Thinking about going to the cloud, buying a VoIP phone system, or integrating voice and data communications, but don’t know what you should be evaluating? Already using some of these services but want to add another service or looking for a better price? Our team can help!
Cloud
What is exactly Cloud Service? The simplest answer would be that all your data are on the internet somewhere, you don’t even know the exact location. So of course, you would need some sort of internet access.
Cloud services are designed to provide easy, scalable access to applications, resources and services, and are fully managed by a cloud services provider. A cloud service can dynamically scale to meet the needs of its users, and because the service provider supplies the hardware and software necessary for the service, there’s no need for a company to provision or deploy its own resources or allocate IT staff to manage the service. Examples of cloud services include online data storage and backup solutions, web-based e-mail services, hosted office suites and document collaboration services, database processing, managed technical support services and more.
VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol
VoIP basically means voice transmitted over a digital network. The internet, however, isn’t strictly necessary for VoIP. What is necessary for VoIP technology is the use of the same protocols that the Internet uses. (A protocol is a set of rules used to allow orderly communication.) Thus, voice over Internet protocol means voice that travels by way of the same protocols used on the Internet.
VoIP is often referred to as IP telephony (IPT) because it uses internet protocols to make possible enhanced voice communications. The internet protocols are the basis of IP networking, which supports corporate, private, public, cable, and even wireless networks. VoIP unites an organization’s many locations — including mobile workers — into a single converged communications network and provides an unparalleled range of telephony support services and features.
Integrated Services
First developed in the later 80’s with the ISDN service where your voice and data were able to ride over the same signaling service. BRI’s would give you 2 voice and 1 data and PRI’s would give you 23 “voice” channels and 1 channel for signaling or “data”. However, it was costly for businesses to run their data or internet over the ISDN circuit due to measured billing.
Now with the technology advancements we can add voice services over a dedicated internet circuit for a flat rate and in most instances, you will receive unlimited local calling and a block of long distance minutes built in the monthly cost. You can run as many voice channels as you need over what ever bandwidth you are ordering but it is a good idea to make sure that your voice is always “prioritized” over your internet needs quality of service (QoS). This way you avoid any delays or choppiness in your voice calls.