At this point, hopefully you have read my previous articles, “Voice over IP Is Here!” - parts One and Two. In this article we are going to get a little more in depth about different voice over IP technologies, what their advantages and strengths are, and how to apply them.
Again, VoIP is simply taking your analog voice wave form and converting it into a data format for the purpose of transporting it across the internet as data. When the voice packets arrive, they are converted back into analog speech and are received on the other end so a conversation can take place. Converting voice into data packets and transmitting them as if they were data introduces us to a new possibility known as converged communications.
The term converged communications has a very subjective meaning these days. Depending industry, product, and who you talk to, the term takes on different meanings. Ultimately the idea behind the term is just that voice, mobile phones, video, data, and other technologies are all converging to exist on one network and platform. Sometimes you might hear interconnect companies use the term to describe a phone system that is VoIP capable and also still TDM capable. Ultimately, when you hear someone using this term, more than likely they are talking about the concept that all of our communications are becoming converged on to one platform.
Convergence is a good place to start because most businesses that are looking to implement VoIP, also need a system that can communicate with other protocols or platforms also. Convergence is happening and the world is getting closer to total integration, but we haven't reached total communication singularity yet. Therefore we still have the need to communicate on multiple platform types like regular analog dial tone, digital T1/PRI’s, and VoIP. The communications company you work with should investigate all the platforms you might need to use and coach you on how to integrate your needs into one system.
When considering implementing VoIP, it helps to start by asking yourself where you want to implement it and why. While I can't cover all situations, here are what I consider to be the top reasons to implement Voice over IP below.
1.) Creating a communications network
The goal here is to link offices in different geographic locations in order to create a communications network. The advantages of doing this include:
o Calls can be transferred from system to system, to any phone at any site.
o Station to station calls can be made easily between locations with no long distance charges.
o Status indications on your phone can display important information about other people regardless of which site and system they are on.
o Employees can share duties and shift call overflow to other locations.
2.) Virtual Offices and Remote Phones
Remote IP phones allow you to have workers and team members in the field who have the same capability on their remote phones as they would in their corporate office. If you have a mobile workforce, this is definitely a consideration. Remote IP phones are also great for home offices. As I mentioned earlier I have one myself as does our Vice President of Sales. Having them in our home offices is a great tool to insure we are always available to our team members and allow us to keep projects in motion that would otherwise get stalled until the next business day.
3.) SIP Trunks
SIP trunks are one of the newest applications of VoIP technology and they are quickly taking over the traditional analog phone line market. SIP trunks are just phone lines delivered over the internet and they are far cheaper than traditional phone lines. Business class SIP trunks are quickly becoming a reliable and money saving alternative to regular phone lines.
Implementing VoIP
Upgrading Existing Equipment
Now let's talk about some of the different ways to implement VoIP. If you are trying to utilize your existing system you may be able to add on VoIP capability by upgrading it. Usually this would come in the form of a software and/or hardware update. Depending on what you are trying to accomplish, these upgrades may also include changing service providers and your actual phone service
New Equipment
If you are buying a new system there will be some additional items to consider. Some phone systems combine analog, digital TDM, and VoIP. The stations or extensions within the office that are not VoIP, remain traditional TDM while the remote phones and remote office connections are VoIP. Doing it this way is sometimes a cheaper option on certain phone systems and occasionally referred to as a converged system. This is said in the narrow sense of the word, meaning it is converging TDM and VoIP together into the same system. Keeping your office phone TDM provides a certain amount of reliability, redundancy and balances the communications load by keeping the inner office communications off of the computer network. VoIP conversations are going to take up bandwidth on your network and could slow down your office network.
Going 100% IP is the other choice and many companies are choosing to do so. This consolidates all communication onto the same IP network. The advantage here is that there is one network to manage. All devices use this network thereby reducing the hardware and expertise needed. Redundancy can still be achieved, if needed, by creating a separate network or by using routers and switches to create virtual networks within your network.
The last option is not having the phone system at your office at all. Hosted solutions offer you the ability to simplify by only being the end point. You pay a monthly subscription fee and put in remote IP phones at each desk at every location. Your hosted solution provider will program their system according to your needs, using your phone numbers and after a few network tweaks, and of course, a reliable data connection, you are up and running! Most monthly subscriptions cover all maintenance and upgrades on their system, but does not normally cover any service or upgrades on the telephone sets in your office. The advantages with this approach are:
1. You don’t have to purchase and eventually upgrade a telephone system.
2. You control monthly service expenses.
3. You don’t have another depreciating asset.
4. You don’t have the headache of paying for personnel and space to house the equipment.
In conclusion, any option mentioned above, if offered by a reputable company is a solid and reliable way to converge your communications. Pick the solution that makes the most sense for your business. As always, consider having an expert evaluate what you have and then give you some recommendations.
Stay tuned for Voice over IP Is Here! - Part Four, where I will talk about some of the pitfalls to be aware of with VoIP.