DIY SIP: Is It Worth It?

Today’s businesses depend on rapid and reliable communication to succeed. To achieve open multi-channel communication with customers and effective collaboration within their companies, organizations turn to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). 

SIP calling uses VoIP to move analog call traffic over an internet connection. SIP trunking allows the transmission of voice and data over a SIP channel, the digital equivalent of a legacy phone line. This technology is increasingly becoming the telephony of choice for modern companies with on-site PBX systems. 

Currently, over 25% of businesses globally utilize SIP trunking, and that number is growing. So, what does it mean to integrate a do-it-yourself SIP project, and what are its benefits? First, look closer at why so many companies are moving to SIP.

Introduction to SIP Trunking

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking is a method of connecting a private branch exchange (PBX) to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using the internet. It allows businesses to make voice over internet protocol (VoIP) calls using their existing PBX infrastructure. SIP trunking is a cost-effective and flexible solution for businesses that want to take advantage of the benefits of VoIP without having to replace their existing phone system.

SIP trunking works by connecting the PBX to a SIP trunking provider, which then connects the calls to the PSTN. This allows businesses to make and receive calls using their existing phone numbers and extensions. SIP trunking also allows for features such as call routing, call forwarding, and voicemail.

How Businesses Use SIP Trunking

To leverage the power of technology and enhance communication, small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) choose a reliable SIP trunking service. This optimizes communication and provides for some important workplace essentials.

1. Virtual meetings and conferences. In today’s fast-paced world, virtual meetings and conferences have become the norm. With SIP, you can host your own virtual gatherings without relying on third-party platforms. Whether it’s a team meeting, a brainstorming session, or a virtual happy hour, SIP has you covered.

2. Unified communications. Say goodbye to juggling multiple communication tools. SIP allows you to integrate voice, video, and messaging into a single platform, streamlining communication across your professional networks. No more switching between apps or dealing with compatibility issues—SIP brings everything together in one convenient package.

3. Remote work. Having a reliable communication system that accommodates any working environment is more important than ever. SIP empowers remote workers to stay connected with their colleagues, collaborate on projects, and maintain productivity from anywhere in the world. Whether your employees are working from home, a client site, the airport, or a remote office, SIP keeps them connected and in the loop.

4. Customer support. If you’re running a small business or providing services to clients, SIP can be a powerhouse for customer support. Set up a SIP-based call center or integrate SIP functionality into your website to offer real-time support via voice or messaging. With SIP, you can provide top-notch customer service without missing opportunities or breaking the bank.

Benefits of SIP Trunking

While SIP enhances the complex workflows of modern businesses, some organizations are still weighing the pros and cons of switching their entire communication network. Companies that adopt this technology find it well worth the investment and report many of the benefits of SIP trunking, including the following.

Cost Savings

The first cost reduction you’ll notice with SIP comes from utilizing the internet to transform all calls into local ones. This allows companies to avoid the expenses associated with international or long-distance calls.

With SIP trunking, calls are directed to the provider’s termination point and then seamlessly transferred to a local PSTN, resulting in charges equivalent to those of a local call. To stay competitive with internet telephony service providers (ITSPs), many SIP trunking experts offer additional services like ENUM, which enables remote usage of the same phone number, and the replacement of 800 numbers with local numbers tailored to your location.

In addition, small businesses can save money by reusing existing hardware that supports SIP instead of buying new expensive hardware. Integrating SIP trunks is not only inexpensive but leverages low maintenance costs going forward.  Overall, medium to small businesses that adopt SIP trunking can reduce costs by up to 70% over traditional phone service.

Privacy and Security

In today’s digital age, businesses can’t survive without privacy and security. With SIP, you have full control over your communication system, which means you can implement robust security measures to protect your data and ensure privacy for you and your customers. From encryption to access controls and secure authentication methods, SIP gives you the tools to keep your communication channels safe and secure.

Enhanced Disaster Recovery

SIP trunking services outshine legacy phone systems with their adaptability and resilience. In the face of network failures, natural disasters, or hardware issues, these services employ effective strategies, such as utilizing geographic redundancy, rerouting calls to alternative locations or data centers, and dispersing network operating centers to ensure continued call functionality.

Furthermore, your SIP trunking service can assist in developing a comprehensive disaster preparation plan, including protocols like call routing to predetermined numbers, backup trunk providers, and readiness with cloud systems or softphone applications for failsafe purposes.

Easy Scalability

SIP makes it easier for you to expand and scale whenever the need arises. Since SIP trunking doesn’t use physical lines, a reliable internet connection can make phone calls and video conferencing possible. If your business needs more phone numbers due to expansion to new locations or hiring more staff, it’s simple to configure SIP and add more lines from a convenient control panel.

Unified Communications with SIP

Companies are moving rapidly to integrate a unified virtual presence that centralizes their communications with SIP. Unified communications (UC) help streamline communication, lower maintenance and overhead costs, and eliminate conflicts that can arise when using multiple software platforms. With the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in every industry, more SMBs are adopting UC with SIP to leverage cutting-edge technology.

Improved Call Quality with SIP

Power outages and system failure can affect physical landlines when you need them most. In addition, system issues can decrease your phone calls’ quality, which might cost your business. However, SIP calling ensures that you can always receive calls during such scenarios.

SIP calling uses redundancy to reroute calls to other numbers or locations in case of failure in one location. Routing all calls through your Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange (IP-PBX) will save you from having to get any further configuration done. Therefore, you can add more than one number to your account, and calls from all numbers will be routed through your SIP trunk.

Improved User Experience

When implementing a new system, you don’t have to be an expert because SIP accounts aren’t complicated. You can easily set everything up from a simple interface. The control panel can help you manage your entire business phone system, enabling you to add or cancel phone lines and extensions while managing how your calls are routed.

Improved Availability and Reliability

Reliable and responsive customer service is critical for any business. It’s often the lynchpin that can make or break its reputation. SIP makes it easy for customers and other external parties to contact you and streamline communications, which can further enhance your customer experience.

Weather disruptions and power outages never affect SIP trunks. SIP numbers use the internet and keep backups so that you’re never offline for long periods, even if your internet connection goes down.

Access to Additional Features

SIP-based calls are available both domestically and internationally. You can get additional features, such as call forwarding, caller ID, and voicemail-to-email. With the right provider, you also gain access to real-time call data records, widespread DID coverage, bring-your-own bandwidth, and international call fraud protection.

SIP trunking has a feature called the pilot number concept. If a caller ID number is unrecognized, it’s set to a trunk number. That number is your pilot number and simplifies the configuration, ensuring there are no rejected outbound calls.

An Example of SIP Implementation

Let’s look at an example company called Creative Solutions Marketing. They’re an SMB with under 50 employees. They recognized the need to move away from expensive and inflexible landlines to support their goals. They knew they wanted a modern solution that could improve and streamline their communications while remaining cost-effective, so the organization turned to SIP trunking.

In attempting to upgrade their communication infrastructure, Creative Solutions Marketing faced the challenge of selecting the right SIP trunking provider. They needed a partner who could not only meet their technical requirements but also align with their budget and growth plans. They knew they needed a provider with a reputation for reliability, competitive pricing, and comprehensive service offerings.

The agency’s IT manager handled the implementation process, orchestrating the seamless transition to SIP trunking services. They evaluated their existing infrastructure, determined the necessary features and call volume, and initiated the account setup process.

The business was able to port existing phone numbers, ensuring continuity and familiarity for their clients and staff. With expert guidance from the provider’s support resources, the IT manager configured the IP-PBX and phones to integrate smoothly with the servers, allowing them to easily overcome any technical hurdles.

With the SIP trunking solution successfully deployed, Creative Solutions Marketing experienced a significant transformation in its communication capabilities. Employees embraced the new features and functionalities, such as call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and call recording, enhancing productivity and collaboration within the organization. 

The agency achieved tangible benefits, including reduced communication costs, improved scalability, and enhanced reliability. The agency’s decision to embrace SIP trunking proved to be a strategic investment in its future growth and success.

Troubleshooting Common SIP Trunking Issues

SIP trunking is a reliable and efficient way to connect to the PSTN, but like any technology, it can experience issues. Here are some common SIP trunking issues and how to troubleshoot them:

• Registration Issues: If the PBX is not registering with the SIP trunking provider, check the SIP trunking configuration and ensure that the username and password are correct. Also, check the firewall settings to ensure that the SIP traffic is not being blocked.

• Call Quality Issues: If the call quality is poor, check the internet connection and ensure that it is stable and fast enough to support VoIP traffic. Also, check the SIP trunking provider’s quality of service (QoS) settings to ensure that they are configured correctly.

• Call Routing Issues: If calls are not being routed correctly, check the SIP trunking configuration and ensure that the call routing rules are set up correctly. Also, check the PBX configuration to ensure that the call routing rules are set up correctly.

By following these troubleshooting steps, businesses can quickly identify and resolve common SIP trunking issues and ensure that their VoIP service is running smoothly.

The Verdict: SIP is a Good Solution, Get Started Today

SIP is a game-changing technology that puts the power of communication squarely in your hands. From virtual meetings and remote work to customer support and personal communication, SIP offers a world of possibilities for staying connected in today’s digital age. With its cost-effectiveness, customizability, scalability, privacy, security, and reliability, SIP is the ultimate tool for empowering businesses to communicate on their own terms.SIP.US is the provider of choice for companies seeking quality SIP trunking services for IP-PBX systems and analog/digital gateways. Using your existing internet connection, our service supports any SIP-compliant device, including IP-PBX, SIP softphones, analog telephone adapters, and T1 digital gateways. Our SIP trunks are provisioned immediately and come with a free trial that includes up to 60 minutes of calling. Get started today to achieve continued success in an increasingly competitive landscape.