It seems as though VoIP technology has become almost synonymous with modern business, but are VoIP phones all that some are making them out to be, or do traditional phone systems still have a place in modern business?
VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) systems allow users to make and receive phone calls via their standard broadband connection from their phone or computer via their VoIP handset.
The demand for VoIP technology has increased dramatically thanks to its ability to negate the requirement for conventional telephones and telephone lines, functioning instead through broadband connections. This functionality results in much improved audio quality and substantially reduced call charges.
As with any technological system, the higher the quality of equipment you use, the better the system will function. A standard VoIP system will require a computer with broadband internet, speakers and a microphone. For convenience and to improve call quality, however, a headset with built in microphone is also recommended.
Presently all VoIP systems suffer from reliability issues due to the fact that they all use standard broadband connections. As we all know, these connections are prone to faults which can result in the broadband system being out of action for anything from a few minutes to several hours
Making emergency calls through a VoIP system can also be an issue due to the need to route any emergency call through a nearby call centre along with the difficulty in geographically locating network users. There are systems that combat this problem, however, such as those from VoIPDito.
VoIP security is also an issue which is still to be fully resolved. Although it is easier to implement security through VoIP phones, most consumer VoIP systems do not yet support encryption and as such it is possible to eavesdrop on certain VoIP calls. There are, however, a number of systems now on the market which employ encryption systems such as SRTP (used by Skype) to prevent any security breaches.
So there you have it. Although there are still some issues with VoIP technology, they are small in comparison to the benefits. And given the speed at which technology improves, it will surely just be a matter of time until each and every business installs a VoIP phone system and standard phone systems become a thing of the past.
VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) systems allow users to make and receive phone calls via their standard broadband connection from their phone or computer via their VoIP handset.
The demand for VoIP technology has increased dramatically thanks to its ability to negate the requirement for conventional telephones and telephone lines, functioning instead through broadband connections. This functionality results in much improved audio quality and substantially reduced call charges.
As with any technological system, the higher the quality of equipment you use, the better the system will function. A standard VoIP system will require a computer with broadband internet, speakers and a microphone. For convenience and to improve call quality, however, a headset with built in microphone is also recommended.
Presently all VoIP systems suffer from reliability issues due to the fact that they all use standard broadband connections. As we all know, these connections are prone to faults which can result in the broadband system being out of action for anything from a few minutes to several hours
Making emergency calls through a VoIP system can also be an issue due to the need to route any emergency call through a nearby call centre along with the difficulty in geographically locating network users. There are systems that combat this problem, however, such as those from VoIPDito.
VoIP security is also an issue which is still to be fully resolved. Although it is easier to implement security through VoIP phones, most consumer VoIP systems do not yet support encryption and as such it is possible to eavesdrop on certain VoIP calls. There are, however, a number of systems now on the market which employ encryption systems such as SRTP (used by Skype) to prevent any security breaches.
So there you have it. Although there are still some issues with VoIP technology, they are small in comparison to the benefits. And given the speed at which technology improves, it will surely just be a matter of time until each and every business installs a VoIP phone system and standard phone systems become a thing of the past.
About the Author:
Saul writes regularly about Voip systems and technology for his website which can be found here business telephone system previous examples of his research and writing can be found here business voip
