Useful tErms aBout VoiP

What is VoIP: Useful Terms

Understanding the terms is a first step toward learning the potential of this technology:

• VoIP refers to a way to carry phone calls over an IP data network, whether on the Internet or your own internal network. A primary attraction of VoIP is its ability to help reduce expenses because telephone calls travel over the data network rather than the phone company's network.
• IP telephony encompasses the full suite of VoIP enabled services including the interconnection of phones for communications; related services such as billing and dialing plans; and basic features such as conferencing, transfer, forward, and hold. These services might previously have been provided by a PBX.
• IP communications includes business applications that enhance communications to enable features such as unified messaging, integrated contact centers, and rich-media conferencing with voice, data, and video.
• Unified communications takes IP communications a step further by using such technologies as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and presence along with mobility solutions to unify and simply all forms of communications, independent of location, time, or device. (Learn more about unified communications).

How Voip Helps yOu focUs on wHat mAtteRs : yOur bUsinEss :-

• Small business owners are discovering why VoIP hardware is such a powerful tool for maintaining a competitive edge. When you switch to an IP-based unified communications system, you'll find that you can increase productivity because you've combine and simplified your communication tools. You can secure your voice and data more strongly. And you can make it easier for your employees to maintain access to your network, whether at work or at home.
  • Why VoIP helps you cut costs
    • You'll spend less money on travel by using online conferencing, easy-to-use video calls, and other tools for better collaboration
    • You'll find that it's easy to add extra phone lines, because VoIP lets you send multiple phone calls across your IP network
  • Why VoIP helps you improve communication with customers and employees
    • Your employees will have more ways to stay connected
    • By using "presence" technology, you'll be able to see if your employees are available and how to get in touch with them
    • With unified communications, you'll see that it's easy to work remotely from any place with an Internet connection
  • VoIP lets you have many features without paying extra fees
    • Voicemail
    • Caller ID
    • conferencing
    • forwarding
    • Unlimited long distance
  So why buy VoIP hardware from Cisco? Because it gives you technology that's just your size. And with a unified communications system, you'll spend less time focusing on technology and more time focusing on what matters—your business.
  Get the VoIP technology from Cisco that is right for you.
  What is VoIP?
  
  

  The interesting thing about VoIP is that there is not just one way to place a call. There are three different "flavors" of VoIP service in common use today:

  • ATA -- The simplest and most common way is through the use of a device called an ATA (analog telephone adaptor). The ATA allows you to connect a standard phone to your computer or your Internet connection for use with VoIP. The ATA is an analog-to-digital converter. It takes the analog signal from your traditional phone and converts it into digital data for transmission over the Internet. Providers like Vonage and AT&T CallVantage are bundling ATAs free with their service. You simply crack the ATA out of the box, plug the cable from your phone that would normally go in the wall socket into the ATA, and you're ready to make VoIP calls. Some ATAs may ship with additional software that is loaded onto the host computer to configure it; but in any case, it's a very straightforward setup.
  • IP Phones -- These specialized phones look just like normal phones with a handset, cradle and buttons. But instead of having the standard RJ-11 phone connectors, IP phones have an RJ-45 Ethernet connector. IP phones connect directly to your router and have all the hardware and software necessary right onboard to handle the IP call. Wi-Fi phones allow subscribing callers to make VoIP calls from any Wi-Fi hot spot.
  • Computer-to-computer -- This is certainly the easiest way to use VoIP. You don't even have to pay for long-distance calls. There are several companies offering free or very low-cost software that you can use for this type of VoIP. All you need is the software, a microphone, speakers, a sound card and an Internet connection, preferably a fast one like you would get through a cable or DSL modem. Except for your normal monthly ISP fee, there is usually no charge for computer-to-computer calls, no matter the distance.

  If you're interested in trying VoIP, then you should check out some of the free VoIP software available on the Internet. You should be able to download and set it up in about three to five minutes. Get a friend to download the software, too, and you can start tinkering with VoIP to get a feel for how it works.

  
  
  
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