Voice over Ip

Summary:

Voice over internet protocol is the new era of telecommunication. It offers a simple yet innovative telecommunication platform which transmits voice over a data network. It converts the signal digitally and sends it by data packets through the internet. In recent years, VoIP is rapidly gaining market share and replacing conventional method for both home and business use.

The resource chosen focus on the benefits of VoIP for corporate business. VoIP provides business an opportunity to streamline telecommunication system into a single infrastructure while reducing the total cost. VoIP users enjoy increased productivity, greater flexibility, easier accessibility to information and more advanced functionality at an economical rate.

Importance to the business:

Reduce telecommunication cost: several factors results in the lower cost of VoIP, such as lower startup cost as business VoIP do not require initial investment in expensive equipment (Verkasalo, 2006); a single unified communicator is cheaper to maintain compared with multiple telecommunication systems (George, 2010); lower local or international calls rates; or fixed price unlimited plans (Verkasalo, 2006).

Greater flexibility (highly flexible business model): VoIP services enable greater flexibility that is not possible with conventional system. Users can access VoIP anywhere as long as there is internet access, such as hotel room or internet café which is crucial for today's mobile workforce (Alexander, 2005).

Integrated infrastructure: A single VoIP device can be used for all kinds of communication, user can access email, voice call, messages, faxes, even access project date (such as CRM database) from a single network. In addition, voice mail, faxes and all other messages can be sent to user's email account (Alexander, 2005).

Advanced Functionalities: Users can enjoy sophisticated