Navigation

Voice over IP

We have many years of experience in using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).

What is VoIP?

VoIP is a method of carrying telephone conversations over a data network. Instead of each handset being individually wired back to the system control unit all of the components plug into the network, a Local Area Network (LAN) covering a building or a Wide Area Network (WAN) covering multiple sites across the globe. So it doesn't matter if your Telephone system is in Manchester and your phone is in Southampton.

What are the benefits?

VoIP can link extensions to a phone system for remote offices and home workers, it can link telephone systems in different offices, and with the roll-out of new networks such as BT's 21st Century Network (21CN) it will be able to link users and offices to Public Networks.

IP is the protocol used by the Internet and by business computer networks. Instead of having two sockets by each desk you need only have one. The phone plugs into the wall socket and the computer plugs into a second socket on the back of the phone.

Alternatively you can do without a telephone altogether and use a screen-based IP Softphone with a headset plugged into the PC. With the PC controlling the phone you can integrate it into your business systems, automating the dialling process.

Outworkers and remote offices link into both your computer and telephone systems using a single IP connection, and get all of the facilities they would have if office based, including displays and indicator lamps on the phone and access to head office facilities such as voicemail.

Moving people around your office is simple. Just pick up the PC and phone and plug them in at the new location. All of the features are retained.

What are the pitfalls?

An uneducated foray into VoIP can prove costly. While IT Managers may understand Data, Voice brings a whole new array of issues. Network congestion simply slows down data. Voice can stop altogether. A 3 second delay in downloading a file is immaterial, a 3 second delay in speech makes it unusable. End to End network performance is critical to voice and we will be happy to advise on requirements.

What's needed?

As ever, the answer is "it depends". IP phones on a LAN are simple. You need a phone system equipped for IP extensions, some IP phones (or IP softphones running on PC's) and a LAN. IP phones require power, which can be provided locally using a mains adapter, or more commonly over the LAN using Power over Ethernet (PoE).

For a WAN you will additionally need a Virtual Private Network (VPN) linking the sites.

Outworkers will generally link in using some form of Broadband circuit.

Here's an example of how it can be done, in this case using the KXNCS8100 Soft Phone