One way to do this is to route VoIP calls via the public Internet, however the call quality has the potential to be poor unless dedicated VoIP Internet services are used. Keeping voice and data separate is crucial to quality calls.

To ensure high quality VoIP calls must be routed via traditional phone networks. VoIP calls that circumvent phone networks incur no long distance charges. VoIP systems frequently include conference call support at no additional cost.

Since VoIP uses the same network and protocol as other Internet services, integrating telephones with, for example, e-mail becomes far simpler. A message might automatically play over an IP phone’s speaker, and the text of the message might then show on the phone’s screen. These systems can be integrated with text messaging and other notification avenues to provide reliable, effective communication.

As data networks become increasingly more reliable and high speed networks approach ubiquity, the move toward VoIP will continue. More and more institutions are finding that the switch makes sense, economically and technologically. VoIP will likely see greater integration with online services. VoIP is part of a larger trend toward converged communications, which promises expanded feature sets and increased reliability and effectiveness of enterprise communications. Phones will incorporate presence data (where are you now), allowing for highly relevant and targeted communications.

VoIP technology is a game changer! Unfortunately many businesses have been burnt by it. This is not because the technology is bad but because it has been purchased for the wrong reasons and or badly implemented.

Many companies have implemented robust computer networks that host a growing number of enterprise platforms. They understand the need to continually maintain and upgrade this infrastructure. At the same time, many enterprise phone systems are old and costly to maintain. IP Telephony or Unified Communications provides an opportunity to operate fully featured phone service on the existing network infrastructure. Along with efficiency and productivity savings, companies can benefit from additional features and integrated systems.

The PBX (Private Branch Exchange) technology that underlies traditional phone systems has reached its end-of-life stage. VoIP is a way to leverage IP technology for lower infrastructure costs, improved network efficiency, converged communications, productivity improvements and improved end-user features.
Unified communications is certainly moving to the front burner at most companies. According to the 2010 Nemertes benchmark, “Building the Virtual Workplace,” 79 of 100 enterprises interviewed were planning to deploy unified communications over the next two years.
Most of the building blocks of a unified – communications architecture are already in use at most companies. Ninety-six percent of benchmark participants report the use of at least one tool, such as audio, video, web conferencing, instant messaging or a presence application.
The challenge for many IT executives is to make the business case for unified communications. This can be tricky, because purported productivity benefits can be hard to quantify. However, business cases do exist. Companies see unified communications as a way to improve internal communications and increase productivity. There also is the potential for cost savings.
“Even the bottom line is feeling a positive impact: one business reported a 15 per cent increase in revenues as a result of unifying their communications. It’s no wonder that the majority of IT managers we talked to see it as crucial to growth.”
Mike Robinson, converged communications director at Dimension Data

Perhaps the biggest drawback of VoIP is that it is subject to the same limitations as other data network activity—the data network can be slow or overloaded, and this can degrade the quality of VoIP calls. When the quality and reliability of phone call are vital, the network infrastructure must be first rate.

In addition, regular upgrades and network maintenance will likely result in some amount of downtime for VoIP solutions. This can be a sticking point for businesses accustomed to virtually uninterrupted phone service.

Setting and managing expectations is an important part of a successful VoIP deployment. Any institution considering migrating to VoIP must carefully evaluate the many options to determine the point at which the benefits of VoIP outweigh the limitations. However, a highly decentralised IT environment would pose another layer of complexity for a VoIP line implementation.

Imagine you’ve just bought a brand new 50” Flat screen TV, digital, high definition – it’s the latest technology. In the shop the picture looked crystal clear. You get it home, take it out of that huge cardboard box and then connect it up. You start to get frustrated because the picture is fuzzy and breaking up – nothing like it was at the shop. After carefully reading the instruction manual you realise the problem is that 25-year-old rusty antenna on your roof. It’s good enough for the old TV but it just doesn’t cut it for digital.

What’s this got to do with VoIP? Glad you asked! Just like using a rusty old antenna with a brand new digital TV, many companies have tried to use the Internet for their VoIP. And just like that rusty old antenna, the Internet simply doesn’t cut it when it comes to VoIP for business use.

That’s where I come in. VoIP needs to be delivered properly. It’s like hooking up cable TV directly into your brand new 50” flat screen TV. You get perfect quality and a heap more features!