| Thus, different office telephone services offer different | | | | voice and data over Internet Protocol based networks. |
| facilities. You can choose the one that suits you the | | | | Also known as IP Telephony, Broadband Telephony or |
| best. A detailed research should be done to make an | | | | Voice over Broadband. Companies that provide VoIP |
| informed choice. | | | | services are referred to as VoIP Providers and all |
| Communication to humans is a unique feature; made | | | | come with their uniqueness in terms of service plan. |
| simpler with the introduction of technological tools such | | | | VoIP’s unique services: |
| as telephone services which enable an organization | | | | 1. Cheaper service plan than conventional telephone. |
| serve its communication needs and largely influence its | | | | 2. VoIP calls are place-able to any location at flat |
| level of success. | | | | monthly rates. |
| Therefore the Virtual Office is another modern | | | | 3. The same internet connection for both data and |
| communication tool that enables users keep in touch | | | | voice communication thereby removing the extra |
| with the business world and reduce both human and | | | | charges except per minute fees for long distance calls. |
| material cost. It helps small and work at home | | | | 4. Transmits more than one call simultaneously using |
| businesses compete with the big organizations by | | | | the same broadband connected telephone line. |
| making use of the same tools that are available to | | | | 5. Includes Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) |
| them. | | | | attributes in its service pack. Such as: 3- way calling, |
| Virtual Office features: | | | | call forwarding, automatic redial and caller I.D all without |
| 1. The provision of distinct telephone numbers | | | | extra charges. |
| answered in the company’s name and | | | | 6. VoIP phones provides video conversation/ message, |
| introduced by a receptionist. | | | | audio conferencing, chatting etc. |
| 2. Calls are sent to company’s voicemail and | | | | Types of VoIP Calls: |
| with faxes, forwarded to company’s e-mail. | | | | 1. PC - to- PC calls, headphone inclusive (VoIP to VoIP |
| 3. voicemail storage facilities usually accessible 24/7 | | | | calls) 2. PC — to- Phone calls ( PSTN network |
| with a remote setup retrieval system by company. | | | | to VoIP). |
| 4. Provision of virtual address for business documents. | | | | PBX and Centrex |
| 5. Automated call handling that helps screen calls. | | | | PBX is another tool in an information savvy world like |
| Especially when screening prospective employees. | | | | ours. It refers to Private Branch Exchange, a private |
| 6. 4-15 separately recorded messages that are | | | | telephone network usually within an organization |
| accessible by callers giving out designated messages | | | | serving the internal information needs of the firm. For |
| as required by caller ( Virtual Office Notice Board). | | | | most large and medium scale firms, PBX is inevitable. It |
| 7. Meeting rooms on rental basis for business contacts | | | | helps reduce costs and time due to its usage of only |
| between clients. | | | | 3-4 digits in dialing links. |
| VoIP | | | | Centrex means Central Office Exchange. Its the same |
| Modern telephone systems thrives on Virtual | | | | as PBX but with connectivity from a local telephone |
| communication due to its speed and convenience, | | | | office (provider). The service provider owns and |
| hence the introduction of VoIP. VoIP refers to the | | | | manages all communication gadgets that are required |
| Voice over Internet Protocol. It is the transmission of | | | | for Centrex. |