Would you be surprised to know that Managed Service Providers (MSPs) encounter various challenges when it comes to voice and data transmission over the Internet?
Erratic network traffic. Fluctuating bandwidth demands. Fluctuation in data and voice transmission. Just to name a few. Apart from these, many more factors are responsible for instability in voice and data transmission. Issues such as latency, jitter, and packet loss can degrade call quality and hinder effective communication.
So, what’s the solution for the unsteady transmission of voice and data packets? Well, investing in the right communication system can be a good start.
In this blog post, we discuss how MSPs can maintain high-quality voice and data transmission over the internet. So, without further ado let’s dive right into the blog and read to know more about the sure-shot ways by which MSP companies can ensure high-quality voice and data transmission.
Investing in a High-Quality IP PBX System
First thing first, when it comes to maintaining high-quality voice and data transmission over the internet, nothing can beat the investment in a sophisticated and high-quality IP PBX system that comes with built-in QoS features. If you search for IP PBX software, you will get many options on the internet. But to handpick the right software, you need to do your research and check out their key features.
IP PBX systems are perfect for MSPs. That’s because MSPs serve many clients and have branches in multiple locations. When they invest in the right IP PBX software, they can prioritize voice traffic, manage bandwidth, and mitigate packet loss for both internal and external communications.
Leveraging the Quality of Service (QoS) Feature
The so-called QoS feature consists of bandwidth management and traffic prioritization. The QoS feature also prioritizes voice and data traffic. By leveraging the feature, you can provide the necessary bandwidth to your key communication applications for optimal performance. To prioritize real-time applications, establish QoS rules such as Voice over IP (VoIP) over non-essential data traffic. Here are some key QoS features in IP PBX systems:
Prioritization of Traffic
IP PBX solutions allow MSPs to prioritize voice traffic over data. This ensures that voice packets receive preferential treatment in the network. This helps in reducing latency and ensuring clear and uninterrupted voice communication.
Bandwidth Management
QoS features enable MSPs to allocate and manage bandwidth efficiently. This ensures that critical applications, such as voice communication, receive the necessary resources to operate seamlessly without being affected by other non-essential data traffic.
Traffic Segregation
By segregating voice and data traffic, IP PBX systems can prevent congestion and interference. This separation helps in maintaining the quality of voice calls even during periods of high network activity.
Packet Loss Mitigation
QoS mechanisms can identify and mitigate packet loss, a common issue in internet communication. This ensures that data and voice packets reach their destination intact, reducing the chances of call quality degradation.
Bandwidth Management
The question may come to your mind “What is a bandwidth management tool?” Well, bandwidth management tools ensure that no single application, device, or user can monopolize the available network resources. When it comes to ensuring that you have the right bandwidth, managing it is extremely important. Leverage bandwidth management tools such as:
- NetFlow Analyzer
- PRTG Network Monitor
- Wireshark
- Nagios
- BandwidthD
Traffic Segmentation
Traffic segmentation, also called network segmentation, is an architectural approach that divides a network into multiple subnets. Each subnet, or segment, acts as its small network. This enables network administrators to control the flow of network traffic between subnets based on granular policies.
Separate voice and data traffic to prevent interference and congestion. Isolate critical communication channels from less time-sensitive data transmissions. The segmentation helps in maintaining dedicated pathways for voice communication. Doing so reduces the risk of latency or packet loss.
Network Monitoring
“Monitoring and evaluation are a sine qua non of any organized structure.” Author Henrietta Newton Martin was so accurate when she told this statement. Without monitoring organizations can never accomplish their objectives. That applies to monitoring networks. That’s it!
Network monitoring means the steps you take to conduct an end-to-end assessment of the network. While monitoring a network, it’s extremely critical to use strong network monitoring tools to keep a constant eye on network performance. It would be helpful to set up alerts for any anomalies in latency, jitter, or packet loss.
Regular Network Assessments
Noted American author and educator Carol Ann Tomlinson said, “Assessment is today’s means of modifying tomorrow’s instruction.” Celebrated Indian writer Rajen Jani famously said, “Assessment precedes improvement.” Scottish historian Niall Ferguson said, “Some problems can only be resolved by network analysis.”
The same applies to networks. A network assessment is critical. You must regularly conduct assessments of the network infrastructure to identify areas for improvement as well as potential bottlenecks. Apart from that, assess the network’s scalability to accommodate the growing demands of voice and data transmission.
Security Measures
Did you know that poor network security can hamper network connectivity? When network security is deplorable, MSPs can face a lot of problems. That’s because a hacker or malicious actor can hack into a network security system and weaken its bandwidth. Cyber attacks can affect both voice and data transmissions.
That’s why you must have robust security measures in place to protect your network from cyber threats. Encrypt your network and have other security protocols in place to strengthen the integrity and confidentiality of transmitted data.
Employee Training
“Can well-trained employees have a positive impact on network speed and consistency?” If that’s your question, then the answer to it is a resounding yes. Educate employees on best practices for efficient use of the network, especially in remote work scenarios.
Provide training on the proper use of communication tools and applications to minimize unnecessary strain on the network. When you train your employees to leverage IP PBX systems in a highly effective manner, they become extremely proficient at that.
Regular Updates and Maintenance
To quote software developer, speaker, and symmathecist Jessica Kerr, “Software maintenance is not ‘keep it working like before’. It is ‘keep it being useful in a changing world’.” Regular maintenance and updates are the remedy to slow the network. It makes sure that the network system remains up-to-date and resilient.
It’s best to update and maintain network equipment such as routers, switches, and firewalls. Keep all including, updated with the latest firmware and security patches. That’s why it’s extremely critical to regularly maintain and optimize the IP PBX system.
Network Redundancy and Failover Solutions
Redundancy is a measure of how many backup servers are in place to support a primary server. Establishing network redundancy and failover mechanisms is a key step for MSPs to take to maintain business as usual, even when a primary link goes down.
Redundant internet connections and failover mechanisms ensure uninterrupted voice and data transmission, even during unexpected outages. That’s why MSPs must implement redundancy and failover solutions to minimize downtime in the event of a network failure.
Summing Up
For MSPs, high-quality data and voice transmission is not just a “nice thing to have” but a necessity. If they can’t provide that, then they will lose clients to their competitors. That’s why MSPS must leverage the right IP PBX system that can help them maintain high-quality data and voice transmission over the internet. If you are an MSP, you must make sure that you handpick the right IP PBX provider in the highly overcrowded market.