
In the past, conducting business with someone halfway across the world was difficult, expensive, and time-consuming. The thought of holding conferences or meetings with someone in another country never even crossed entrepreneurs’ minds. Thanks to the internet and new VoIP gadgets like the Polycom IP 6000and Polycom IP 550, conducting overseas business with your colleagues is now much easier.
VoIP, short for Voice over Internet Protocol, refers to voice communication done over the internet or private IP networks. Some chat programs like Yahoo Messenger, Skype, and Google Voicehave VoIP capabilities, but simple chat programs are not enough to conduct long business-related calls or meetings. When it comes to voice communication, businesses need a more stable connection and clear voice transmission, which are features specialized VoIP services offer.
There are three common kinds of VoIP services: computer-based VoIP, residential or office VoIP, and mobile VoIP.
Computer-based VoIP
Computer or software based VoIP is the most common type of VoIP because they are cheap and easy to set up. You won’t need special VoIP hardware installed into your office to use it; all you need is a computer, a microphone, and earphones or speakers. You may also need a camera if your VoIP software supports video conferencing.
If your start-up business can’t afford to pay for specialized computer-based VoIP services yet, you can use free programs supporting VoIP, like Skype.
There are usually two major problems associated with software-based VoIP. The first is it only allows you to contact people logged on to the program or network. This makes it more difficult to contact overseas colleagues when something urgent comes up. The second problem is connections on computer-based VoIP are less stable compared to other VoIP types, especially if the network is on a local server.
Office VoIP
Office or residential VoIP involves installing anew telephone unit, like a Polycom IP 550or Polycom IP 6000, into your office space. These telephones offer different kinds of features, such as group call options and wireless internet access. Office VoIP usually has a more stable connection and better sound quality than other VoIP types.
There are different types of VoIP telephone units, each with their own specific features and purposes. For example, units like the Polycom IP 550 focus on improving private communications between small groups of people. Other units, like the Polycom IP 6000, specialize in larger over-the-phone meetings and conferences.
If you don’t want a new piece of hardware installed into your office, there are office VoIP services that provide you with a special VoIP adapter, which you can simply attach to your regular phone unit.
Mobile VoIP
You won’t always be sitting in front of your desk at the office, so there will be times when you can’t make calls over the internet. Mobile VoIP solves this problem by allowing you to use VoIP services on the go. The only disadvantage is you can’t access mobile VoIP services unless your mobile phone is on a data plan with wireless internet support. Subscribing to a data plan with Wi-Fi or 3G access may cost you more money, but if you’re always on the go, the extra cost may be worth it.

May 17th, 2012
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