As with any technology within a year it will be outdated. One must choose carefully what type of technology will be the most cost-effective and have a longer “life span.” Here experts weigh in on the future of virtual platforms and whether or not they are here to stay and for how long. Is Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) really convenient for businesses or is it just a trend that doesn’t really provide benefits in the long run? For many companies it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep their facilities running (rent, maintenance, furniture, etc) as well as their operations going. VoIP is the answer to these common problems because when employees work from home through a virtual platform, you lower costs and increase productivity. This is just one of the many benefits of VoIP that makes it very likely that it will one day become the dominant platform.

Donna West from Focus Communications is a prime example of how virtualization can help propel a business for short-term and long-term goals. She set up three remote locations that all used VoIP which meant that her company could keep its local phone numbers and not have any long distance charges. Furthermore, the employees that she otherwise would have had to lay off because they could not work at the new locations were given VoIP access from home. As West put it, “If employees are given the opportunity to excel in this kind of situation, they will thrive.”

One of the top advantages that make VoIP a shoe-in for further success in the future is the ability it gives you not only to choose from a wider pool of employees but also the potential to reach many more clients worldwide. A virtual platform has no geographical limits (while there is a reliable internet connection). This allows your company employees to give presentations to clients via virtual platforms or to have virtual meetings. Cutting unnecessary travel costs is in itself a huge advantage.

Just as the internet has become an indispensable part of how we do business, so will VoIP be to various industries. Ray Shaw of Business and Professional Exchange, Inc. recommends that for VoIP to continue being a staple, you must work closely with your internet service provider. Specifically you need to make sure that Quality of Service is in place and that voice data is getting priority over other data. According to Shaw and other experts it’s better to get used to working with VoIP now because one day it will most likely be the only platform used. Slowly but surely, virtualization is here to stay.