Latest technology can save money

Wanganui's Business Focus Group has organised a free get-together for local organisations, where the opportunities ultrafast broadband (UFB) makes available will be outlined in practical addresses from national and local speakers.

By implementing Voice over internet Protocol (VoIP) all businesses can access the latest premium telephony technologies at prices which will save them money and avoid the need to make a significant upfront investment in equipment.

"The world of business telecommunications has undergone a series of phenomenal changes over the past few years, with one of the most significant developments being the evolution away from the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN), and towards VoIP solutions," Kelvin Hussey, general manager of CallPlus (www.callplus.co.nz), said.

VoIP solutions offer high call quality and can provide the backbone for an enhanced telecommunications/unified communications platform for organisations of all sizes. A popular option for small and medium-sized organisations wanting to take advantage of enterprise-grade VoIP involves replacing their PSTN or ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network) lines with an SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking solution.

An SIP trunk provides the link between a business' PBX and an internet telephony service provider. It is the gateway to a world of VoIP services and features which can trim telecommunications costs, and enhance staff productivity. Call quality over a VoIP/SIP trunking connection is not compromised, and security will be superior to that offered over PSTN lines.

Any organisation which implements a VoIP/SIP trunking solution has the opportunity to use the technology as the foundation for a wider unified communications platform which can be truly revolutionary.

Hussey has suggestions for any organisation considering a move to VoIP:

•Cost flexibility is often an important consideration. So look for a VoIP service with a cost structure based on a per-phone, per-month fee that is scalable to fit the changing requirements of your organisation.

•Some VoIP service providers offer online usage analysis tools which can provide invaluable insights into how your organisation's telecommunications services are tracking. This ability to monitor costs and usage can translate into significant cost savings.

•Spend some time considering the future growth plans of your organisation and the likely technology requirements as it grows.

Article contributed by the Chamber of Commerce UFB Business Strategy Group. To suggest initiatives which you believe should be considered for inclusion in the group's Strategic Plan, or to contact the group, drop an email to john.patty@xtra.co.nz