VoIP Phone Systems
Why Business is Making the Switch?

VoIP phone systems use IP (Internet Protocol) to carry voice over data networks. As a consequence, voice has joined all the other applications that are accessible to business people whenever they log onto a private corporate network or the Internet. The business benefits resulting from the convergence of voice and data account for the success of VoIP phone systems in rapidly superseding traditional business phone systems.

VoIP Phone Systems - voice is an application

1. IP phone systems carry voice data across networks in the form of packets that navigate their way to destinations or end points (such as a handset), where they are re-assembled into audible voice communication.

2. IP networks carry data relating to many applications in addition to voice. The necessity for parallel voice and data networks is eliminated.

3. They use "soft" rather than hard wired technology. For example both the VoIP PBX and the VoIP softphone are software products, which means that they are more flexible and easily supported than hard wired devices.

4. VoIP phone systems break down the silos that have traditionally separated voice and data. The benefits of the resulting convergence are only now beginning to be understood and applied.

VoIP Phone Systems - the attractions

In an an age when even small businesses must operate globally, VoIP business solutions have become an essential tool.

No matter where they are in the world employees can stay in contact using a range of options from a VoIP business phone or softphone through to a WiFi smart phone.
They can reduce or even eliminate the requirement for internal calls to go via public switched networks with associated costs.

Long distance call charges can be reduced or even eliminated.

They can even eliminate the monthly phone bill.

Remote or home based employees can communicate as easily and regularly with management and colleagues as head office based employees. They can communicate via VoIP business phones or soft phones over broadband or cable services without incurring additional costs.

Mobile workers can speak with colleagues or customers from hotels, airports, WiFi hotspot ... and communicate for as long as required at little or no cost. All they need is a smart phone with WiFi.

The technology has made the use of remote contact centers a viable option for small and medium businesses. Geography is no longer a constraint when selecting business service provider.

The use of IP networks means that communication is not limited to simply making a VoIP phone call. They also support complimentary applications including: fax, e-mail, chat, web video, ... in fact whatever type of communication is most appropriate to a situation.

VoIP phone systems are far more resilient than the systems they are replacing. Furthermore disaster recovery measures are simpler and less costly to implement. Instead of duplicating equipment at a 70% - 100% premium, an equivalent level of protection can be achieved by switching IP networks around for as little as 10% - 30% of system cost.

Simplified administration of phone systems. Technicians are no longer required to add, change and delete extensions. Adding or changing an extension can be done in minutes by anyone familiar with a GUI. Businesses not only save on the cost of using technicians to accommodate staff changes, but the long delays are also eliminated.

Unified Communication (UC) - the holy grail of voice and data convergence. Making communication progressively easier and more effective as the technology evolves.

VoIP phone systems have become the de facto small business phone system, whether as a premised based VoIP business solution or as a hosted VoIP business phone service.

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