What Is VoIP?VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol
VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol allows businesses to make telephone calls across traditional computer networks, at a lower cost and complementing traditional telephone systems in a very efficient way.
Integration
VoIP can be used in local office networks or between remote sites, enabling integration call handling with other areas of business, such as the website. Using DSL or broadband, VoIP can also deliver telephone services to remote and home workers. Besides "Voice over IP", you may also come across the terms "Internet Telephony", "IP Telephony" and "Voice over Broadband".
Cheaper Calls
The main advantage of VoIP is cheaper telephone calls. VoIP offers the key advantage of being able to combine phone calls with business data, allowing you to implement call centre style technology with each incoming call triggering onscreen pop ups with customer details. Alternatively, you can add a "Click to call" button on your corporate website.
Who uses it?
When you consider the number of hours an average employee spends a year on the telephone, it's easy to see why VoIP is attracting a lot of attention. Many large corporations, from banks to retail, are using VoIP for voice calls. Local estate agent Bentons, here in Devon, are installing Voice over IP in their branch network. UK sandwich retailer, Prêt A Manger, has already installed VoIP to communicate between shops, estimating it will save them as much as £10,000 a month.
As the cost of broadband declines, VoIP is now within the reach of the small business owner. Many telecoms companies and Internet Service Providers are now starting to offer Voice over IP deals, specifically targeted at the SME's.
You may already be using it!
Many major phone companies are already using VoIP technology to transmit international calls. It is estimated that up to 75% of international calls will be carried over the Internet by the end of 2007. In fact, if you already take advantage of a cheap, long distance telephone service, you're probably using IP telephony already without realising it.
Benefits
For any business, the immediate benefits can be:
- Reduced rate or free internal calls
- Simplified network infrastructure
- Scalability
- Reduced operational expense
- Improved productivity
- Wireless compatibility
- Enhanced customer support
- Dependable call monitoring
- Flexibility and growth
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