The Best VoIP Phones for Businesses

VoIP phones are telephones that utilize voice over internet protocol technology to place and receive phone calls over an IP network, including the Internet. VoIP is an acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol, an internet technology that enables voice communication to be made over a broadband connection. VoIP works well with internet-based applications such as email, web conferencing, video conferencing, and other computer-based applications.

A VoIP phone system can incorporate features such as voicemail, conferencing, call forwarding, advanced call management, call transferring, auto attendant, music on hold and more. A VoIP phone system usually consists of a basic modem, a processor that runs VoIP software, an operating system, and a collection of software, hardware, and accessories. A broadband Internet connection is essential to use a VoIP phone system. A high-speed Internet connection makes it easy to place VoIP calls. VoIP phones are usually placed by individuals at their own computers, though some businesses may use a third party’s VoIP phones, also referred to as digital phone systems.

Some businesses have opted to go with a VoIP platform instead of purchasing and maintaining dedicated VoIP phones. These businesses typically require additional functions that cannot be provided by a standard voip phones. In addition to those features, businesses may want to customize their own software to function as their primary telephone system, and to integrate with other services, such as remote service, application and business applications, conferencing and other softwares. Businesses that choosing a VoIP platform to implement their phone system found that purchasing and maintaining their own VoIP phones was not only less costly, but also provided better functionality than using a VoIP software solution.

Softphones are another alternative to using VoIP phones and system.

These IP telephones can be used in applications where an in-house telephony solution would be ineffective or simply not available. Softphones works much like a walkie-talkie, however they do not require the same monthly maintenance fees and monthly security fees that full VoIP phone system charges. Softphones are very popular among small and medium-sized businesses, especially those whose revenue comes primarily through mobile phone use. Softphones can be used in applications where voice over internet protocol technology is not feasible, such as video conferencing.

Another alternative to using a regular telephone system is using an IP PBX.

IP PBX (International Telephone Number Environment) is a phone system that interconnects with a public switched telephone network (PSTN). This allows individuals and companies to route calls to any compatible gateway, instead of using their own IP addresses. This feature is particularly useful for call center functions, which often require calls to multiple locations. Calls can also be directed to specific employees in a work group, depending on availability.

The benefits of using IP phones as opposed to conventional phones are many. One of the most noticeable benefits is caller id, which is similar to the numerical address number used in traditional telephony. Caller ID is a feature provided by most VoIP phones and is usually displayed as an option when buying the device. However, some VoIP phones to provide this feature for free, while others require users to purchase caller id software. Some IP phones also allow users to block certain numbers from being called, for security purposes.

Another advantage of using an IP phone rather than a traditional telephone is the improved quality of call customer service. Traditional phones based on the VoIP technology generally have less features and significantly lower speeds. Furthermore, there is no connection to a fax machine, voice mail or internet connection, which makes it difficult to send or receive calls on a regular basis. However, all IP phones offer standard phone-based customer service, including long distance, local and toll-free numbers.

To take advantage of all the benefits of an IP phone system, it is necessary to choose among the various types of VoIP phones available today.

• Most VoIP softphones are based on the Microsoft Windows CE operating system.
• In addition to the regular features of a regular telephone, the latest softphones also have special features, including SIP trunking and SIP verification protocols.
• This allows for expanded use of a single VoIP system, including allowing different branches of a business to communicate with each other if necessary.