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By Alex Pierson
IP is the packet protocol of choice for voice because it already dominates the overall volume of users’ wide area network traffic. Service providers and large businesses were quick to take advantage of this efficiency and became early VoIP adopters. For example, many service providers are now replacing their TDM switches with VoIP.
Integrated voice and data solutions make it possible for even a small company to turn its network into a powerful communications tool and reap the full benefits of the Internet age. A converged solution enables SMBs to:
• Lower the cost of ownership by consolidating onto a single communications system;
• Manage telephone systems from remote locations;
• Share centralized voice and data applications with remote offices;
• Establish one central phone number and implement skills-based routing that will intelligently route customer calls to the appropriate employee, department or office;
• Avoid long-distance telephone charges by sending faxes and routing telephone calls over the data network instead of the public phone network;
• Increase employee productivity by taking advantage of unified messaging to allow all users to manage their voice, fax and e-mail messages from their PCs or laptops.
One of the fundamental shifts taking place in organizations today is how we communicate with each other and with customers. The telephone is often the first point of contact many customers have with a business. A good phone system should improve customer service, save time and money, increase productivity, minimize maintenance, and support revenue growth.
Small and medium businesses can reduce operating costs and increase profitability by implementing a flexible telephony solution. Capabilities such as automated attendant and voice messaging conserve resources and deliver considerable cost savings. Through the transformation of older networks to packet technology, businesses can reduce operational costs and network management, boost employee productivity and provide secure and reliable anytime, anywhere access outside of the office. In order to succeed in today's fast-paced environment, businesses must be able to respond to changes and make decisions quickly anywhere, anytime.
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