Is
an IP system right for me?
Even if you don't need an IP telephone
system yet, Telephones.com still recommends going with
an IP system. Most IP systems actually come out of the
box as a conventional digital telephone system. You would
install, program, and use it just like any other telephone
system. Once you are ready to add go IP, you simply add
the optional IP module and IP telephones. This keeps
your initial costs down, and similar to a conventional
telephone system.
Are you still using *TDM? Time-Division
Multiplexing (TDM) is used in traditional digital
phone systems. TDM could very well be reaching its expiry
date, and the timeline for support for TDM is shrinking.
It's inevitable. TDM is being quickly displaced with
VoIP and IP Telephony.
Some IP Systems require the licensing
of optional equipment and software. Larger, more advanced IP
Systems like the Samsung
OfficeServ, the NEC
DSX, and the Vertical
SBX IP320 have optional advanced features and
functions that may require the purchase of separate licenses
and/or equipment in order to activate that particular product
or feature. An example of this would be adding an off-site
IP telephone in a different city or state connected to
the main system that might require a site license. License
costs and optional features vary from IP system to IP system,
so please research them thoroughly. Smaller and medium
size systems normally DO NOT require any licensing fees.
IP Phone Systems have features and optional equipment
that are EXTREMLY advanced and unlike most features found
on conventional analog, digital, or hybrid systems. IP
Phone Systems are NOT harder to install than regular conventional
systems, but they may require additional expertise when
it comes to programming and configuring them. Besides the
basic telephony knowledge required for phone systems, a
complete understanding of LAN’s, WAN’s and
Data Networking is also required for programming and configuring
most IP Systems for off-site operations. The provided system
manuals will fully explain this in technical terms, but
depending on your knowledge on IP addressing, you may also
require help from your local Network Administrator since
the provided manuals will assume you already have a basic
knowledge of computer networking fundamentals. An IP phone
system will become PART of your computer network system
(LAN), so if you understand your LAN's operations, you
should have no trouble integrating the phone system to
it. The rule of thumb here is that if you can configure
a computer network system using IP addresses, MAC addresses,
routers and switches, etc, then you should be able to set
up an IP phone system as well. Most IP Systems tend to
cost more than a conventional analog or digital phone system
due to the more advanced features they contain. If you
DO NOT have multiple offices that require integration or
require off site locations for telecommuters, then most
likely a regular analog or digital phone system will meet
all your business needs and requirements.
Are
there disadvantages to an IP phone system?
- On the average, and IP phone system will cost you
more. If you don't have multiple business locations
that need to be networked together, a conventional
analog, digital or hybrid phone system may be a better
choice for you.
- Most IP Phone System require CAT5/6 wiring. Its the
same wiring used for your Computer network system. This
may be advantages when adding a phone where a PC is already
located because you can use the same wiring for both
the IP phone and PC. If you don't have a networked PC
at that location, then you will need to run Cat5/6 wiring
to that location for the IP phone.
- There is a myth that an IP system is not reliable.
The fact is, an IP system is just as reliable, if not
more reliable, than a conventional digital phone system.
The MOST commonly reported problem with an IP system
has to do with Quality-of-Service (QoS). The fact is,
if you do not have the proper amount of bandwidth at
all locations, then you will experience poor voice quality.
The rule of thumb is simple. Maintain proper bandwidth
for the amount of equipment is use and you will be extremely
happy with the features and functions of an IP system.
Period.
Need
more help? ask us or download the free dummies manuals
below provided by Avaya (also apply to all other IP phone
systems):
 Download
SIP for Dummies by Peter Gregory |
