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VoIP Hard Phones vs Softphones: What’s the difference and Which is Better?

VoIP has become commonplace in recent times, both in business and as a personal communications tool. The benefits are such that it becomes a no-brainer for both individuals and businesses to move to VoIP, principally because of the reductions in long-distance comms costs.

Cordless home systems based on DECT technology, with a core unit attached to the PSTN, and satellite units communicating over wireless had been around for some time before VoIP.  They were similar to VoIP systems but lacked versatility and features in comparison with the later true IP based systems.

Recently, the use of WiFi as a primary network topology, coupled with mobile technology, has become more and more common.

As a result, one of the considerations when planning a VoIP environment is the type of handsets needed. The handset type will depend to a large extent on the network environment and the type of anticipated usage.

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How can SIP Trunking Benefit Your Business

Most businesses, small and large, now use VoIP technologies as the core of their Unified Communications strategy.  The benefits, financial, operational and to their business profile are undeniable, making VoIP a no brainer.

Within VoIP, there are several options that an organisation can choose to improve the quality of service.  Among these are SIP Trunks.

SIP Trunks replace the physical connections provided by traditional communications suppliers.  Simply put, a SIP Trunk is the digital equivalent of the conventional physical link. It is usually called a data circuit.  It supports voice, data, streaming media and video services, the basis of a business Unified Communications environment.Continue reading

Fixed VoIP and Non-Fixed VoIP: Know the difference

VoIP has become commonplace in the commercial and personal world in recent times.   Businesses, large and small, have taken to VoIP because of the cost and business benefits it brings.   Simply put, it avoids the costs associated with PSTN connections by routing communications over the Internet.  This allows VoIP service providers to bundle in other features such as free or low-cost long-distance and international calls.

In addition to providing on-premises VoIP calls, the digital format of VoIP provides connectivity for WiFi-enabled smart devices such as smartphones and tablets.  Remote and home working have increased significantly because of the Covid epidemic, and VoIP over public and private WiFi networks and VPN connections are rapidly becoming the norm.Continue reading

What is Conference Bridge Calling and How to Use it?

The increasing use of VoIP systems and the current anti-Covid measures have brought video-conferencing to everyone’s attention. Most VoIP systems, both local and hosted support it, and there are specialised video-conferencing software applications that deliver sophisticated solutions, particularly for the larger multi-site and multi-country organisations.

However, conferencing does not always need video, and on occasion, video is not possible because of technical limitations. Indeed, phone conferencing solutions were available before video conferencing became common and economically and technically feasible.

Call conferencing is made possible by a bit of technology called a conference bridge, which creates a virtual conference room. Participants then dial into the conference room using their phone, landline or cellular. The call can be either voice-only or voice plus video. Some offer screen sharing and other collaboration options. This approach is adopted by both analogue and VoIP systems.

At the outset, non-VoIP conferences were limited to small numbers of participants, usually three. Most conference systems allowing lots of participants are an add-on to the basic phone system and are usually very expensive.Continue reading

5 Ways to Improve Customer Service With Call Recording Data

5 Ways to Improve Customer Service With Call Recording Data

VoIP systems are now common in many large and small businesses. For most, it is a no brainer because of the cost benefits in moving long-distance and international calls to the Internet, but many are now using the other benefits of a VoIP system to improve the quality of service they provide to their customers.

It used to be limited to large businesses only, but Cloud PBX systems now allow small business to take advantage of the features of a VoIP PBX.

One of the main advantages is to enable even the smallest businesses to use their Cloud PBX to establish a call centre to improve customer interaction and to develop new business. In the past, they were seen as a liability, but are now seen as a means of delivering revenue to the business by converting prospective customers to customers and helping customer retention. After all, it has been determined it costs eight times as much to gain a new customer as to retain an existing one.Continue reading

How to Switch to Cloud PBX Efficiently and Effectively

Calling a business is the first point of contact between the business and the outside world.  This first impression must be a good one.  Most callers nowadays expect a response, and a failed call is not an acceptable outcome.  Additionally, most callers expect to be able to use a variety of communications methods, traditional PSTN calls, internet access to a call centre and digital interfaces over specialised applications and social media.

The advent of digital PBX solutions has allowed all businesses to move to digital telephony as part of a unified communications strategy meeting these requirements. Cost savings, improvements in business profile and increased customer service levels are some of the major benefits of a digital PBX environment.

Switching to a Cloud PBX is a programme that involves both technology and people.   Doing it efficiently and effectively requires careful consideration of both elements.Continue reading

7 Reasons Why Many Businesses are Choosing Cloud PBX

One of the major benefits of the digital revolution for business has been the emergence of computer-based PBX systems offering advanced features. in the past, these were limited to larger companies but the emergence of cloud-based technologies has seen the emergence of the Cloud PBX which allows small companies the benefits of voice over IP but at a vastly reduced cost.

Here are 7 benefits which will come to a business if they implement a Cloud PBX solution:Continue reading

How Does Eavesdropping Exploit Affect Your VoIP Phone

How Does Eavesdropping Exploit Affect Your VoIP Phone

Business and home users have taken to VoIP like ducks to water. To both, it offers cost savings and convenience. To businesses, it provides the opportunity to use advanced communications features over and above the traditional land-line POTS solution. Rolling out toll-free International calling and video-conferencing, providing advanced call management to customer support centres and improving their overall business profile is now achievable and a modest and controllable cost.

Originally needing big iron, small businesses can run a virtual PBX on a dedicated desktop PC and take advantage of those new offerings.

However, as with all digital advances, security comes into play and VoIP Security is no exception.Continue reading

Microsoft 365 Business Voice: What is it and How it can help you

Microsoft 365 Business Voice: What is it and How it can help you

Most, if not all businesses use some form of Business VoIP.  

Simply put, it is the transfer of the business internal and external voice communications to a digital platform.  Business VoIP can be part of a larger digital Unified Communications environment comprising VoIP, video-conferencing and Social Media.

A Unified Communications implementation ranges from full-blown onsite hardware and software implementations to outsourced managed solutions to virtual software running on a single PC server. Continue reading

4 Ways AI and VoIP Can Improve Business Collaboration

4 Ways AI and VoIP Can Improve Business Collaboration

The widespread adoption of Business VoIP is well underway.  The benefits, both financially and in improving the quality of customer service make it a no-brainer.   Another aspect of the current digital revolution is the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (”AI”) to automate routine manual tasks.

What if the two could be brought together?  AI is touted as the way of the future and is finding its way into many business areas, not just IT.   

Here are four ways in which Business VoIP and AI could work together to the benefit of the business.Continue reading