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VOIP For Your Business |
by:
Jean Sutherland |
Many businesses are considering VOIP for their telephone businees needs. Many do not know exactly when they should consider itoption for them. Many do not understand how it differs from regular telephone service and howtwo differ.
Many companies are now beginning to look into alternatives to high priced telephone systems currently in use. They are realizing that there are huge benefits financially to those switching over to VOIP. They are realizing there is greater functionality with VOIP as well as cost savings and room for growth.
The simple basics of VOIP is that it uses high speed internet lines to carry voice traffic instead of telephone lines.
There are two basic technologies.
IP telephony runs overlocal area network also known asLAN. this isvery cost effective way for communicating withinorganization. It allows voice transmissions between people withincompany who are part ofinternal network.
VoIP is carried overwide area network also know asWAN. VoIP can be used to transmit voice throughWAN (such asinternet) or carry voice overpublic WAN (such asInternet) orprivate WAN, which provides enhanced security for communications.
Why wouldbusiness consider making this change?
Large companies currenly use PBX systems. This isprivate phone system withinorganization. Users work withcertain number of lines for all external calls.
Some companies usecental office exchange service know as Centrex, which is basicallyPBX in which all routing occurs not oncompany's premises, but atlocal telephone company.
Some use "Key systems", which are very small PBXs, designed primarily for small offices.
These systems all sharesame problem. When it comes to long distancecosts are enormous. As more and more this becomesglobal world, long distance becomesmajor necessity and this means one thing...large long-distance bills, Coupled with this these systems are difficult to change or expand with company growth and are unsuited to support more technically advanced communications. Because these systems are based upon proprietary technologies, companies are limited to only whatphone companies provide.
VOIP services make thisthing ofpast. As VOIP gains popularity among companies seeking more cost effective services these antiquated phone systems are slowing disappearing. Expansion of services will bebreeze because oftechnology involved with VOIP.
Companies will benefit from reduced overall costs as IP-based voice technology can virtually eliminate toll calls. It also slashescost of making add-ons, moves and changes tosystem.
Enhanced functionality. VOIP offers alloptions that callers are used to using such as call waiting, caller ID, unified messaging, directory services and vertical-specific applications. In addition, VOIP isstandard, open protocol, allowing companies to build their own audio applications or purchase other applications that will come from software developers.
Easy Expanion. As your company expands and grows this cost effective system will allow for expansion with very little cost.
Easy To Use. With VOIP, employees wil have many options--they can useVOIP phone that is identical toregular desk phone or use"softphone" which loads into desktops, laptops or PDAs as software. Added benefit is that they will be able to use their telephone number in any location.
In time VOIP networks will become even more usefull as it will be able to supportconvergence of data, video and voice services. This will enable companies to be ready forplethora of multimedia applications that are emerging from developers. VOIP technology will give guaranteed levels of reliability, quality of service and security.
VOIP is nowfully developed technology, providing companies withvaluable voice system today, and allowing forlatest technological advances that will develop infuture.
Companies need to get in onground floor to take advantage of allnew technology that is coming andsavings it will afford.
Aboutauthor:
Jean Sutherland istechnical writer forpopular website http://www.voip-place.com/where everything VOIP is discussed. She is alsoowner ofsuccessful website The Company Newsletter at http://www.thecompanynewsletter.comwhere you will find loads of free software, articles on marketing and common computer questions.
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