Posts Tagged ‘Telephony’

Telephony At Large: Voip And Packet8

December 20th, 2009

Telephony is the technology that is behind making calls from the computer. There are several services that offer this type of technology that can easily be implemented on your own home computer. Two of them that are very comparable when it comes to price as well as service are VoIP and Packet8. Both of these companies are relatively new, as is the technology that allows calls to be made all over the world to landlines, cell phones and other computers all from the use of the internet. Technological Advantages VoIP. com is a company that has been offering the voice over internet protocol the longest. They have several packages from which to choose and you can get high speed internet as well as the option to be able to make calls from your computer. When you have VoIP, you can use the computer to make calls either with your keyboard or a speaker. You can also use a cell phone to run through the computer and make calls all over the world using the VoIP technology. Packet8 is a relatively new service that costs a bit less than VoIP. com when it comes to monthly fees. Both VoIP and Packet8 are services that allow you to make unlimited numbers of calls from your computer, without having to worry about paying extra for the calls. Both VoIP and Packet8 include all of the calls in with the package. No matter where you call, there is no extra charge for using these services. Technological Disadvantages Both Packet8 and VoIP. com are not as secure as a land line. This is something that many people do not understand when they are using this type of service. Nor are they as reliable as a land line and they are both subject to power outages. Whereas a telephone land line is connected through a separate cable and will work even if the power is out, the VoIP services will not. Both Packet8 and VoIP have complaints regarding the information being choppy when transmitted, but this is not unusual when it comes to this type of technology. Packet8 will give discounts to those who experience significant interruptions of service. Those who use Packet8 and VoIP voice the same concerns over security as well as choppy transmission of data. There is also the concern for security as eavesdropping is not only far more prevalent in VoIP services, but the laws are ambiguous when it comes to prosecuting eavesdroppers. When you are using either VoIP or Packet8, you should be sure not to discuss some information that may be very private. For the most part, however, the chances of your conversation being picked up by someone that you know are very remote. Many people who have VoIP. com, for example, say that they had more trouble when they had a cordless landline when it came to overhearing other conversations. Anyone who wants to make calls all over the world using the computer can take advantage of the comparable services between VoIP. com and Packet8 – two of the best voice over internet protocol telephony companies operating today.

VoIP : Simply a Superb Technology

December 13th, 2009

Revolutionising the system of voice communication, VoIP has emerged as a smooth and cheap way of telephony now. It is a technology that allows you to make international calls at a much lower rate in comparison to the other traditional means of communication. In order to avail the benefits of this technology, all you need to have is a PC, an Internet connection and a few other minor accessories.

Apart from making calls at a lower rate, you can do a number of other things with VoIP. It will facilitate you to build an in-house phone network for your office. You can even create a world-wide network with your distant business partners. This technology can further be used to stay connected with others while on the move. It will necessitate proper equipment like a mobile satellite Internet connection.

Another great thing about VoIP technology is that you can make and receive phone calls through it, without disturbing your normal Internet browsing. Most of the networks that use this technology ensure that all incoming phone calls come automatically to your phone through the computer which you are using, no matter where you are. This means you will not miss personal calls at work and you will not miss business calls at home.

Like any other technology, VoIP also has its share of disadvantages. It can cause you a headache if you do not have a good set up. Another disadvantage that many users report is that they experience “echo” when making and receiving calls. However, experts say much of this problem depends upon the user.

Another potential disadvantage is that there can be a slight lag at the beginning of the conversation. The last problem that VoIP users may face is that it operates through the Internet. This means that if you get out of Internet service for power-cut or any other reason, you will not have phone access until the service is restored. Minus all these minor issues, VoIP can be a superb means of communication.

Simple Strategies for VoIP Implementation

November 18th, 2009

/>Business managers and owners are looking at new ways to stay ahead of the game. Current ads promise that IP Telephony is the answer to many of today’s business dilemmas. While technology can be used to enhance a business model, technology for technology sake is never the answer. If it has been determined that IP Telephony is one of the tools to boost productivity and customer service; there are ways to purchase that technology.



Years ago, many businesses utilized Centrex lines to reduce large capital expenditures for telephone equipment. This meant that the business kept no main telephone equipment on site, it simply “rented” lines and telephones for each of their phone locations. The goal was to enhance features while reducing cost. However, the opposite became true when new and less expensive competitors were able to compete with the local phone companies. A company that was in business for 10+ years could have easily purchased a phone system of their own a couple times over. Today, the phone company and other IP service providers are offering the next generation of this concept – - Hosted IP or IP Centrex.



The hosted IP/IP Centrex services do offer some very nice benefits including very little or no capital outlay for new phones and features, plus a highly flexible disaster recovery plan for incoming communication.



Some questions that should be asked before instituting a contract for Hosted IP/IP Centrex are as follows: 1.Are the additional features going to enhance business practices? 2.Can the provider effectively deliver 9-1-1 calls? 3.If the goal is monthly payments rather than a large capital purchase – is there a lease option or other type of solution that would provide equity when the term is attained? 4.Is the IP Centrex vendor going to be able to service the contract until completion? Remember that even though a vendor may be new to this type of service, if they have proven to stand by other service roll-outs it may not be a huge risk. 5.Are there short term contracts available? Try to obtain a contract that has a business downturn clause that will allow a reduction of lines so payment is not required for phones no longer need. 6.Is there an installation fee? And if so will this fee combined with the monthly payments exceed a new system purchase?



Many people in the business community today utilize digital telephone systems by a variety of manufacturers. Some manufacturers such as CISCO, 3-Com or Interactive Intelligence only offer IP Telephony. However, others such as NEC, Inter-Tel, Toshiba, Avaya, etc. offer a combination of both digital and IP Telephony or all of one or the other. There are inherent differences between the two technologies. Digital Technology 1.Uses cables that are separate from the computer system. 2.Does not have to run on CAT5 or CAT6 cable. 3.Typically has a telephone cabinet with a processor and separate circuit boards for connection of lines and phones. 4.Very reliable



IP Technology 1.Can run on the same cable as the computer. 2.Must be connected to a minimum of a CAT5 cable even if it does not share with the computer on the desk. 3.Stores system software on a server, in a router or in a traditional telephone cabinet. 4.Competes with bandwidth on the data network.



IP Telephony has benefits that are great for some companies and irrelevant for others. 1.Ability to connect remote workers using a cable modem, DSL line or other high speed internet connection. 2.Customized call routing based upon inbound caller identification, status ID for callers (known as presence). 3.Advanced custom applications. Attendance and student record review in a school district, database integration for car dealership sales and service departments, inventory control and updates for manufacturing companies. 4.Desk to Desk video at a very inexpensive rate. 5.One network to maintain.



While there are benefits to this technology, there are also things to watch out and prepare for (This is just a partial list). *Now that the phone system is part of the data system it is vulnerable to viruses and other spy-ware threats. *Warranty times are generally far less traditional phone systems so the on-going maintenance costs may start 90 days following installation. *IP phones require power at each phone – either by a local power outlet or data switch equipped with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability. *Quality of Service (QoS) is vital to prioritize voice over data calls. *IP phone have more stringent distance limitations. *A ten year life cycle cannot be anticipated. *Analog lines (plain old telephone lines) and analog phones, fax, modems, etc. are often challenging and costly to connect to a full IP system. *Data cable (minimum CAT5 rating) must be available at each phone location. *The environment must be conducive to the IP equipment. Certain manufacturing floors require refrigerated and sealed cabinets for their PC’s. The same would be required for an IP phone set. *Internal support departments may need to be structured. If there are separate support groups for voice and data they may need to be combined or one eliminated. This assessment is extremely important to the success of an IP Telephony project. Do not overlook this important aspect before making a purchasing decision. Uneducated decisions are recipes for disaster in any project. Don’t rush into a change of this magnitude. Take the time to assess the business functions, the existing network infrastructure and support groups, and make sure the environment and resources are in place this type of change.




By: Julie Drake Of Jewel Technology Services, Inc.