DALLAS, Sept. 28, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- A new technology called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), or Internet calling, is set to become as mainstream and essential for business viability and efficiency as e-mail communication has in the past decade.
By using Voice over IP, it's possible to make local or long distance telephone voice calls over the Internet without going through a traditional landline telephone company. There are many different Internet calling options, ranging from using microphones plugged directly into the computer to regular phone handsets connected via broadband that work the same as traditional landline phones but cost significantly less.
"For the past several years, VoIP has been one in a number of confusing acronyms describing technologies and services that sound intimidating but could ultimately be time- and money-savers for small businesses," said Russell Morgan, president of ITSPA. "Internet calling has the potential to drastically improve the quality of business calls, and small businesses are perfectly positioned to take advantage of this new technology from the start."
Many small business owners don't know what VoIP is, how it works or where to start. A recent study revealed that 87 percent of Americans cannot define VoIP, according to Harris Interactive, and 30 percent believe that VoIP is either a hybrid automobile from Europe or a low-carbohydrate vodka. However, of those who are familiar with VoIP, forty-six percent say they would likely switch to the technology from traditional land lines, according to the National Consumers League (NCL), and a study by Gartner Research indicated that annual shipments of IP phones will more than double in the next four years fueled by an increase in business use.
The newest VoIP technology is commonly referred to as a softphone and is a downloadable software program that allows users to make calls from any personal computer (PC) or Internet-connected device, according to CNet. Most programs are free and headsets cost approximately $45, making it easy for small businesses to try the technology without a large investment. Some examples of softphones are Microsoft Communicator, CounterPoint and Skype.
"The sound quality of phone calls hasn't changed much in the last 75 years, but using a PC with a softphone has the potential to revolutionize business calling by offering twice the fidelity, or sound quality, of regular calls," said Joe Gruber, Digital Office Group for Intel, which supplies components used in VoIP. "Unlike traditional telephone calls, PCs with softphones have the capability to transmit a broader range of sounds, and the result is dramatic: conference calling and international calling services that actually sound as though each participant is in the room with you."
VoIP has now established itself as the next wave of phone service, and businesses are taking advantage of the low calling rates, clear reception and technology integration opportunities that aren't available with traditional landline calling services. As with any Internet-based technology, it is important to establish a security program including passwords, firewalls and protected networks to ensure that VoIP calls and your standard Internet service are protected from unauthorized users and uncontrolled access.
Tips for Getting Started: Here is a quick guide from ITSPA to setting up VoIP services:
1. Evaluate your needs. Take stock of your calling habits including how many hours your business spends on the phone over a given time period, how many of the calls are long-distance or international, and what kinds of work functions the callers are performing while on the phone. A small call center or retailer will have significantly different needs than a construction company or an insurance office. It's important to know which features will be most beneficial to your business and how much bandwidth you will require.
2. Choose a provider. A few years ago there were only a few companies providing VoIP services. Now there are many to choose from with a variety of calling plans and configuration options. Smaller start-up providers may have lower rates, but choosing a more established company may increase service reliability.
3. Establish a plan. With the competitive Internet calling market, most providers are offering very low rates and many encourage consumers to try the service during a trial period for even further reduced rates. Always ask to try the service before committing to a contracted calling plan.
4. Integrate your technology. A unique benefit of VoIP is the ability to integrate call databases, contact management tools and other business computer programs for improved efficiency. Make sure you work with your solution provider to take full advantage of the opportunities for computer system integration as well as cell phone service compatibility and Wi-Fi calling capabilities.
5. Monitor your service. As more carriers offer Internet calling, the competition will continue to drive quality. Communicate with your solution provider regularly to make sure you are working with the best VoIP service provider for your needs. For help finding a local solution provider who knows your business, contact ITSPA at findapartner@itspa.net.
About ITSPA:
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the Information Technology Solution Providers Alliance (ITSPA) is a national, nonprofit alliance serving as a reliable and credible resource for businesses hoping to take advantage of the benefits of new technology. ITSPA is dedicated to helping small and medium-size businesses adopt technology and grow by using local solution providers to solve business challenges.
The Information Technology Solution Providers Alliance logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1742