Saturday, July 21, 2012

The Pros and Cons of Traditional Phones Versus VoIP

By Steve Alexander


Changing to VoIP has many advantages, however there there are also plenty of key disadvantages associated with making the switch. We take a quick look at the pros and cons of web-based telephony to help you get your head around the technology before you invest.

From simple two-way telephone calls to multi-media conference calls, SIP is a set of rules which initiate communications. In fact Session Initiation Protocol is the driving technology behind Voice over Internet Protocol. The reason why SIP is so important is that is it helps a variety of services operate properly, such as instant messaging, VoIP and web page click-to-dial. It is also the primary initiator of all online voice communication mediums.

A business can save money with unified communications that integrate real-time communication services such as telephony and instant messaging. You'll be able to find a range of different web applications, and the amount of money you save depends on the kind of system you invest in.

Portability is one key advantage. You can use it anywhere you have a fast broadband connection because of an in-built address that's unique to your phone. Even if your service is based in London, you'll be able to make calls in Glasgow, although some exceptions do apply. In order to benefit from this, you don't even need a special phone. In order to log in anywhere you've got fast Wi-Fi access, some PC applications provide a web interface and it is a brilliant, cost-effective alternative to a mobile phone for anyone who travels a lot for business.

Aside from sound quality and compatibility, there are a few practical considerations you should make before you invest in web-based network management. It's an obvious point, but if you choose a computer system you'll only be able to use it when your PC is turned on. This means you won't be able to make or receive calls during a power failure.




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