Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) has hastened the globalization, or “global village” phenomenon that advancing technology increasingly allows. By telephone, the closest you could get to your customer or your customer could get to you, was up until recently, a 1-800 number. VOIP has opened the doors to a seemingly local presence for companies with DID’s – Direct Inbound Dial. Voice Over Internet Protocol allows for a voice call, which traditionally would travel over the phone line, to now travel over the Internet protocol. Benefits of VOIP are many, such as lessening long distance costs, and increased bandwidth for providers. But the benefit of DID’s now brings international business to a whole new level. Companies are now able to open new Markets by using local phone numbers on websites and advertising to gain the local competitive edge. Your Sales and Customer Service are a local phone call to Customers. Customers are more apt to buy from a Company with a local presence, as it gives them a more ma and pop feeling, even though you are across the globe. It is a psychological benefit that the company is close by. Freedom Telework, Inc, a hosted call center using VOIP technology can install local phone numbers in any of 40 countries Worldwide. So you can be in Poland calling into Utah with a local Polish number. The only problem is getting Polish speakers in Utah. This comes in handy in places like French TeleWorkers for a Quebec company or vice versa. Naturally this comes in handy with Anglos and English speakers across the world and English businesses. This can greatly affect growth in international trade, creating a generous way to open foreign markets. These local numbers can ring at the company’s sales department or any phone number designated. Customers call inbound for free and the company pays only 3.8¢ per minute plus the monthly line cost. With the ability to call locally and prices that have shrunk to such an extent, globalization is becoming more and more of a realistic opportunity. The solution is here, to touch base seemingly around the corner, but realistically across the world, at the touch of a button.
Jennifer Hannah Gross is Vice President for Marketing and works at Freedom Telework Inc., a virtual call center company that offers hosted call center solutions and services such as progressive dialing, inbound call center, chat, predictive dialing, and many more.
