Do Not Buy A New Business Phone System Without Voip Capability
It would be best to start with a brief description of the different types of VOIP systems available. Not all flavors are the same, and each carries their own benefits. VOIP tends to mean many things to many people, so lets make sure we are speaking the same language before starting. There are two main areas of VOIP to cover: VOIP Capable Telephone Systems: When we speak of a VOIP capable telephone system, we are directly referring to the ability of the phone system to use the Voice Over Internet Protocol language to carry your telephone conversations internally or between locations. We are not speaking of the ability to make your phones calls over a VOIP Telephone Service Provider as detailed above. Using VOIP internally allows you several benefits. There are numerous other benefits that VOIP systems provide over their more traditional TDM counterparts, but we limited mention to the main ones above. While TDM phone system options still remain a viable solution that is slightly more cost effective up front, we find that the projected TCO or Total Cost of Ownership is often less with a VOIP system due to the available feature set and production efficiency tools. For those companies that have only one location, telecom professionals will typically recommend a hybrid system. A hybrid system is a business telephone system based upon cost effective TDM technology, but that has the ability to add VOIP capability via a media gateway card. Although VOIP may not be a service priority to a company today, it is essential to make sure you have future capability should you choose to implement it at a later date.
Perhaps one of the last things companies consider when making a phone system purchase, but one they should probably consider a little more, is the phone system resell value. Since telecom professionals regularly assist their clients in the process of liquidating their old equipment, they are very much aware of what old equipment is worth. As with most aging electronics, there is minimal value that can be expected after five years, but a startling trend has been showing up in the past year. Systems without VOIP capability have next to no value. When companies attempt to liquidate systems as little as five years old, they often find they have no takers since the systems have no VOIP ability. The dramatic shift to VOIP has literally wiped out generations of used telephony product value, as there is literally no demand. There will always be some demand for used inventory for the major manufacturers such as NEC, Avaya, Cisco, Nortel, and Toshiba, but all others look to be extremely weak investments at this time. Although resale value should not be a major consideration when choosing which system to purchase, business owners should be aware that choosing a system with VOIP capability from a major manufacturer will virtually guarantee a reasonable resale value down the road. As always, we suggest you speak to your local telecom professional for assistance in choosing which system is right for you.
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Voip Solution- Just The Facts
VoIp (voice over Internet Protocol) is technology that lets you place telephone calls over the Internet or an IP network.
Today, when making an international phone calls you are probably being routed through IP infrastructure because of the lower costs of calls. VoIP phones use one of several competing communication standards to send their calls through a network.
The potential for VoIP phones use is nearly limitless. This presents VoIP solutions an incredible boost to business world and provides a cost effective choice of modern day telephone service.
There are many great digital features provided with VoIP services. Voicemail Caller ID, Conference Music-on-hold, Conference calls, Call Filtering, and Blocking. You also can receive voicemail to your email inbox, or web page. Most Voip services today allow you to select multiple new inbound area codes for your phone allowing you to create a assumed presence in other cities or provide a local calling number to friend and family members. When using a Broadband Internet connection, using a microphone and speakers, a conversation can take place similar to traditional telephone.
With your voice enabled programs, you can hook up a digital camera, web cam and use video, while you are speaking on your microphone and listening to your speakers, plus you can type back and forth with your chat program.
Another benefit to VoIP services is that you can usually keep your existing phone number, or select a new area code.
Reduced monthly costs on long distance calls offered by the Voip service provider can provide huge savings for businesses or families with relatives abroad. Savings are also seen with the elimination of the conventional telephone lines with it’s recurring charges.
Cheap long distance rates with virtually world wide coverage, plus the ability to take your phone number with you wherever you travel and have access to high speed service make VoIP services a perfect fit for businesses or families.
No additional connections are needed when using Softphone Technology, VoIP can be taken with you being mobil as you travel. VoIp Solutions offer great reliability in data transfer, simple to use, low cost, and outstanding flexibility.
When placing a call, just pick up the phone and dial a number. You have the option of transferring a call, placing a call on hold, or muting the microphone. The Softphone is good value for the money and has little competition in its price category.
Currently, telephone and Internet service provider companies are expanding to allow for VoIP phone services. Companies such as AOL, Verizon and Sprint have VoIP phone servive plans to choose from.
There are numerous VoIP phone plans available today that will allow you make unlimited long distance calls or provide you with a plan for very inexpensive phone rates. Many of the features that are often included for a fee with traditional phone service are often included for free with VoIP services such as: Call Waiting, Call Block, Call Forwarding, Conference Calling, Voice Mail.
A VoIP solution will also allow you to place calls to any phone number including landlines, cellphones, pagers, fax machines, other VoIP phones, etc.
Voice Over Internet Protocol continues to be the pioneer for future telecommunications standards. Enjoy all the benefits that a Voip Solution has to offer for your telecommuting needs.
Vonage, Verizon and Free Enterprise
So Verizon, Sprint/Nextel and other companies are claiming they own VOIP. I love Vonage, it is a great price and it is a lot better than Sprint/Nextel who has the worst customer service in history. Vonage forwards my phone calls for no extra charge, I have caller ID, Voicemail, etc. What’s the big idea? Verizon isn’t in my area! Sprint/Nextel has a big head and has fired thousands of their customers! Why did they do that. I use to be a customer until they tried to charge me for internet when I didn’t ask for it. One thing I hate about Vonage is that I can’t go everywhere. I have to check out the areas before I move so that I can keep them. It is great that they haven’t harassed me about paying my bill when I’ve got proof that I paid it! I have paid up my bill until Dec. of ‘08, which offered me a $5.00 discount. Can some of these other companies we’re talking about do this? They haven’t. Not even At&t has done this. At&t harasses you and doesn’t keep good record of your payments. I want to keep my Vonage, thank you! So, please, Sprint/ Nextel;Verizon and other companies, don’t sue. You only look bad when you sue your competition for lowering the cost of people’s phone bills and not harassing them. Get a grip! This is America and there is going to be competition. A little note to Verizon, if you were in my area, I might have considered you for phone services or even internet, but your not. I hate that these landlines and cable companies “own” the lines. I want a choice in who I choose in phone/internet providers. And to Vonage, I would make contracts with Comcast, Verizon, and some other High speed internet providers so that i won’t be limited to where I move. I love you, Vonage, and I don’t want to let you go! Keep up the good work!
What are some of the downsides of VoIP
VOIP, or voice over internet protocol, is becoming more popular by the day due to its low cost and convenience. The service uses broadband data lines including cable, DSL, and fiber rather than traditional copper phone lines. In layman’s terms, it’s making calls over the internet using your computer.
However, current limitations of VOIP prevent it from becoming a full replacement for traditional landline or cell phone service. But first, let’s take a look at the benefits of VOIP phone service.
Upsides to Voice Over Internet Protocol
First and foremost, VOIP’s claim to fame is cheap, unlimited calling. While no VOIP service is totally free, you can make calls through the internet anywhere between 50-90 percent less than traditional phone service depending on the provider. And calling isn’t limited to local numbers, either; you can dial national and even international numbers (depending on the provider) for free on an unlimited basis.
You will never receive a telephone bill. You will have to pay a monthly or annual fee, but that’s all there is to it. No confusing phone bills, no surprises. It’s a great way to preserve those pricey, expensive minutes on your cell phone. But perhaps the best way to describe how to assess the quality of any given VOIP service is to provide an actual user’s experience with a popular VOIP provider.
VOIP Limitations
Here’s what you need to know about VOIP. The new technology has three significant limitations: 1) temporary loss of service with a power outage; 2) you may not be able to port your current phone number to your new VOIP provider; and 3) choppy sound when your computer is performing a memory-intensive task such as uploading a video to YouTube.
To ensure you’re getting the VOIP service that’s right for you, follow these guidelines:
1) Does the service offer phone number portability (can you use your current phone number)?
2) Is the phone service that much cheaper than traditional or cell phone service?
3) Will you get unlimited local, national, and in some cases, international calling?
4) How is the sound quality? Is there too much static on the line? Does the sound become choppy when you’re performing a memory-intensive task on your computer?
5) Will you receive all-inclusive features including call waiting, caller ID, and voicemail?
6) Does the service have a workaround in case the electricity goes out? For example, Vonage will forward your calls to your cell or traditional phone.
In my experience with VOIP phone service providers, I’ve found that it is not a replacement for traditional line or cell phone service. It is, however, great if you’re wanting to cut down on those pricey cell phone minutes using VOIP’s unlimited local and long-distance calling.
