|
What are
the benefits of VoIP?
VoIP has one
compelling advantage - cheaper calls.
Traditional phone calls work by
allocating an entire phone line to each call. With VoIP, voice data is
compressed and transmitted over a computer network. This means VoIP uses
up to 90% less bandwidth than a traditional phone call and is consequently
more cost effective and more efficient.
Phone companies are already using
the technology to carry international calls. Currently 6% of international
traffic is internet-based. According to a recent research report this will
be up to 75% by 2007 (Frost & Sullivan). In fact if you use a cheap,
long distance telephone service, you're probably already using IP
telephony without knowing it.
VoIP is helping the phone companies
save money, and by introducing a VoIP phone system on your own computer
networks, you could do so too. For any business, the immediate benefits
can be:
- Cheaper external calls. You can make long-distance and international calls for the
price of a local call.
- Free internal calls
to all parts
of your company that share a computer network. With a Virtual Private
Network (VPN) in place you can speak to connected colleagues at
different branches or on the road for free.
But cheaper
calls are not the only advantage.
- Simpler infrastructure. With VoIP on your network you no longer need separate
cabling for your telephone system.
- Scalability. Traditional PBX (Private Branch Exchange) based phone
systems come in many size ranges and it may be necessary periodically to
scrap existing systems and replace hardware; this is not the case with
VoIP systems.
- Reduce operating costs. Because a VoIP
exchange is based on software rather than hardware, it is easier to
alter and maintain.
- Improve productivity. VoIP treats voice as if it were any other kind of data, so
users can attach documents to voice messages or participate in virtual
meetings using shared data and videoconferencing.
- Connect to customers. By adding a 'click to talk' button to its website, a
VoIP-enabled enterprise can put web users in touch with its customer
service personnel.
- Dependable call management. Voice-related services, like follow-me roaming, caller-ID,
call forwarding and broadcast messaging, become simpler to maintain and
can be updated as needed by your employees.
- Flexibility. A Virtual
Private Network (VPN) is an allocated amount of bandwidth on the public
Internet where public access is prevented through encryption. If your
company has its own VPN and combines it with VoIP, you can set up a
fully functioning office anywhere there is a broadband connection.
Green-field sites can be up and running in minutes not weeks.
For further information
please email voip@tsigroup.co.uk or call 0800 652 79 09
|
home