VoIP - the way to go?
We have recently upgraded our office telephone system to be fully VoIP based, and after a few teething problems, it works great!
Initially, we were using HomePlug adapters to connect phones (fantastic SNOM 360s) to the ethernet network where there wasn’t a handy CAT5 connection. When we were trialing the system, we found call quality was far from acceptable, with constant breaking up. We knew bandwidth wasn’t the issue, and we were pretty sure we had configured everything else correctly. In the end, it turned out to be the HomePlug adapters - remove these and use the normal CAT5 connection, and it all works fine.
So, what are the benefits? Well, it’s cheap for local and national calls, and even mobiles, but not really so much cheaper that it pays for the investment in phones. No, the real benefit is that we can run a virtual PBX to configure call routing, service status announcements, call diversion, forwarding etc all via a web browser interface. People can also logon from home and it’s as though they are in the office (not that we do this regularly!).
We have got rid of our expensive Alcatel phone system (complete with annual maintenance agreement) and now run all of our telephony via a VoIP. We have kept some analogue lines in case of any outages, but the initial signs are that the VoIP system is definitely the way to go!
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