Business VoIP Buyers Guide

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Business VoIP Buyer's
Guide
Thinking of upgrading to a VoIP System for your business? Get the facts!

A buyer's guide for businesses interested in the features and services of a VoIP system, and how to go about purchasing a system.
By: Jenny Hollingworth

Business VoIP Buyer's Guide
Business VoIP Buyer's Guide
What is VoIP? VoIP is a business phone system which allows you to make phone calls using your Broadband Internet connection. VoIP stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol". The system is also referred to as Voice over IP, Broadband phone, Internet phone service and Digital Voice, amongst others. The only thing you need to use VoIP is a Broadband, high-speed internet connection. Once you install VoIP, your employees can call anyone, anywhere, whether the receiver has VoIP or not. In general, business VoIP is a cheaper alternative to a traditional phone system, as well as offering additional features. How does VoIP work? VoIP sends voice information in digital data packets over the internet. Traditional phone systems use the circuit transmissions provided by the public switched telephone network (PSTN). By using the internet, VoIP avoids the fees charged by the ordinary telephone service. Any business with an established computer system already using high-speed internet access, such as Broadband, can install VoIP right away. What are the key advantages of VoIP? By using VoIP you can significantly reduce your telephony costs. There are two ways in which any VoIP business phone system can save you significant amounts of money: 1. You no longer have to pay for a traditional phone line: if your office is already using broadband for all its computing needs, you can use broadband for all your telephone needs too. 2. The calls you make will be significantly cheaper, regardless of distance because they travel over the internet rather than the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). VoIP also enables you to integrate all of your communications, including telephone, email, fax, instant messaging and video, even across different locations, for improved efficiency and a professional public image. Additional advantages of VoIP depend on the type of service you choose, but include many features not available with a traditional phone system. Early VoIP technology
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Business VoIP Buyer's Guide
When VoIP was first introduced in the mid-1990s, there were initial problems with delay and echoes on the line, and the use of public networks made it difficult to guarantee quality of service. Today these issues are largely avoidable if the user has effective hardware, a strong internet connection and a knowledgeable VoIP provider operating a private network. The many benefits of VoIP and its rapidly growing customer base make it certain to become the main telephone system of the future. Typical VoIP Features There are several VoIP vendors in today's market, with VoIP offerings that vary from one provider to another. However, most VoIP systems offer the following: ? Unlimited calls: you can make unlimited local and long-distance calls from any phone extension, for a fixed fee ? Toll free numbers: pay your VoIP provider a fixed rate option and your customers can call you from anywhere in the US for no extra charge ? Emergency numbers: your VoIP provider will direct emergency calls to the local Public Safety Answering Point, in the same way as a traditional phone system routes them. (If you dial 911, your system will automatically give the address of your business premises. If you are travelling with your VoIP phone, you will need to update your location with this service.) ? Call directory assistance ? Block calls ? Send faxes: you can send analog faxes over your VoIP phone, or have an additional VoIP line installed for this purpose. Accompanying features usually include: ? Conference calls: you can talk with two parties simultaneously, at no extra cost ? Caller ID: you can see who is calling before you pick up the phone ? Call forwarding: automatically forwards incoming calls either to another number or to voicemail (or both) ? Call logs: you can detail calls by extension or account ? Call employees in other branch... [download for more]