| Setting up a small business phone system has | | | | The biggest advantage for the use of VoIP is for |
| become a necessity for companies that wish to enjoy | | | | business with multiple locations where all offices with |
| continued success. Instead of investing in traditional | | | | LAN or WAN capability share the benefits of using |
| telephone systems, companies are moving towards | | | | just one telephone system. Most importantly, calls to |
| more advanced technology that offers increasing | | | | other locations within the network are free and can |
| benefits over it's predecessors. | | | | offset the cost of the initial set up. |
| These technological advances are giving small | | | | Also, employees on the road can phone into the |
| businesses the benefit of improved customer service | | | | network using a virtual private network which |
| and higher levels of productivity. Although the newer | | | | dramatically reduces the cost of other areas on the |
| systems can work out to be more expensive than | | | | company phone bills. These advantages also pass |
| their older cousins, the long-term benefits often make | | | | over to the small business, who can keep |
| up for the higher cost. All crucial factors to bear in mind | | | | communication at a completely internet and low-cost |
| when deciding where you want your business | | | | level as well. |
| telecommunications to take you in the future. | | | | VoIP can be set up independently and that may be a |
| VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol, spearheads the | | | | good solution for someone looking to integrate the |
| advances in this area and is fast becoming one of the | | | | system into a home office situation but even a small |
| most tried and tested technological developments | | | | business should really look towards taking on external |
| when small businesses look to employ new | | | | help. |
| communication systems. Instead of using circuit | | | | There are already many experts in this new dawn in |
| switched technology where a dedicated path is used | | | | telecommunication technology. These experts not only |
| for the entirety of a call, VoIP technology treats voices | | | | take care of the complicated installation procedure, but |
| as data that are sent as tiny parcels of information | | | | also offer friendly, informal advice as well as ongoing |
| over data networks. This information, or data, is then | | | | customer support and the provision of training |
| converted back to audio when it reaches its | | | | company personnel in how to use the VoIP system. |
| destination. | | | | Using experienced VoIP technicians should ensure a |
| There are several components needed when setting | | | | smooth, problem fee transition form your existing |
| up a VoIP system. A central device is required to | | | | system. Although self-installation is an effective cost |
| manage calls and data in much the same way as a | | | | cutting exercise, losing your phone lines for a week |
| conventional exchange unit works in regular telephone | | | | then having to hire a specialist will only cost more in the |
| systems. This can be a dedicated piece of hardware | | | | long run anyway! |
| that performs the function alone or as software | | | | The cost effective nature of VoIP is sure to see more |
| running from a specialised server. | | | | and more companies taking this new technology on |
| Also needed is a data network and, of course, | | | | board as conventional exchange systems become |
| telephones. | | | | more outdated. |