About Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
VOIP is the latest advance in Telecommunications technology. When the internet was first introduced it was only a matter of time before it was put to use for telecomms purposes. Early attempts to use the Internet for Voice calls had bandwidth issues as well as many security fears. We are now past this point and have stable technology from a range of vendors and also different solutions ranging from VOIP enabled PABX to Software based telephone systems. All of these solutions allow convergence of the Voice and Data into a Single Network connecting VOIP Phones onto computer networks.
What is VOIP ?
Traditional telephone systems use the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) to enable calls to and from other users. VOIP avoids this network and utilises the Internet instead by converting the voice into data and transmitting across the network. By using this method the call charge that is normally associated with the telephone call is taken away. The biggest gainer for VOIP calls is on long distance calls. Many companies are already using this technology where they have multiple sites. The savings on the call charges can be quite substantial.
What Are the Advantages & Benefits of VOIP ?
The first and foremost advantage are the call charges. If your company is a heavy user of Telephone services then there will be quite a substantial saving to be had. Most companies already have broadband connections so the additional cost of using the telephone becomes the IP equipment to connect to the Internet.
Other Benefits Include:
- Multiple Sites Can be connected with free calls.
- Voice and Data can be converged onto a single network.
- Remote workers can connect to office systems utilising broadband connections.
- Integration of IP applications with the telephones for uses such as Screen Popping.
- Making your organisation future proof to advances in technology.
- Easier System Administration and better control of your communications.
Is it for You ?
VOIP technology is most definitely the way forward for Telecommunications unless another miracle technology is developed. Having said that, at this point in time there is not a lot of smaller companies that have VOIP telecomms enabled. This will be where the cost saving comes into its own.
If you have multiple sites that are making a lot of calls between them then you should upgrade to VOIP telephony as soon as commercially viable. If you are also making lots of long distance calls then this is a technology for you. If however you are not doing any of the above our advice is to not perform an immediate upgrade. We would advise that at the next upgrade point in your telephone system you should change to VOIP technology.
