Differences Between Retail and Commercial VoIP

by Andrew Wiggin
http://www.onsip.com

I've often mentioned before that VoIP is a flexible technology. It can be adapted to the needs of the user and customized almost infinitely. One might argue though that even the regular POTS is flexible as well. After all, businesses use it in a very different way compared to how the rest of us do. However, the difference lies in the fact that the regular telephone system for businesses requires additional infrastructure and almost certainly incurs a far greater cost. VoIP however is uniquely scalable in that even a regular customer like myself can choose to use enterprise grade communication systems - sometimes for free. It is this unparalleled flexibility which gives it the edge over the old PSTN system in addition of course to the insanely low calling costs.

Businesses have several requirements which normal consumers do not. These additional features are offered by ITSPs for businesses for a small additional fee. The key point is that these additional services can be added and removed at any given time without any hassle and in as transparent a manner as possible. As individuals though, we have certain requirements that a business does not. For example Google Voice incorporates the feature called "do not disturb" which allows one to temporarily switch off the phone during periods when they would rather not be available - like during a movie. Companies of course have no such rules and are available throughout the day.

Individuals also like to keep things simple. This explains why VoIP services such as Vonage for example have been able to attract such a huge user base in spite of not offering the full VoIP experience and customizability. Businesses on the other hand are geared towards maximum efficiency at minimum cost. Therefore, there will be far less hesitant in exploring new technologies even when it means that they have to do a little bit of experimenting and configuring. Which is why ITSPs today cater mainly to businesses and provide features such as IVR options, HD music on hold, company chat and video conferencing.

But advances in the business world have a way of trickling down to consumers as well. Once all the wrinkles have been ironed out professionally, they can start porting over the technologies and the features to the rest of us. This will also raise expectations in general. Communications in the future will probably be rather different compared to what it is now. Video calling, HD Voice and high speed Internet will all change the landscape of phone calling.

Andrew Wiggin is an expert consultant on Hosted PBX Accounts. He also specializes in Making HD Voice Calls.

Article submitted Wednesday, January 04, 2012 & read 1 times.

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