Pure IP and VoIP

What are some of the reasons I might choose a 'Pure IP' Telephone System?

A 'Pure IP' system uses 'Internet Protocol' ('computer' communications software) for it's main operations - unlike 'traditional' systems which use the old 'circuit switched' technology. All telecommunications industry hardware is moving to this technology as it enables the continuation of existing strong trends - the integration of telephony with Computer networks. The ability to use 'VoIP' 'outside' lines to take advantage of cheaper phone call and rental costs is a major advantage in 'future-proofing' your system. Some 'Pure IP' systems do also allow you to continue with the use of 'traditional' 'outside' lines like 'PSTN' and 'ISDN' so you can make the transition to VoIP lines at your own pace. There are many potential advantages of using a 'Pure IP' system - including:

'Remote Extensions' - excellent for 'home' or 'branch' offices, can even save you on office rent by using some for 'remote workers'. Ensure that your remote extensions retain full system feature functionality - including seamless Free 'internal' and 'outside' transferred calls.
'Multiple Site Linking' - branches can be 'networked' together, and systems with 'distributed architecture' can also incorporate branches' own 'outside' lines for local outgoing calls. Again - seamless Free 'internal' and 'outside' transferred calls, plus 'centralised control' of all systems if required.
'Unified Messaging' - have integrated Voice Mail and Email, you can choose how you retrieve them.
'Web Page Assistance' - User friendly 'Extension Setting' changes, dynamic 'User Guides' and 'Administrator' system management which saves on paying a Technician's time - all available through embedded Web Pages.
'Data Base Integration' - makes for easy dialling from your existing data base like a 'CRM' (Customer Relationship Management) application with a simple mouse-click, or a 'screen-pop' on your computer with the incoming callers' details.

Are all 'Pure IP' telephone systems pretty much the same?

The answer here has to be a categorical 'NO'! There are many different branded systems available, and many of the manufacturers come from different backgrounds - some having considerable previous experience with the more 'traditional' Telephone Systems, whilst others come from a 'Computer' background. Some of the latter's systems do not always provide required commonly available 'telephone' features that customers take for granted and need, and this can impact on your day-to day operations and create unnecessary frustrations. Some systems will only allow for the use of 'VoIP' outside lines, whereas many businesses still want to use some of their existing 'traditional' outside lines like 'PSTN' and 'ISDN' until they (or their broadband service) are ready to fully embrace 'VoIP'. If you believe that you may utilise one or more 'Remote' extensions, do ensure the system you choose has 'full functionality' on these extensions, as many do not, which can then limit the usefulness of same.

What is 'VoIP' (Voice over Internet Protocol)?

'VoIP' is different from 'traditional' telephony in that this technology uses a 'Computer Network' - usually the Internet, for making and receiving phone calls. VoIP converts the voice signal from your phone into 'digital' signals ('data packets') at one end, sends it over the internet, and then converts it at the other end back to 'voice' signals. The most commonly used type of 'VoIP' is called 'SIP' ('Session Initiation Protocol'), which allows you to use the VoIP technology to ring any phone number, the major advantage here being that the party you are calling does not also need to have 'VoIP' at their end in order for you to use it. When you use 'SIP' VoIP (outside/trunk) lines there are some significant telephone call and line rental savings achievable. VoIP technology can also be utilised in many other different ways - enabling 'Remote' extensions of your office phone system for 'home' or 'Branch' offices, seamlessly 'linking' multiple branches (making for free 'internal' calls between them). This technology is the definite way of the future in telephony, as the two major technologies used in business - Telephones and Computers continue to 'merge'.

9 Easy Steps to Choose your next Telephone System