Is VoIP for my Small Business?

July 12, 2010 by Arthur Miller

A simple, but complex question I get from a lot of small business owners and IT staff is, “is VoIP for my small business.”

Those of us in the industry might think that this question is a definitive, “Yes.” But for you – the small business – it’s not always that easy.

After all you’ve likely got a zillion other things to worry about.

Still VoIP is consistently in the media and millions of other businesses have made the switch making it a popular talking point. (more…)

Skype’s Move to the Desktop (IP Phone)

July 9, 2010 by Garrett Smith

A few weeks ago Tom Keating over at TMCNet did a write up on how the Grandstream GXV3140 multimedia phone will soon be supporting Skype. If you’re unfamiliar with the Grandstream GXV3140 it’s a next generation multimedia phone that offers both voice and video calling in addition to a host of other advanced features.

While this Skype integration isn’t officially available to the general public, the move by Skype to allow multimedia phone manufacturer’s (like Grandstream) to embed Skype functionality into their offerings is a logical one. A strong signal that Skype wishes to be more than just an afterthought when it comes to business communications.

After all most folks in the business world are still apprehensive that Skype can function as their primary communications medium.

But with handset manufacturers desperate to preserve high price points, robust multimedia phones will continue to hit the market. Today every major handset manufacturer has a multimedia phone offering and you’d be hard pressed to think that partnering with Skype isn’t on their roadmap at somepoint.

Perhaps an even bigger driver than multimedia capable handsets for Skype is the growing demand for video conferencing solutions. Given that current video conferencing offerings are limited in many respects by price and complexity, having the convenience and low cost of Skype paired with your normal VoIP service could be a boon for manufacturers (and Skype).

Regardless of the drivers and despite a fully functional public release, there is no doubt that Skype’s move to the desktop IP phone has the potential to be very disruptive. Something they’ve proven time and time again to very good at.

Selecting a USB Phone

by Christina Smith

There are 42 million active Skype users in the world and 15 million users using Skype at any given moment. So it is natural that you want to use Skype too. Whether it is to keep up with the Jones’s, speak regularly with someone who is far away, or just get rid of your landline telephone charges, softphones, such as Skype, are growing by leaps and bounds every day.

When deciding to sign up for a Skype account (or using another softphone client), you must have a speaker and a microphone attached to your computer. When I first signed up, I assumed my netbook had these things, but in fact it only had a speaker, so I could hear people but they couldn’t hear me. My first two weeks on Skype I only used it for its Instant Message capability for that reason. Then I got the FreeTalk USB Skype headset so I was able to speak and be heard again (regardless of what anyone said, they missed not hearing me!)

If you plan to be an infrequent softphone user, one or two calls a day, you may choose to simply invest in a USB headset similar to the FreeTalk Everyman that I use. It is a simple plug and play binaural headset with a rotating boom microphone. The sound is clear, the headset is pretty comfortable, and it is only $29.99. Perfect.

However, if you plan on using your softphone or Skype to replace your normal landline or office phone, you may be interested in a USB phone with a more familiar interface and a few more features. (more…)

Open Source PBX Comparisons

by Garrett Smith

So if you have been following my previous posts on open source software and hardware requirements, you are well aware that you have many options to choose from when choosing to go with an open sourced based PBX for your solution. Since one of its core features is…well…unlimited possibilities, you have many areas to consider, most of which we have already covered in the software and hardware requirements posts. Heck we have even compared open-sourced solutions to commercial based VoIP solutions so you have a good understanding of the differences between the two.

The last area we need to cover is the available options you have when purchasing an open-sourced based IP PBX. This includes hardware options and add-ons as well as software options.

If you are one of those readers that were very intrigued about my post on necessary hardware requirements needed to operate a phone system, and wish to build your own server, then stop reading, and start building. If you were one of those people that understand which hardware requirements are needed for your solution but don’t wish to build your own, well then, this is your post.

Below, we will discuss a few options you have when purchasing a pre-installed fully tested open-sourced based IP PBX server. (more…)

Killing Skype

July 7, 2010 by Garrett Smith

There’s been a bit of buzz created by TechCrunch’s leaking of a Google Voice desktop app built from the Gizmo platform last week.

Most of the buzz has been driven by speculation as if or when the desktop app will be released. Many have proclaimed this to be a move that would put Google Voice in direct competition with Skype.

Some have even gone so far as to suggest that this Google Voice desktop app might be a Skype killer or at the very least become a heavy competitor.

The reality is that killing Skype or even putting a sizable dent in their business won’t be easy for Google Voice even with a desktop app. Here’s why:

No motivation to switch – The majority of Skype users use Skype for things like Skype-to-Skype calls, video chat, collaboration and cheap international calling. While the new Google Voice app might eventually mimic these features, why would a Skype user switch? Google Voice must come out with something that will motivate current Skype users to switch. Oh and don’t talk about the free number – I’m sure Skype could hand out the same thing.
Poor Track Record – Google has a poor track record of success outside of their core business of search and advertising. The likelihood of them successfully mashing two companies (GrandCentral and Gizmo5) together underneath one roof and taking out the market leader is very slim – no matter how much money they have.
Privacy Issues – Sure Google Voice is free and serves a purpose, but at some point people will eventually become wary of the amount of data they are freely giving to Google (who is selling this to advertisers). It is only a matter of time before folks realize that in many cases Google is just as bad as Facebook is when it comes to sharing data with third parties.
Business Model – At some point Google Voice will need to make direct revenues or act as a channel that creates indirect revenues (I.E. monetized by advertising). Right now Google Voice is popular, but it’s free. How many would pay $5 – $10 a month for it? I’m not sure. Plus ad supported calling has proven time and time again to be a failed business model. Now money could be made selling minutes (outbound), however that is increasingly difficult to do.

In the end a Google Voice desktop app will certainly broaden the appeal and usage of the service. But it doesn’t appear to offer anything more than what can already be found with Skype (and others).

It’s simply not a game changer, not enough to kill Skype and likely won’t put much of a dent in their business.

Benefits of Wireless VoIP

by Joe Shanahan

Most people have grown accustomed to having mobile communications through the use of a cellular phone. For many, the next logical progression is to find a way to have that same luxury but at a cheaper cost.

That’s where wireless VoIP comes into play via WiFi phones, which require a wireless access point, and DECT phones, which utilize a base station with a direct internet connection and a wireless handset.

Both of these methods of wireless VoIP have their advantages depending on the application required. Let’s take a closer look at each of them. (more…)

IP Enabling Your Analog Paging System

June 30, 2010 by Darren Hartman

Traditional zoned paging systems are proprietary, inflexible and not easily managed. Oh and they don’t exactly play well with your new IP PBX.

Now, you could replace your zoned paging system with IP paging system, but that requires additional budget and time that you’d more than likely save. However there is IP paging equipment that provides for flexible zoning, and enhanced speaker capabilities that does not require you to throw out your existing investment.

Enter the IP paging gateway! A relatively simple device, the IP Paging gateway is similar in form an function to a VoIP adapter or VoIP gateway.

Using an IP paging gateway

An IP paging gateway is simple to set-up. Using the Ethernet port on the IP paging gateway you connect the gateway to your switch. Once the IP paging gateway has an IP address, you can use the web based configuration to set-up the basic settings. You then connect your existing zone controller to the FXO port on the gateway

It is very simple install and makes a clean solution. See the below diagram for a typical for setting up a multiple zone conversion.

Don’t have paging? Maybe you should

Having an efficient paging system is not a top priority for most top management teams. But a properly installed system allows you to quickly communicate with your mobile workers and lessen hold times for internal and external calls.

Also being able to designate a particular zone for a page helps employees realize that they need to pay attention to that message. A great way to make the work flow smoother and your customers will benefit too.

Commercial and Proprietary PBX Systems

by Garrett Smith

In our first segment, we spoke mainly of the benefits of using an open source based VoIP solution as compared to the commercial applications and even proprietary applications.

Obviously open source has its pros, but like my previous post stated, it’s not for everyone. Companies and Businesses that are new to VoIP may opt out of an open-source based solution for a commercial or proprietary for a number of reasons.

In my mind, the biggest benefit you see from commercial VoIP solution is that it is a complete solution that is fully documented and usually comes with some type of technical support or support option. With commercialized solutions, it’s a more complete solution where features such as unified messaging, integration with data applications, and full-blown functionality including call recording, reporting, fully customizable IVR’s, and much more have been fully tested and are very easily setup and administered.

Now I am not saying you don’t get all of these features with open-sourced solutions because this is not true. You do get most of these features but it does take more work “under the hood” and through the Asterisk CLI to incorporate some of this functionality and if you are new to VoIP or not technically inclined to make these changes, the solution could get very frustrating for you and your business.

Below, we will detail out some of benefits and drawbacks to commercial VoIP solutions as they are compared to open-sourced solutions. (more…)

Video Conferencing Deployment Checklist

June 23, 2010 by Joe Shanahan

In today’s world, more and more businesses and organizations of all types and sizes are utilizing video conferencing to conduct meetings that in the past could only be held in person. Video conferencing can be advantageous in many different ways, and countless new systems are being deployed every day as the technology continues to grow in popularity.

However, before people go out and purchase all the equipment they need to deploy a system, they need to consider several factors which will help guide them in their purchasing decision. Listed below are some important aspects of any video conferencing project that need to be considered prior to installation.

(more…)

Leveraging Existing Handsets With a VoIP Gateway

by Brian Hyrek

If you are reading this you have probably concluded that VoIP would be the most efficient way of communication for your business.

However you may find that the cost associated with migrating to VoIP to be more than you bargained for. Perhaps you have recently made a substantial investment in analog telephones or maybe you users like their existing analog phones and fear “losing” them.

In either case you definitely don’t want to throw away your brand new analog phones if you deploy a VoIP Phone system.

Well I’m happy to tell you that you don’t have to! All you need is an FXS VoIP gateway.

(more…)

Is VoIP for my Small Business?

Skype’s Move to the Desktop (IP Phone)

Selecting a USB Phone

Open Source PBX Comparisons

Killing Skype

Benefits of Wireless VoIP

IP Enabling Your Analog Paging System

Using an IP paging gateway

Don’t have paging? Maybe you should

Commercial and Proprietary PBX Systems

Video Conferencing Deployment Checklist

Leveraging Existing Handsets With a VoIP Gateway

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