If you have been thinking about switching to VoIP, here is some information to consider. In case you didn’t know, VoIP is the acronym for Voice -over Internet Protocol, a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line.
There are two major reasons to switch to VoIP: lower cost and increased functionality. The single biggest advantage of an IP phone system is that any and all locations on a LAN or WAN can get the benefits of having a common office phone system, including extension dialing, seamless call transfers, and other features.
Of course, with these advantages come some disadvantages, related to service during a power outage, emergency calls, and quality / reliability. During a power outage, a regular land line phone remains in service, this is not possible with VoIP phones unless there is a battery backup or generator used. Another concern is emergency 911 calls. Traditional phone equipment can trace your location. With VoIP, there is currently no way to determine where your internet phone call is originating from. This system can also have problems with sound quality and reliability. It is estimated that by the end of 2007 most of the kinks will be worked out and VoIP will receive more widespread consumer acceptance.
With all this information, you may be asking, “if I switch to VoIP, do I still need Commercials On Hold?” — and the answer is “yes.” Having a VoIP phone system just means the phone service is delivered differently and the phone system is software-based and connects to your data network.
Instead of sending a digital player to play your production, we will simply email the production to you in MP3 format and you can download it on to your VoIP phone system. In some cases, keeping external equipment that streams the on hold audio may be the better option, should the system be unable to stream (loop) the audio.
Some of our VoIP clients are now programming their customized on hold messages by department or by location, in order to maximize their return. We create the productions and email the audio files or place them on an .ftp site for easy download. For other clients, the service typically works the same way as in the past, only the audio may be delivered differently.
If you have any questions about how messages & music on hold works with VoIP, please contact us.
1-800-832-4653
blog@commercialsonhold.com
