Thursday 1 May 2014

Different Forms of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

VoIP can reduce
the cost of calls
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a method of making phone calls over the internet, meaning it is much cheaper than ordinary landlines such as you might have with BT. Savings of up to 50% are possible.
 
In a household environment the most common form of VoIP is Skype, but for a business you need a more robust and expandable solution.
 
Broadly speaking, there are two methods of installing VoIP for businesses – PBX and iPBX. The main difference is that a PBX means getting your own equipment whereas an iPBX can be delivered as a cloud computing solution.
 
The provider of an iPBX system will normally supply and maintain all the equipment you need, such as handsets. In return for this, the cost of calls – the tariff – is more expensive.
 
With a PBX you own the equipment and are usually responsible for its maintenance, but in return for this the cost of calls is much less. We installed a PBX system for South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce in June 2010 and within 18 months the cost of buying the equipment had been recovered in savings from the cost of calls.
 
But with a PBX system the business does have to be able to buy the equipment, which can be a large initial capital outlay.
 
So an iPBX has less initial capital outlay but more expensive on-going call charges. Another disadvantage of an iPBX is that because it uses the cloud, it needs a solid, robust, stable internet connection. If the connection went down, the ability to make calls would go with it. Alternatives can be set up more easily with a PBX system to ensure continuity in the event of a disaster, but with an iPBX a leased line might be needed, which might offset any call savings. 
 
As ever, talk to a reputable IT Support company if you are interested in a VoIP system for your business.