How to Test SIP Trunks
If you’ve migrated your traditional business phone systems over to a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) and SIP (session initiation protocol) trunk provider, then you’ll want to be sure that everything is working well and that you're getting the most out of your service.
Traditional business phone systems are sometimes seen as more reliable. People are used to their phone system and may not know how their new phone system will work with their internet connection. But with a high-functioning VoIP and SIP call network, you can have very high levels of performance as long as your internet connection is strong and your phone network is properly set up.
SIP trunking brings all sorts of benefits to your business. These include the ability to scale your calling system, cost savings and additional communication features like video conferencing, instant messaging and more.
For you to get the most out of your investment in a VoIP phone system, your SIP trunk network needs to be functioning properly. Learn how to test SIP trunks so that your phone network can handle your business' advanced communications needs.
Importance of SIP Trunk Testing
Knowing how to test SIP trunks will help to improve the quality of your overall business communication systems. Without proper testing, there’s a greater chance of system failure or error. Having this occur during peak calling times or during an important meeting with customers could be disastrous for your business.
By testing your SIP trunks up front, along with having a regular test and maintenance schedule, you’ll enjoy the following benefits:
● Your business phone center is always in peak condition. Testing your system upon installation and then at regular intervals helps to ensure that everything from sound quality to app speed is in tiptop shape. Even slight static on the line can make calls difficult
● Avoid network issues, dropped calls, slow service and more. While it may seem inconvenient to drop everything and perform testing, it's better to be safe than sorry
● Improve customer service. It's better to test when the customer is not on the line. Recreating common scenarios with employees and then addressing any issues is preferable to surprise scenarios involving customers
What to Test During SIP Trunk Configuration
Testing your SIP trunks should be done during system installation before you're receiving calls. It should also be done at certain points throughout the year for routine testing and maintenance. You can test SIP connections on your own, or customer care representatives from 8x8 can assist you.
Here are five different SIP testing methods you’ll want to consider using:
1. Test Your System During Installation
When your system is being installed, it’s important to test almost immediately and along the way. (Testing along the way, at regularly scheduled intervals, is a good habit to get into.)
By testing each component individually, you can ensure that everything connects properly to what it should and that there are no weak links within your system. This also makes it easier to spot potential issues with your system from the very beginning. This is better than having to do large-scale testing to uncover any smaller issues down the road.
2. Test Different Call Scenarios
After the network has been installed and you have determined that each individual component is functioning properly, you’ll want to test different call scenarios that could arise during business hours. Take some time to create a list of situations that could potentially put stress on the network.
For example, test for extremely high call volume. This could be when all of your employees are using their phones at once. During this test, you can see if the quality of the call remains high. Or test for the maximum number of concurrent calls allowed for your SIP trunk to see how the network holds up.
You certainly want to test internal calls within your network. But you also should test calls that take place with people outside of your network. You would not want to test calls with customers. Instead, test calls with partners or suppliers whom you know and who are outside of your network to determine that those calls run smoothly as well.
3. Test Concurrent Software
Your organization most likely has multiple software programs or platforms running at the same time on employees' computers or other devices. This software most likely also relies on your business' network connection to function.
Make sure to test each service with your SIP trunk connection while also testing every application at the same time. You’ll want to make sure all existing software can still function properly, even when your network is at full capacity.
Programs must be able to run smoothly while your employees are on calls with customers. Test the system while downloading large files or running programs that require a lot of system resources. For optimal business performance, calls must be uninterrupted regardless of which software programs are launched and running.
4. Test Between Business Locations
If your business has multiple physical locations, then you’ll need to test the connection and call quality between them. For communication to be efficient across all locations, it’s important to test your phone systems, messaging systems, video conferencing and more. Any system that will be used to communicate between your teams in different locations should be tested.
You can also incorporate the two previous conditions into testing between business locations. Consider high-stress scenarios, such as all employees in all locations on the phone at once and at the same time running multiple programs. Your SIP trunk configuration should be able to handle any extreme situation.
5. Test for Long-Term and Extended Use
Sometimes issues might not show up until the system has been stressed for multiple hour-long connections. Now, you probably won’t be on the call with your customers for multiple hours. But it’s important to do these longevity tests nonetheless. These will help to expose any memory or call quality issues when the system is stressed.
While performing all of these tests, it's not simply call continuity or quality that you should be looking at. With your IP phone system, you also receive access to a dashboard with analytics showing usage and performance reporting. When SIP testing, especially with extreme testing scenarios, take a look at the analytics and note any anomalies or issues that need to be corrected.
SIP trunk testing will help to spot problems with your business phone systems before they actually impact your business. Maintaining a high level of call quality is important, both to your customers and within your team communication. The SIP testing tips above will enable your system to easily handle your existing call volume. Finally, employ a regular testing schedule to maintain system performance over the long-term.
Optimize Your Phone System With SIP Trunking
You want your phone system to be the best it can be. When customers contact you, they should be able to do it with ease. An internet phone service utilizing SIP trunking allows you to make the best impression on callers by helping you appear more professional. It can also help your employees improve productivity by providing software that allows them to access features like messaging, voice, video and web conferencing.
Employees can use the software on their smartphones, desktops and tablets. Another bonus is that you won't have to deal with clunky, unsightly cords, wires and other hardware taking up space and creating an eyesore for your office space.
In sum, SIP trunk testing helps your operations run a lot more smoothly and efficiently.
How 8x8 Helps With Your SIP Solutions
8x8 offers cloud-based solutions that can handle your business phone needs and integrate your additional mobile devices. By providing unified communications across platforms and devices, your team can efficiently interact with each other and customers on any device, at any time, anywhere. Phone, meetings, conferencing, team messaging and contact center capabilities are all handled efficiently via a cloud-based network.
These unified communications use pre-built APIs to allow apps such as ZenDesk, Netsuite and Salesforce to integrate into your system for easy access or sharing. It provides for a single data source across devices and systems for ease of analysis. 8x8 also provides security compliance certificates for FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act), SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996).
Choosing the right technology is crucial to a growing business. Take the uncertainty out of the equation by choosing a SIP technology provider that can scale to meet your business' needs, whatever they may be at any given time. Call 1-866-498-2316 or fill out the form below to request a no-obligation quote from an 8x8 product specialist.
