Review of Cisco IP Phones
The term “soft phone” is a relatively new one being tossed about these days by VoIP-users and refers to client-side software that turns a desktop PC into an IP-based phone. Generally they are easy to install and use and offer effective integration with popular applications, such as Microsoft Outlook and give users the flexibility in how and when they receive and answer their calls. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular soft phones being offered by one of the IP phone systems leaders – CISCO.
Cisco provides a complete range of communications devices designed to take full advantage of the power of an individual’s converged voice and data network, while offering the convenience and user-friendliness usually expected from a business phone. Cisco Unified IP phones help improve productivity by meeting the needs of different user-organizations; from the main lobby to the busiest manager’s desk, from the manufacturing floor to the executive suite, as well as users at home, on the road, or in the branch office.
Cisco IP phones provide LCD displays, including dynamic softkeys for call features and functions, support for information services (including Extensible Markup Language capabilities), the ability to customize XML-based services to provide users with access to a variety of information such as stock quotes, employee directories, or any other Web-based content.
The Cisco IP Phone 7940 addresses the communication needs of a transaction type worker. It provides two programmable line and feature keys, plus a high quality speakerphone. The Cisco IP Phone 7940 also has four dynamic soft keys that guide users through call features and functions. Built-in headset port and integrated Ethernet Switch are standard with the Cisco IP Phone 7940. Also includes audio controls for full duplex speakerphone, handset and headset. The IP Phone 7940 also features a large, pixel-based LCD display. The display provides features such as date and time, calling party name, calling party number, and digits dialed.
The Cisco IP Phone 7960G is designed to meet the communication needs of professional workers in enclosed office environments-employees who experience a high amount of phone traffic in the course of a business day. This IP phone supports access to multiple telephone lines (or a combination of lines and direct access to telephony features) and includes high-quality, hands-free speakerphone capability and built-in headset connectivity. A large pixel-based display provides supplemental information, access to applications, and makes it easy to use telephone features.
The 4612 IP phone operates on your Internet Protocol (IP) voice network, This stylish phone incorporates a number of convenient features, such as a built-in headset jack, message waiting indicator, easily readable displays, hearing aid compatibility, NetMeeting compatibility, multiple programmable feature keys and display navigation keys.
Web search: Why Googles competitors cant catch up
Back in the mid-to-late 90’s “B.G.” (Before Google), there were several established, prominent web search engines. Among them included Yahoo, Lycos, Excite, AltaVista, and Ask Jeeves. There were also dozens, if not hundreds of other smaller and specialized search sites. So what makes Google, a relative latecomer to the search engine party, the force to be reckoned with rather than any of these other search sites? The answer lies in both Google’s effectiveness as a search engine. Also in its ability to implement other services and applications to give the user more benefits.
Google’s search engine is still the undisputed leader despite the heavy competition. Even when Google was in Beta Phase its first couple of years of operation, it produced better search results than Yahoo or any of the other major players. This is according to major computer magazine reviews. Google simply used better “crawling” technologies, as well as page ranking, which allowed it to better distinguish the sites that pertained to a search query better than others. Google also allowed companies to utilize its technology for their own databases and archives to make their searching capabilities better. Their success was always based on their fundamental technology of improved searches.
Google also takes searching a step further by specializing it even more. Its shopping search site, Froogle, allows a user to search multiple shopping sites for a particular item from one place. Google both indexes many shopping sites like Ebay and Amazon, as well as accepts input from other online retailers, at no charge, to be indexed in Froogle. The shopper saves much time and clicking and merchant sites get better exposure by focused search results. With its acquisition of Deja.com, Google also has the largest searchable database of Usenet posts. Giving it even further enriched search capabilities. Furthermore, with its Google AdWords, it can also present highly targeted ads that pertain to what the user is looking for, even further increasing the value of the experience to both Google and the user.
Google went beyond just being a search engine, to being a multi-purpose site that gives users a variety of free services and benefits. In exchange, Google presents highly targeted advertising that brings in the revenue. It’s a simple, yet highly symbiotic relationship that grows between the user and Google. By branching out even further with services like: free email/chat; voice; even earth satellite imagery with Google Earth; and Video on demand with YouTube, one of Google’s latest acquisitions, the user’s experience is even further enriched. This makes Google’s position on the internet incredibly powerful. Google continues to offer and implement even more products and services that continue to make it a constant repeat visit for the user, and that means even more advertising views at the very least.
Put it all together, and Google has an competitive arsenal that’s tough to beat. Competitors know that they can’t just duplicate Google, it’s too late for that. They have to find a way to make their sites better, searches even more effective, and its content more valuable to its users. They need to offer more value-added tools and services to their repertoires. That’s where the real challenge lies.
Tpad Offers Residential, Mobile and Business VoIP Phone Services Worldwide
This move is intended to vigorously compete with business VoIP telephony companies such as Packet8, Vonage and Skype. The Tpad solution has been specifically targeted at businesses that require a simple yet powerful, robust phone solution using the latest VoIP technology.
“As more and more businesses eventually learn about the extensive features and major benefits of VoIP phone solutions we wanted to be in a position to offer a low cost, easy to use package that would appeal to these businesses,” said Chris Morris, General Manager of Tpad.
“Tpad has designed a VoIP Solution that can be tailored for any SME in the World enabling Tpad to offer any customer the most flexible and affordable business VoIP phone service available todays competitive market.”
Tpad offers a wide range of next generation telecommunication solutions including a hosted and managed IP PBX package. The Hosted IP PBX, called Tpad Lite, will allow any company in the world to have their own private phone system hosted on Tpads global VoIP network.
Using the hosted solution companies will automatically reduce their cost of ownership on expensive communications hardware, as this solution allows them to simply rent access to the hardware from Tpad for a small monthly fee.
If you combine this saving with the massive savings on international VoIP calls using Tpad, this business VoIP solution is very powerful and competitive in the expanding business VoIP marketplace.
“We are very excited about having this excellent, user friendly business solution,” said Morris. “We have developed a communications package to fit in with todays demanding business needs. Using the Tpad solution will allow businesses to make massive savings on communications costs whilst enjoying the very latest calling features on this next generation platform.”
About Tpad:
Global VoIP ITSP, Tpad, offers internet-based telephony solutions for individual residential and business users as well as small to medium sized business enterprises (SMEs / SMBs).
Tpads hosted / managed IP PBX Tpads hosted / managed IP PBX solution is comprised of custom made call management software (Tpad Xchange) coupled with powerful business class features. Companies subscribing to Tpad Business VoIP pay a nominal amount per month for fully enterprise class IP PBX functionality.
Tpad also gives businesses an option to use any VoIP / SIP devices (ATA / IP Phone / Nokia WiFi Mobile / Softphone).
For additional company information, visit Tpad’s web site at http://www.tpad.com/business/
Â
VOIP software guide 101
Planning to go to a telephone booth or buy a card to make a long distance call but hesitant to spend so much money! Now scrap off your worries and adopt the VOIP service. VOIP is the commonly known abbreviation of Voice Over Internet Protocol. VOIP enables you to make calls worldwide via your Internet connection. Basically VOIP is a category of software and hardware that uses an Internet connection to pass voice data in packets using IP (internet protocol) in place of regular public switched telephone network.
There are many Internet telephony applications available such as Dialpad, CoolTalk, NetMeeting etc. Usually most of these applications are coupled with some popular Web browsers while others are stand-alone products.
The advent of VOIP and its surging popularity has led to depreciation in the costs of conventional telecommunications systems. Now you don’t have to pay for separately for your local charges but only your Internet rent. All you have to do is to say hello to Voice-over-IP and make use of the remarkable technology with which data and speech are transferred simultaneously and for which a separate telephone cable connection is not needed. This will save upto 80% of the amount you spend in making foreign calls through the standard way.
At present VOIP service is offered by leading providers such as Vonage, Lingo and Skype. Lingo is an ideal option to make international calls especially to Europe and Asia. Lingo is also commendable choice when you tend to move out of US because then you can carry your US number and call at US local rates from anywhere in the world. In comparison to Skype and Vonage, Lingo is cheap in cost.
Skype is perfect to use when you and your computer are inseparable and you have friends and family who use the same technique. Skype is deemed to be the best voice portal these days. Skype allows free calls to other Internet phone users while calls to regular phones and mobile phones are to be made at per minute fee. Skype also offers certain other add-on plans.
Out of these Vonage is the best provider of commercial and residential VOIP telephony. Vonage is different from Skype and other IM-based VOIP services for it offers a myriad of options to choose and many other uncommon features.
However at the end of the day you should opt for VOIP software that goes with your broadband connection. So before downloading any VOIP software do some research over the bandwidth the service requires, and then ensure that your internet service provider is able to match up with that.
Moreover you may not be able to avail excellent VOIP service if you are using a dial-up connection for with breaking connection, the clarity of voice and consistency in the call may also break.
Finally the cost of the call also matters a lot. So prior to downloading software, select a place where you have to call frequently. Once decided, check the fare of call with respect to the software. You may prefer to go with software that offers calls to your desired place at least rates.
VoIP for the Home
There is no doubt that you have heard about VoIP by now. It’s made headlines and is plastered everywhere both in online and TV advertisements. Just in case you haven’t caught on to the hype yet, VoIP is the abbreviated term for Voice over Internet Protocol. Voice over Internet Protocol is basically the ability to communicate on a phone over your Internet connection.
With VoIP, the promise is the ability to make local and global long distance calls at a significantly lower rate than over a plain old telephone line through your local carrier. The VoIP trend has caught on and large enterprises all over the globe are adopting this new technology to reduce their cost of business communications which may include fax, conference calling, along with streaming video applications. VoIP has been around for some time, but it has only been until recently that it has finally matured to the stage worthy of replacing everyday phone use.
At the household level, it is certain by now that you are compelled to embrace this technology somewhat, but are not sure how to go about it or even if this technology has any real benefit for your family. You are probably wondering, “How much? How difficult? Is it necessary?†This article hopefully will clear up a few unanswered questions you may have regarding this technology and maybe even excite you enough to go on out and get VoIP hooked up in your own home.
First off, you must have an Internet connection. No, not your 56k dial up connection, but an actual high speed Internet connection. This can be cable, satellite, or DSL Internet, but you will need high speed Internet for VoIP to function properly and become your new calling station. Dialup just doesn’t have the capacity or speed to transfer voice digitally without significant quality loss. A company named SpeakEasy has recently come out with a new DSL product that requires no current phone line for high speed Internet if DSL is your current favorite of broadband services and if you are planning on replacing your current phone service with VoIP.
Secondly you will need what is called a gateway. The gateway is connected between your computer and Ethernet modem. The VoIP gateway is where your phone line will be plugged into. Gateways enable freedom from possible computer problems that can shut down calling capabilities or deteriorate voice quality. Computer crashes, slow memory, and many other computer problems that plague us in everyday life, you do not want to plague your ability to make phone calls.
Gateways are specifically designed for VoIP phones but adapters are available for current phones should you not want to buy a brand new phone. VoIP providers usually have the adapters available for sale so you don’t have to shop around for one yourself. Before you write off buying a new phone however, video phones are the newest product line and it won’t be long before this trend explodes. You may want to get your video phone so you aren’t left out of exciting face to face conversations with friends and relatives when they get theirs. Packet8 VoIP has a good video phone sold separately with their services.
The services included with VoIP usually include all the convenient bells and whistles your current phone service provides including your own local VoIP telephone number, call waiting, voice messaging, 3 way calling, and more.
There are some important things to remember with VoIP before you go diving in to this feature rich voice technology. You should check with your VoIP provider for local 911 emergency coverage. Some VoIP providers charge extra on a monthly basis for both 911 and 411 access so make sure you know how much it is going to cost you before committing to a calling contract.
One last important thing to remember is that your gateway is reliant on electricity to function. This means power outages will put your phone line out of service, but then isn’t your phone already only functional with electricity these days?
