Your business is looking for a new phone system replacement, but with so many options out there, it’s hard to decide where to begin your unified communications search. Would primary rate interface (PRI) benefit you more than VoIP-based Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)? When you’re looking to boost productivity and lower your overall spending, you need to choose carefully. There are substantial differences between the two communication methods, from internet connection to call quality and beyond. Let Digital Agent walk you through the significant points of each and find the perfect solution for your business.
PRI Phone Services
PRI is an older, on-premise phone system that has been in place for many years. It has one data channel that supports caller ID, doesn’t require data bandwidth to support voice calls since it doesn’t run off the cloud, and offers high-quality call connection due to it’s dedicated line structure. When you consider SIP trunk vs. PRI, it usually comes down to how affordable either option can be for your business. While PRI offers physical lines and physical hardware which can be easier to work with, PRI trunking is expensive to implement and upgrade. It also requires dedicated space, specialized contracts for instances of international calling or local calls, physical connections, and has a slow upgrade process due to being hardware-based. All of these elements together are ideal for organizations that want to implement hybrid PRI and SIP solutions or have legacy PRI infrastructure in place that would have a difficult time gaining access to a fiber-optic internet connection.
SIP Trunking Services
SIP supports VoIP phone systems through cloud network technology. There’s a wide variety of services that SIP offers, from video conferencing to SMS messaging, data transmissions, and more. All of this is provided through hosted phone communications, giving you a VoIP service that is maintained by an outside vendor or source. SIP trunking is commonly offered by vendors based on how much you need instead of a mass package. SIP eliminates the need for traditional phone structure and takes your telephone technology to a digital level. SIP trunking is cheaper than PRI as well since it’s hosted from an outside source. As a cloud-based phone system, it can be integrated with multimedia communication for a greater degree of collaboration and productivity for a much lower cost than PRI. That said, it requires a stable internet connection to function correctly and needs ongoing security services to prevent outside hacking attempts from taking place. This form of communication is best suited for contact centers or businesses where long-distance and international calls are the norm.
Hosted vs. On-Premise Phone Systems
Determining the ideal communication solution for your business is a decision between using a cloud-based phone system vs. on-premise phone systems. It doesn’t have to be a difficult choice when you rely on expert services and advice to help you find the right communication method. Whether you want a mass package that is hosted on-site and based around reliable hardware or a customized package that is based on secure software, the decision is ultimately your own. If your business is focused on local calls, traditional communication channels, and you don’t have consistently stable internet, PRI is the perfect answer. If you’re continually making long-distance calls, want customizable communication channels, and rely heavily on your internet to support your business, SIP is the ideal option.
When you’re struggling to decide between different communication channels and which would be best suited to your needs, Digital Agent has the knowledge and expertise to advise and implement the perfect solution for your company. Our services cover every angle of IT, from cybersecurity to IT consulting, and more. As your one-stop-shop for all things IT, we simplify all of your IT services and ensure that you always have a partner on-hand to help sort through any issue that comes up. When you need a dedicated IT partner that proactively supports your business, contact Digital Agent.
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