What is VoIP and Example?

Voice over Internet Protocol is becoming the next big thing as businesses continue to use the technology in the post-pandemic world. One of the biggest things about top VoIP services is the reliability and flexibility you get from them.

All of the other features make it a far better option than landline, and that too at reasonable pricing. With instant messaging and high quality in video calls, you can now communicate with your remote employees anywhere in the world.

VoIP services are integrated into your daily communications. For example, if you are using Skype or Facebook messenger to make a call, you are making use of the VoIP services. Now you might be wondering whether Zoom is a VoIP service or not? Let's find out but before that, let's find out if the VoIP is still in use?

Many people tend to think VoIP is already becoming a dated technology. That is not true as businesses and consumers rely heavily on it to communicate effectively with others and VoIP vendors are adding innovations, integrations, and tools to their systems regularly making VoIP the more modern choice in business communications. In general, VoIP offers the most benefits for business use. Part of these constant changes coming to VoIP technology aim to remove redundant services as well. 

It is because people are looking forward to more agile and robust mobile phone applications and solutions. Many enterprises IT architects install VoIP as a substitute for PBX or TDM phone systems.

As we are seeing a decrease in the use of traditional phones because of mobile phones in the last two decades, we are likely to see an increase in the usage of VoIP vs cell phone services for business. To summarize, we can say that VoIP is still in use and its usage by people is increasing rapidly.

However, its vision of an internet-based application is changing towards unified communications. It will help bring updates and innovations to the system to keep it alive among the business and the consumers. So what exactly does a VoIP do and what are its examples?

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is a technology through which you can make voice or video calls. It uses the internet connection rather than the analog or conventional telephone to place the call.

You can use your computer, mobile, and tablet to hold a conference, make long-distance and international calls using the VoIP service. The best part is, you won't be incurring hefty charges like the traditional telephone. VoIP providers also offer number porting, which is a feature that enables you to get started on VoIP with your old phone and keep your existing phone number you've established with business contacts and colleagues. 

When it comes to VoIP systems and phones, there are different types of both these things. You can choose any type of phone or service you need as per your requirements.

Let's have a look at some of the types of VoIP phones:

• Phone Systems with IP Telephony

One of the common phone systems for VoIP services is the IP phone system. The best thing about this phone is that you won't be incurring any extra costs when making long-distance calls. VoIP can be used for landline calls as well as mobile.

The IP phone system will give a strong connection among the two sets of users that can communicate without any issues. In addition, you can also enjoy numerous benefits, like call recording, call forwarding, do not disturb, etc.

• Phone Systems for Home 

Many homeowners are now also switching to the VoIP service from the traditional landline. It is because of the exceptional features that come along with the VoIP home phone systems. Since working from home is also becoming a new phenomenon, it can help people connect with other employees.

You can use its services of call forwarding, routing, and much more.

• Phone Systems for Businesses

One of the beneficiaries of the VoIP systems is businesses. It helps companies reduce down their costs while giving better quality and a class of service better than a telephone. VoIP is easy to implement as there are no special routers or hardware needed in most implementations. That is why; there is a special VoIP phone system that is designed to cater to the needs of the businesses.

During the covid-19 pandemic, VoIP services and applications helped us in coordination with other people. A good VoIP system will provide all the features, tools, and security necessary to run all business communications efficiently.

As per a report by Gartner, 65% of remote employees took advantage of the VoIP service and software for audio conferences.

Apart from different types of phones, there are different kinds of VoIP systems as well. Each system has unique features. Here are a few of them:

• Self-Hosted VoIP

Self-hosted VoIP systems are ideal for businesses operating on a large scale. This system needs self-management and configuration. The complexity and the technicalities of the Self-Hosted VoIP also mandate proper maintenance from time to time.

Therefore, companies with an IT department will be better off incorporating it into their system. The companies will also need to have a PSTN gateway to convert analog signals into digital signals.

The system will then deliver those signals over the internet to the receiver. In addition to that, the companies will also need to have a private network branching that will direct the calls to other phones within the system.

The VoIP Self-Hosted system is a bit costly. However, it is still less expensive than landline phones which makes it ideal for large-scale businesses.

• Hosted VoIP

As opposed to Self-Hosted VoIP, you are not responsible for the installation and maintenance of the Hosted VoIP system. A third-party provider is responsible for the management of the call delivery and the entire installation process. Therefore, it frees you to focus on other critical aspects of your company.

The service provider manages all the calls by directing the relevant calls to your business. As a result, it ensures that the calls have an uptime of 100%. Although the system is more costly than Self-Hosted VoIP, it can be extremely helpful in bolstering business efficiency.

• Application Solutions

One of the most easy-to-use and least expensive systems is application solutions. A prime example of the application solutions is Skype which enables businesses to make video or voice calls globally.

Services such as Skype and slack are free to use. Therefore, it makes them an ideal choice for small businesses, freelancers, or startups. Moreover, they offer the same flexibility as other VoIP systems, as you can use Skype on your phone, desktop, or tablet. As a result, VoIP is often seen as a better option than landlines for conducting meaningful business meetings and making connections. 

However, businesses operating at a large scale or looking to expand should incorporate the Self-Hosted or Hosted systems. It will give them more features that will help them enhance business efficiency and increase productivity.

Just like other VoIP software, Zoom is a platform that leverages VoIP technology to give its users the same features. But the best part is that the Zoom platform has a much better software architecture which is why its audio processing is the best.

The usage of Zoom became common during the Covid-19 pandemic as people were confined to their homes to work remotely. Businesses found it to be a reliable way to communicate and hold conferences.

There is no restriction on the number of users that can join a conference call on Zoom. Also, you can use it by downloading it on your phone, laptop, or computer. You don't need any lines, links, or connect any wire to any port to use the application.

The best part is that it can work on low internet bandwidth, unlike other VoIP services and applications.

As per Cisco, the priority bandwidth needs to be less than 75 percent of the interface bandwidth.

But with the Zoom application, you can hold conferences and have high-quality communications without any issues. There are no hard-and-fast parameters set for you to use the Zoom application.

Some of the common examples of VoIP apps are:

• Skype
• WhatsApp
• Messenger
• Aircall
• Nextiva
• Google Voice and Hangouts
• Slack

Some of these apps offer a free and a premium version. Considering your business needs, you will need a premium service. You can choose from either one of them, depending on your business requirements and budgets. Here are some of the ways businesses can use VoIP to their advantage.

• Business Networking

VoIP services and apps are prevalent in business operations to communicate effectively with the entire team. It gives you the option to message or call anyone instantly. Moreover, it becomes easy for you to stay in touch with your remote employees.

• Texting and Messaging

VoIP services not just streamline the communication process between employees; it also helps in communicating with your clients. You can have a single number to contact all of your clients. In addition to that, you can also call and chat with your international clients without incurring any additional charges.

• Business Analytics

You might be wondering how VoIP can help you with business analytics. You can keep a record of your data and convert it into an actionable report to get an insight into your business. There are many tools that you can use to help solve problems while helping you get a competitive edge over others.

VoIP services are constantly evolving to keep up with consumer needs and demands, and more and more companies are making the move to VoIP. As long as the services providers and Voice over Internet Protocol application developers have the utmost priority of customer satisfaction, they can deliver the same level of services.

Although there are some disadvantages of VoIP, if we compare its pros and cons, the pros will outweigh the cons. It is why many businesses are switching and incorporating VoIP technology into their operations. VoIP security continues to be an area of improvement for the industry, but the security protections VoIP offers tend to be more robust that cell phones.

We will be seeing more and more usage of applications like Skype, Zoom, Slack, and others as remote working becomes the new norm. Last but not least, it is imperative to make the most out of these services. By leveraging VoIP solutions and applications, you can enhance your communication methods with clients and employees.