Enterprise Wide IP Telephony

They say that two heads are better than one. But when it comes to managing multiple networks or paying for them - most people would probably agree that one network is more cost effective and productive than two or three. It makes sense. Why run multiple sets of cables to each desk, maintain multiple sets of networking hardware, and manage multiple support staffs when data, voice, and video communications can share one network? Especially when one converged network improves service for everyone? That’s the thinking behind Internet Protocol (IP) telephony, a technology that presents an opportunity for companies to get more benefit from their existing network infrastructures.

Converged data and voice networks can lower an enterprise’s total cost of ownership by eliminating redundant infrastructure, simplifying administration and maintenance, and consolidating IT staffs. This is especially true if an enterprise runs three networks—one for voice, one for teleconferencing, and one for data—as many companies still do. IP telephony can consolidate all three networks. IP telephony also offers lower application-hosting costs, integration between data and voice applications such as e-mail and voice mail, and employee flexibility with ease of mobility and remote connectivity.

The basic idea behind IP telephony is that it can send a telephone call over the same networks that carry data throughout your company, whether it be a local-area network (LAN), a corporate intranet, a wide-area network (WAN), or even the public Internet. To do so, the technology breaks the sound into tiny digital units called packets, then sends those packets over the network and reassembles them in the correct order on the receiving end.

But not all calls are internal. To connect with external users, an IP telephone network needs to interface with the standard telephone network, also called the Public Switched Telephone Network. Gateways are another important piece of network hardware because they connect and translate IP-based telephone calls between the IP network and the public telephone network.  

IP telephony is a hot technology. 80% of the enterprises that have already implemented IP telephony have indicated that the quality resiliency and scalability of the technology has either met or exceeded their expectations.  And IP telephony is now gaining momentum in the enterprise as it can save enterprises money on toll calls, voice circuit costs, and on telephone system installation, maintenance, and use.