage customer interactions and don't make them repeat requests
- Dashboards and Reporting- Access to advanced features & reports to measure call center efficiency
Video Meetings
Video and audio meetings bring teams together with HD video and audio meetings on one of the most reliable networks.
Nextiva screen sharing and file sharing make working sessions easier. It's a complete, secure, encrypted screen sharing and file sharing solution.
Video icon Live streaming and webinars allow you to take your events and workshops virtual. Nextiva Video can be used to easily set up, manage, and run live streams.
Cospace: Collaboration and CRM
Nextiva CRM and collaboration platform is a communication tool that makes it easier to host all business activities in one place so that you never miss a beat. Create group chats for private workspaces and teams to instantly share messages, workday updates, files, and links, keeping everything organized in one place.
Nextiva Mobile App
Nextiva makes seamless switching between desktop and mobile any time, anywhere, possible. You get all the communication features of the desktop on your mobile device with the mobile app.
How does Nextiva work?
Nextiva operates as a hosted private branch exchange (PBX) using cloud-based communication technology to help you interact within your teams. Back in the day, PBX was a private telephone network in a building.
Today, through the development of VoIP, you can have a private phone network using the internet and from a distance. Nextiva connects calls between toll-free and local phone numbers and users. Before your phone starts ringing, there's a lot of magic that's going on.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) exists at the core of a Nextiva phone system. Phone extensions exist virtually and not as physically as they used to. You can use any existing business phone number and convert your phone calls from analog sound with codecs to achieve superior call quality.
For optimal performance, many VoIP providers like Nextiva set up a network of data centers. In bad weather, communications automatically move to another server without missing a beat.
How you can set up an effective VoIP with Nextiva
- Create a Nextiva account and log into the admin dashboard; the portal is where you will build your team and manage it; that's why it's important to set a backup or administrator for the phone service.
- Navigate to the administrator and user portals to know how your team will interact with your virtual phone system.
- Set the working hours. Automated features for call forwarding and auto attendance make your job easier in the long run. Planning and designing it early will save lots of time and effort. You won't have to worry about handling calls over lunch or when on leave.
- Configure team extensions and voicemails. Nextiva allows you to define an extension for everyone and every feature. This is where an organized system is helpful to not just its employees but also to its customers.
- Design your call flow on a canvas with a drag-and-drop feature. Also, export your call flow to have a record for future reference.
- Enable call routing and auto attendants.
- Switch to custom Greetings and call recordings to add a more personal touch.
- Switch to team presence to know which team members are online and available.
- Install the Nextiva App for a mobile device.
Features of Nextiva
HD Phone Service
Unlike the traditional phone lines, Nextiva uses the internet as a communication tool specifically designed for businesses.
Unlimited calls (in North America) and texting
Nextiva has no per-minute charges or calling limits. It follows a subscription model. Staying in touch with customers can be your top priority to earn their trust.
Build better relationships from customer communication regularly when you place calls anywhere in the United States and Canada.
Call Analytics
Nextiva, can give access to historical data to make smart, objective business decisions.
You will be better prepared to predict business opportunities and results based on prior performance.
Nextiva Call Analytics helps make genuine connections with your customers using call analytics.
Voicemail to Email
Receive voicemail messages in your email by integrating Nextiva with email.
Read and re-read messages on a platform you are already checking out of habit.
The Voicemail to Email feature facilitates your employees to respond to customers' needs quicker, even if calls are missed.
Call Presence
The call presence feature allows your business to track and monitor the status of employees and colleagues.
You can see whether they are on a call or not, indicating if others are busy, forwarding the call to the right person.
Other Features of the VoIP are:
- Anonymous Call Rejection
- Push to Talk
- Priority Alerts
- Custom Ringback
- Custom Music on Hold
- VoIP Switchboard
- Hosted PBX Phone System
- SIP Trunking
- VoIP Desk Phones
- Nextiva Softphone
- Conversational AI
Pros Of Nextiva
Comprehensive VoIP Business Phone System
Nextiva is a cloud-based business VoIP phone system that offers all the features you'd expect from an enterprise-grade service. Nextiva's unique tools can help you manage your customer experience.
Advanced Call Management Features
Nextiva is a robust and comprehensive VoIP business phone system ideal for midsize businesses and enterprises. It offers advanced features like call routing, on-hold music, auto-attendants, voicemail transcription, etc.
Built-In CRM Capabilities
Nextiva also has built-in CRM software that helps you track leads and manage customer relationships.
Unlimited User Scalability
You can add unlimited users to your plan at no additional cost, making it easy to scale up as your business grows. Nextiva uses I.P. phones that plug into your network router from a hardware standpoint. Still, you can also use mobile apps and softphones to make calls from any web browser or mobile device.
Flexible Calling Options
You'll need to contact Nextiva for a custom quote based on the size of your company, but expect to pay somewhere around $20 per user per month for an enterprise plan.
Cons of Nextiva
Customer support
The customer support team at Nextiva is not their strong suit. They are responsive and get back to you quickly, but they don't always follow up on your questions or concerns. It can be frustrating to try to get issues resolved through customer support.
Not the best mobile app
There are a lot of bugs in the Nextiva mobile app. It is a significant disadvantage in today's world. You can only use the service with your phone if you download the Nextiva app, which is not user-friendly.
Pricing
Although some monthly plans are available, most clients need an annual plan that includes features they may not even need. The standard package costs $18.95 per user, but if you want any additional features, it will cost $29.95 per month per user, which can add up quickly.
Top 6 Nextiva Alternatives
- BotPenguin
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Chat
- RingCentral Office
- Dialpad Talk
- Zoom Meetings
BotPenguin
BotPenguin is a chatbot platform that helps businesses engage and convert their customers through conversations. They believe the future of sales and marketing lies in using bots.
Therefore, they are here to help you achieve that with their full chatbot product line.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is your hub for teamwork in Office 365. All your team conversations, files, meetings, and apps live together in a single shared workspace. You can take it with you on your favorite mobile device. Whether sprinting towards a deadline or sharing your next big idea, Teams can help you achieve more.
M.S. Teams combine instant messaging, video conferencing, calling, and document collaboration into a single, integrated app – and enable exciting new ways of working.
Google Chat
Google Chat is a communication software developed by Google built for teams that provide direct messages and team chat rooms, similar to competitors Slack and Microsoft Teams. Along with a group messaging function, it also allows users to communicate with each other via text, voice, or video calls.
Google Chat is an enterprise collaboration offering. It is available to all G Suite customers, and you can use it in your browser or mobile app.
Zoom Meetings
Zoom Meetings is a video conferencing solution. It lets users host unlimited 1-on-1 meetings, but group meetings have time limits. You can use Zoom for video and audio calls, online meetings, or share screens with other participants. Zoom can be accessed from a browser or mobile app and is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
RingCentral Office
RingCentral Office is a cloud-based business phone system that lets you manage voice, fax, text, and conferencing from the same platform.
It offers advanced features like call forwarding and recording, voicemails to email, online faxing, and its mobile app.
Dialpad Talk
Combining the power of Google's A.I. with an intuitive user interface, Dialpad Talk makes it easier than ever to reach the global workforce.
Whether in your office or on the go with Dialpad Talk, your phone system travels with you. Set-up is fast and straightforward, with no hardware to install or software to maintain. And since Google Cloud powers it, you can be sure you're getting a secure and reliable solution built on world-class infrastructure.
Nextiva Pricing
Essential Plan (Ideal for small business)
- From $17.95/Mo/User - $23.95/Mo/User
Professional Plan
- From $21.95/Mo/User - $27.95/Mo/User
Enterprise Plan (Ideal for medium businesses)
- From $31.95/Mo/User - $37.95/Mo/User
Ultimate Plan (Ideal for Large businesses)
- From $52.95/Mo/User - 67.95/Mo/User
The pricing of all the plans varies depending on the number of users a business subscribes to. A business subscribing for 1-4 users pays more per user. A business subscribing to over 100 users pays lesser per user.
Conclusion
Whether a Business needs a VoIP system depends on its size, quality network, and other needs. Ensuring a good enough upload bandwidth is in place for the number of phone calls they expect to have running simultaneously.
For a business that VoIP makes sense for, users who switch to VoIP from the PSTN could save up to 30% on telecommunications costs. (AtlanTech).
There are many benefits of using Nextiva. Like, cost reduction, both in terms of maintenance and the monthly usage, better interface, and superior features. However, there's also an ocean of VoIP providers (1100 in the US alone). Be sure to do your research, and know what to look for when selecting the right platform for your business.
