We will explain how long most business class VoIP phone equipment is good for. In today’s modern tech world, planned obsolescence is a real pain. We all begrudgingly accept the fact that the smartphone we buy tomorrow is going to be just about useless in 18 months or so.
In the same regards, many of our customers want to know how long their phone, routers, and other business class VoIP phone equipment is going to be good for. Considering most people expect technology to be outdated within a year or so, it makes sense to hear this question all the time.
Fortunately, this is something we hear often, and can easily answer because we not only deal with VoIP technology, we also have inhouse IT professionals who truly understand and know the products we offer and recommend. So, let’s figure out how long that phone on your desk is going to be good for.
How long is business class VoIP phone equipment good for?
From a warranty standpoint, most phone manufacturers have a 1 year hardware manufacturer warranty. So at the very least you can expect that phone on your desk to be useful for the next year. This warranty period specifically applies to Polycom products, as well as many network components like Netgear routers and switches, Phybridge appliances, HP products, firewalls, etc.
But what about after a year? I’m sure we’ve all heard of tales about cars dying 100 miles after the warranty expired, or TV’s burning out a week after the warranty period ended.
Well fortunately, the failure rate on IP phones is beyond low. The instruments we deploy are extremely reliable. IP phones are nothing like a cellphone. Think about it, they sit on your desk and take a fraction of the abuse a cellphone does.
From our experience, the phones themselves can easily last 5 to 10 years. And, during this time, they won’t go obsolete or bad despite time going by. In fact, once systems have been installed and the software deployed, your phones, in terms of software, are not touched unless changes need to occur.
In short, IP phones really last as long as they need to. In fact, out of thousands of phones we’ve deployed, around 1 to 2 percent of phones had to get “fixed”. And, even then, the issue was just a software one.
What VoIP phone equipment does have issues?
Just because the phones last (almost) forever doesn’t mean everything is impervious from issues. In fact, out of all the technology we employ at our customers locations, we generally only run into issue with network devices, like routers, switches, or firewalls. These devices can get damaged because they tend to be in out of the way locations like closets, basements, crawl spaces, attics, etc. We seen things like power surges and other types of environmental damage affecting these devices. Occasionally we run into an issue with imporpper manufacturing, but again this is somewhat rare.
Can I safeguard my VoIP and network hardware?
Yes. With Tele-Data Solutions, we warranty our equipment for a nominal amount, usually around $2 a device a month for an advanced replacement package. This fee also includes the labor necessary for replacing the hardware. We offer this because hardware is a plain in the butt to replace, so for a small monthly fee you can rest easy knowing that no matter what happens, we got your back.
And, this small fee is wrapped up into an optional monthly service plan. We do this so you don’t have to worry about making sure you warranty this phone or that phone or that router or this switch. We cover everything, wrapped up into one service plan, helping you avoid any potential headaches.
Of course, things can happen. Your basement can flood, your phone might be out of warranty, anything can happen that impacts the VoIP phone system at your business. When in doubt, or if you aren’t sure if you’re covered or not, get in touch with your VoIP provider. Or, if you’re still in the sales stage of dealing with a VoIP provider, bring up the issues about warranties right up front so you can be sure you’re covered. To learn more about VoIP phone system at your business click here to contact us online or touch base with us at 908-481-1200.
By Mark Johnson
Director of Operations, Tele-Data Solutions
E-mail: mark@tele-datasolutions.com | Direct Line: (908) 378-1203
I’m responsible for the daily operations of Tele-Data Solutions, and I’m proud to bring over ten years of experience to this position. I’m all about building relationships with my clients and applying technical expertise to solve their problems. I currently live in Basking Ridge with my wife, Linda, and our twins.
