IP TELEPHONY

IP telephony (also known as Voice over IP or VoIP) enables voice communication over Internet Protocol (IP) networks.  It unifies an organisations many locations - including mobile workers - into a single converged network.  It promises cost savings by combining voice and data on one network that can be centrally maintained.  More importantly, it brings advanced features and applications that enhance productivity throughout the organisation.  A fewVoIP features such as voicemail and call transfer have been around in the analogue world for quite some time.  On the other hand, integrating data, voice and video applications to run over a single network and work with wireless phones are more recent innovations made possible by IP telephony.

The converged strategy presents an opportunity not possible with separated computer, telephony and video networks.  Companies moving towards convergence can realign staffing resources to create a more flexible, agile and supportive organisation.  This action alone begins to foster a collaborative spirit across the companies enterprise.  Former computer data network support personnel can now share job related tasks.  Former telephony personnel can now help convert their traditional telecommunications infrastructure into a computer network based telephony system.  Cross training will be needed and desired, and managers of these data, telephony and video systems can unify under the banner of convergence.