VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) allows phone calls to be made over the internet or internal networks using digital signals instead of traditional phone lines. It offers cost savings through better utilization of bandwidth compared to traditional phone systems which require a phone line per phone. There are different types of VOIP systems including traditional PBX systems, IP-PBX systems, and hosted VOIP systems which have no on-premise equipment. Common concerns with VOIP include call quality, reliability if internet is lost, and compatibility with fax machines or paging systems. Transitioning an existing phone system to integrate VOIP can provide cost savings while making a future transition to full hosted VOIP easier.

1. Understanding Voice-over-IP Jim Locke, Principal ResultWorx Technology Group

2. Agenda What is VOIP? How is VOIP different from other systems? Discuss types of phone systems Discuss Common Concerns Home Office Options Transitioning to VOIP

3. What is VOIP? Voice-over-Internet Protocol Uses an Internet protocol to transmit voice calls across the Internet and/or internal networks

4. The VOIP Difference POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) Uses assigned phone lines to make calls Poor utilization rates increases costs Generally 1 phone line to every 2-3 phones Voice-over-IP Uses a portion of bandwidth from a digital circuit to deliver a simultaneous number of calls Good utilization rate, based on simultaneous calls VOIP circuit can often be used for data too

5. Types of Phone Systems Traditional PBX Systems IP-PBX Systems Hosted VOIP

6. Traditional PBX Traditional on-premise phone system Delivers service via multiple phone lines Scalability – Limited by hardware and lines Anticipated Life – 5-10 years Associated Costs System hardware and phones Metered Rates Monthly cost of lines Maintenance & Upgrades

7. IP-PBX Systems On-premise system similar to the PBX Delivers service via multiple analog or digital phone lines Scalability – Limited by hardware and lines Anticipated Life – 5-10 Years Associated Costs System hardware and phones Monthly cost of lines and/or digital circuits Metered and/or fixed rates Maintenance & Upgrades

8. Hosted Voice-over-IP (VOIP) No on-premise phone system Delivers service via digital circuits and network Anticipated Life – 10, 20, 30 years? Scalability – Limited by bandwidth Associated Costs Phones; Possible cabling costs Monthly cost of digital circuits Fixed rates per phone Low Maintenance / No Upgrade Costs

9. Other Advantages of VOIP System can be accessed from the office, mobile phone, a “soft-phone” loaded on a computer, etc; Basically, any place with Internet access. Calls can be routed from phone to phone or can ring all phones simultaneously; Establish your own routing rules Business Continuity - If you lose your Internet connection for any reason, calls are automatically routed to voice mail The system is administered via a web interface with minimal effort Each user generally has their own direct phone number Connect multiple offices on a single system

10. Common VOIP Concerns Can I keep my existing phone number? Quality of service – The Vonage Experience Reliability – What happens if I lose Internet? What type of cabling do I need? Can I use a fax machine with VOIP? Can I page over VOIP?

11. Home Office Phone Options Consumer grade VOIP systems like Vonage, Google Voice or Skype Virtual phone systems like My1Voice Speakeasy Hosted Voice

12. Transitioning to VOIP Connect your existing phone system to an Integrated VOIP circuit Provides some of the cost savings of hosted VOIP Provides some of the features of hosted VOIP Easier to convert to a hosted solution when you are ready

13. Please feel free to contact us: Jim Locke (626) 689-4491 [email_address]