homeVOIP
Voice over IP, what is it?
Voice over IP, better known as VOIP is a communication method that transmits voice signals via Internet Protocols (IP). Ok, so what does that mean you ask? It is really about how your voice signal is carried on the back end and then on the front end with your phone. Let us see if we can break it down a bit.
Traditional Phone Systems
Traditionally businesses have had phones directly plugged into the wall, via a CAT 3 connection. These copper wires, ran back to a phone closet somewhere in your building where a phone system processed the connections and handled the routing of calls. If you need to change extensions or add a line, you had to call your phone vendor to come and perform the work. Not to mention the fact that if you needed to move the phone to a new office, it also needed to be serviced by your phone vendor first.
VOIP Phone Systems
On the other hand, VOIP phones connect via a cat 5 cable, and are assigned an IP address just like your computer and network printers. When they need to connect they communicate via your existing network infrastructure to your phone server. This server handles your calls and then routes them to the appropriate location. So you can pick up your phone, walk into a different office, plug it into the network, and start making calls. With just a tad bit more advanced setup, you could even take that phone home and place calls from your house using your home network.
Voice over IP: Backend
On the back end, some VOIP servers still use traditional copper wire backbones to place outbound calls. While others, like Vonage, use a data connections to handle their outbound calls. Their are pros and cons to both approaches. Using your data path general is cheaper and a better use of your existing network bandwidth. However, using a traditional copper backbone, allows for you to avoid potential downtime with Internet service or other setbacks. It really depends on the business and their current network environment.
Business VOIP
There are several reasons why businesses should consider using a VOIP phone system. Reduced cost, ease of maintenance, ease of deployment, longevity, and of course portability. Your Business VOIP solution should contribute to your overall business health in each of these areas. There are several different types of business VOIP phone systems to choose from. One one end you see the Cisco Call Manager solutions to the other end of the spectrum with open source asterisk solutions. Dynamic Quest can help you find the solution that is right for you and then it can help install, configure and support this ongoing solution for you.
Dynamic Quest & Business VOIP
Dynamic Quest has been installing & supporting VOIP solutions for the last 6 years. We have certified engineers in both Cisco VOIP equipment and Asterisk VOIP. Over the course of the past six years, Dynamic Quest has been able to install systems throughout the United States, and specifically in the North Carolina area. We have performed installations in Greensboro, Winston Salem, Raliegh, and Charollete NC, along with other cities in North Carolina. Call us today, or use the form on the right and let us help you along the way towards a VOIP solution.