VoIP & Internet Telephony
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a general term for delivery of voice communications over IP networks instead of a regular (or analog) telephone line. VoIP handles the conversion of electronic voice signals into a digital format, sends them out through the network and converts them back into an electronic analog voice format. Thus a VoIP solution effectively performs the function of a traditional analog telephone system.
Internet telephony depends on VoIP for its functionality. IP telephony builds on the VoIP capability and includes a host of additional software-based features running on computers to replace the infrastructure of the traditional PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) with a wholly computer-based solution. IP telephony eliminates the need for a dedicated PBX, communications cables, and can even replace ordinary telephones with “soft phones” that enable an audio-enabled PC to serve as the endpoint.
Biff Duncan Associates supports and encourages the idea of implementing VoIP & Internet telephony systems for our customers. They contain as many (if not more) features than traditional telephone systems, run over a customer's data network, and help to reduce the costs associated with running separate telephone lines. Who wouldn't love to save money AND be more productive??
Common questions/concerns customers have regarding VoIP telephone systems:
Q: Will the quality of the calls made on a VoIP telephone system be the same as a traditional phone system?
A: Yes. In fact, through the use of QoS (quality of service), the voice packets are given a higher priority than the standard data packets, making call quality similar (if not better) than a traditional telephone system.
Q: Do VoIP telephone systems support features like auto-attendant, call hold, call transfer, and music on hold?
A: Yes, all VoIP systems we recommend and use contain all of these features and many more.
Q: I have heard that IP telephony solutions are expensive to implement. Is this true, and what do I do with my current phone system?
A: Well, although there are start-up costs associated with implementing any new technology, our customers can expect a good return on investment (ROI) for the following reasons:
- A larger range of available system features allow for greater employee productivity
- VoIP systems require less employee training (as they are more intuitive), which means more time is spent working rather than fussing with the telephone system
- IT Staff can spend more time on other issues as VoIP systems are easier to support & maintain
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