VoIP Advantages and Disadvantages
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, is a procedure and group of technologies for the transfer of multimedia sessions and voice communications over Internet Protocol networks, like the internet.
It has become a force to reckon with in the telecom sector with so many businesses and individuals saving significant amounts of time and resources by choosing this alternative to traditional telephones. While VoIP has its numerous benefits, it is also not free from a few cons. Here we will be looking at some of the most well-known advantages and disadvantages of using VoIP.
Advantages
- Portability Business VoIP services offer smooth access to a business’s phone system from any location, to all of its workers. Sometimes users may be present at home, at the client’s office, or in remote locations. VoIP allows such workers to utilize whatever device they have with the same work number, thereby protecting their privacy along with presenting a professional to all callers.
- Flexibility –A VoIP network offers a great degree of flexibility. With an internal or private phone network, you are restricted to how many phones can be added to the system by the number of lines available in the system. With the help of a VoIP network, you are restricted only by bandwidth, which means thousands of connections can be conceivably made.
- Accessibility –Location or distance makes no difference to a VoIP system, whether you are calling your head office on the other side of the country or trying to connect with someone living on the other side of the world. As long as you have a good internet connection, communication to nearly any location is possible.
- Improved productivity –VoIP provides many advanced features, such as digital faxing, visual voicemail, and group inboxes that improve overall productivity. For example, faxes can be sent the same way as emails, eliminating the need for the user to go down to the fax machine to receive or send a fax.
- Easy integration with other enterprise applications –Applications and software that share data have become more valued as compared to those that keep it sealed away. A lot of VoIP vendors are providing integration with enterprise applications like CRM software to make it simpler for workers to share and use data.
- Low cost –VoIP can help businesses and individuals greatly economize on cost. This happens since there exists only a single network carrying the data and voice offered by only one supplier. If you have a broadband internet connection (cable or DSL), you can make computer-to-computer phone calls anywhere in the world, free of charge. If you want to make a computer-to-phone connection, there is typically a fee for this but is probably much more reasonable than your regular phone service.
Such features also minimize the delay in responding to support requests, customer calls, or other similar inquiries. Voicemails from customers for the marketing department can be directed to a group inbox to be answered by any worker who is available at the time.
Disadvantages
- No service in case of a power outage –During a power shutdown a regular phone is still kept in service by the current supplied through the phone line. However, that is not the case with IP phones, which means whenever the power goes out, there is zero VoIP phone service. If you wish to continue using VoIP during a power shortage, a generator or UPS must be installed on the premise.
- Emergency calls –Another key concern with VoIP revolves around emergency calls to 911. Traditional devices can trackback your location. Emergency calls are averted to the nearest call center where the operator can check your location if you cannot talk. However, since VoIP is primarily a transmission of data between two IP addresses and not physical addresses, there is no way to check where your VoIP phone call is coming from. Even though a lot of companies are taking the appropriate action to offer emergency calls in their service, this problem remains a crucial deterrent against VoIP.
- Security –Security is a concern with VoIP as with other Internet technologies. The most prevalent security problems with VoIP are service and identity theft, malware and viruses, service denial, call tampering, spamming, and phishing attacks.
- Reliability –Since VoIP heavily relies on internet connectivity, your VoIP will be impacted by the reliability and quality of your broadband internet service and sometimes by the restrictions of your PC. Congestion and poor internet connections can cause distorted or garbled voice quality.
Despite its flaws, VoIP is a valuable tool that is helping businesses all over the world improve their efficiency and at the same time economize on costs and time. With time, most of the kinks will be worked out, and VoIP will receive prominent consumer acceptance.
Additional Resources
- ANSI TIA 606-B Cable Labeling Standards– creativesafetysupply.com
- How does 5S affect quality?– 5sforum.com
- What is a bollard?– bollardpostcovers.com
- Introduction to the 5S Method– leanworkplace.com