MASTER CLASS IP phone home
IP Phone Home
Using the internet for your phone calls
VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL (VOIP) is a relatively new technology. Voice Over IP allows people to leave behind the old analogue phone networks and now adopt the very new Internet-based calling system infrastructure. Many of you may be using this technology already from your
computer in the form of programmes like Skype, which allow free user-to-user calls and discounted calling rates to phone lines. This same technology can be used to replace your home or business phone lines. The main advantage of VOIP is the cost, however there are some other features that may interest those of you who travel or want some extra phone features.
In my particular case I have an IP Phone account which for a
minimal monthly fee allows me free calling to landlines in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, USA and Canada. The phone I have has its own "identity" so I can connect up to the Internet anywhere in the world and use my phone to make and receive calls. This allows me to work as I travel by effectively making local calls as though I was home in New Zealand, and my clients get to call a local New Zealand number to reach me when I am away as well. If you are transitioning over to this technology it is also possible, in
most cases, to keep your existing phone numbers so the transition is an easy one.
Many VOIP services use a system called "Virtual PBX". This system means that you can have many powerful features without necessarily having an expensive phone system in your business.
Examples of these features are: REMOTE EXTENSIONS
VOICEMAIL SERVICE AUTO ATTENDANT
CALL FORWARDING
FAXMAIL SERVICE CALL SCREENING
CONFERENCE CALLS CALL TRANSFERS
CALL RETURN SERVICE CALLER ID SERVICE
You or your staff can operate from different locations, but still be connected to the same "phone system".
Retrieve messages from missed calls.
Have callers prompted with a menu when they call (e.g., "Press 1 for sales, 2 for service", etc.).
You can set your calls to be forwarded to another number if busy. You can also set schedules for this to happen. For example, you may set incoming calls to automatically be diverted to a home or mobile number outside of office hours.
With this service your incoming faxes are delivered straight to your email inbox as a PDF attachment.
Choose to automatically reject anonymous calls, or calls from specific numbers.
Set up a conference call for discussions with multiple parties.
Easily transfer a call from your phone to either another phone on the VOIP system, or an external phone. If you're on the phone and you need to head out, no worries – just transfer the call to your mobile and keep talking!
Call back the last number that dialled you. See incoming call details.
There are, of course, some minor disadvantages to using VOIP, e.g., if you experience a power failure or an internet failure then you would be unable to make a call. In any event, Voice Over IP is definitely something that you should investigate for your own home and business needs.
Cliff Salter, www.pchardware.co.nz 58 | www.hermagazine.co.nz
