Business VOIP

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) can be used with a computer (that meets minimum requirements), a high-speed internet connection, and a headset. For some business and personal use, this meets the needs of the user. For others, a handheld phone device is needed to meet the needs of the user, there are several types of phones available.

Reasons a hand held device would be needed:

• Mobility-conduct personal and business calls away from computer
• Portability-phone can be taken anywhere there is a high speed internet connection (with the portable adapter) to use the same as if at home or in the office
• Convenience-traditional phone dialing on hand held phones
• Flexibility-duel mode has capability of delivering mobile VoIP

Types of telephones that can connect to VoIP are generic IP phones and soft phones. A generic phone looks like a traditional landline phone. It connects directly to the computer. It has a keypad like a traditional phone. The soft phones provide features to make it convenient to make calls from a PC.

Generic VoIP phones will have an Ethernet connection and the following traditional capabilities:

• Hold
• 3-way calling
• Voice messaging
• Speaker phone
• Mute

Soft phones are available with an increasing number of features. They can be basic with the minimum features or with features like pullout “drawers” on each side that provides screens for additional information access. Some of the features that are available:

• Do not disturb option
• Drop down menus
• Side pullouts with screens
• Call recording
• Call forwarding
• Direct interface
• Real time access
• Microsoft Outlook/Web access integration
• Lotus Notes/Web access integration
• View size options
• Customization

Duel capability VoIP phones have mobile phone capabilities. Landline phone users are diminishing, as mobile phones users increase. Often a mobile phone is the only phone many users have. VoIP phones see the trend and they are responding with increased mobile phone capabilities and features.

For some who need dependable phone service due to health issues that require 911 services or for any other reason, Voip may not be the ideal solution because a power outage or an internet connection interruption will interfere with 911 phoning capabilities. A secondary way to request assistance should be available. VoIP can still be the right choice for a primary phone that saves money and has so many capabilities.