VoIP is a telephony term for a set of facilities for managing the delivery of voice information using Internet Protocol (IP) and is the future of communication.
Here we will look at changes that are coming that will increase what is already substantial growth in the industry.
With Voice over IP — businesses have the ability to manage calls at the IP layer which enables operational and productivity benefits that have never been available before at such affordable price.
Worldwide revenues from Internet voice technologies are expected to grow from about $13 billion in 2002 to nearly $200 billion by 2007.
The Future Of VoIP Projected Growth
When it comes to VoIP technology already available long-distance phone calls, conferencing, e-mail, and other communications are now affordable and flexible.
VoIP technology however is developing and some of the developments that will ensure the future of VoIP are outlined below
The Future Of VoIP SIP
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) retrieves server responses and handles client requests.
This technology is able to determine the end system that will be used for a communication session, automatically sets the relevant parameters of the communication at receiver and user ends and then manages call transfer and call termination.
In addition, SIP allows users to initiate and receive communication from any location and networks are also able to identify users, wherever they are.
This technology is an alternative to H.323, which is the protocol, used for IP videoconference transmissions for VoIP up to now.
SIP has taken VoIP technology forward in terms of operational efficiency and many VoIP vendors are now including SIP as standard, bringing SIP to a growing audience.
VoIP The Future – VoIP Gateways
Another influential element in the future of Internet-telephony is improvements VoIP gateways.
Gateways are developing from PC-based platforms to more robust embedded systems, which will be able to handle an increased amount of call traffic.
The economies of scale of placing all traffic- data, voice, and video-over an IP-based network is highly attractive to corporate users.
The reason for this is:
IP will act as a unifying agent, regardless of the actual underlying architecture (i.e., leased lines, frame relay, or ATM) of a companies network.
VoIP The Future – Corporate Intranets & Commercial Extranets
Currently, the most promising areas of development for VoIP are corporate intranets and commercial extranets.
Their IP-based infrastructures enable operators to control who can use a network.
Commercial extranets, based on conservatively engineered IP networks, will deliver VoIP and facsimile over Internet protocol (FAXoIP) services to the general public, by guaranteeing specific parameters, such as packet delay, packet jitter, and service interop.
Companies are already looking to remove fax traffic off the PSTN and relocate it on to the Internet and corporate Intranet, through FAXoIP gateways and via IP-capable fax machines.
Video conferencing
Another area of growth will be video conferencing.
Video conferencing (H.323) with data collaboration (T.120) will become a popular method for corporate communications in the future, as network performance and interoperability increase.
VoIP The Future Expanding Services & Lower Cost
More user-friendly devices and increased promotions are starting to be seen by wider audience and this education, combined with ease of use of VoIP technology is needed for any new technology to gain trust and grow.
For instance, new VoIP telephones are being offered at cheaper prices in a variety of colours, with touch screens that are getting easier to use.
Prices in all VoIP services will continue to drop, as the market grows and competitivness increases.
The future of VoIP as a major communication method over the coming years is therefore assured. VoIP Telecommunications are here to stay.
By: Sacha Tarkovsky
Posts Tagged ‘Operational Efficiency’
VOIP Technology in Call Centers
December 12th, 2009
To those who may be less familiar, call center technology consists of automated phone systems capable of answering incoming phone calls and performing outbound autodialing. A call center is a group of telephone agents who receive incoming calls and/or make outgoing calls. Software applications usually associated with calls centers are CRM (Customer Relationship Management) programs.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is a call center technology that allows call center to make and receive calls using the Internet instead of traditional phone lines. As a matter of fact, today, many call centers deploy VOIP technology in a bid to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency as also employ remote call center agents. Businesses worldwide have built VOIP into their call centers, because of the scalability, and VOIP enables call centers to adapt and grow along with business and technology needs.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology has come to stay. It has made steady progress in replacing traditional telephone lines in most businesses and even in homes. It is the technology of the future as more and more people are enamored of the features of VOIP technology and the concomitant benefits. For many businesses, reduced cost is perhaps the most compelling reason to adopt VOIP in the office. VOIP allows organizations to set up core operations in their main office, while operatingat many locations across the globe.
Ordinarily, a VOIP is a virtual communication warehouse for marketing, and to a lesser extent, customer relationship management (CRM) functions. Using software on your workstations along with a broadband Internet connection can result in significant savings on operational costs. The telephone communications through the Internet allows the VOIP staff to initiate and respond to any number of simultaneous telemarketing calls, phone orders, and customer inquiries. Essentially, a VOIP centralizes telemarketing, ordering and customer service functions for various manufacturing and service companies.
There are two different choices – one is to make your current equipment -enabled. The other is to build up a new system through a separate gateway. But there are greater gains in having VOIP technology native to your existing system. You can use your current equipment by adding a VOIP interface board or similar bridging device to your current system configuration. There are many manufacturers who offer these products.
While exercising this option, buy a product that is certified and capable of easy integration with your existing equipments. Please remember the vendor’s commitment to developing VOIP solutions for you is important. If you find it difficult, hire a professional consultant, who has already handled multiple VOIP deployments, to guide you through your project.
Since all telephone functions of are computerized, and since the Internet is by far more capable of handling multiple phone transmissions than a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a call center need not be unduly bothered about overburdened telephone lines. This is a huge advantage. A number of opportunities are presented once you have your call center on the VOIP technology.
By: Cyril Bird
