IP Telephony from Progressive Networks

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IP Telephony

WHAT IS IP TELEPHONY?
IP telephony (IPT) uses IP addressing to enable two-way transmission of voice traffic over a packet-switched TCP/IP network. IP networks typically handle data traffic that does not need to arrive within a specified time frame. Also, if a data packet is lost, it is simply retransmitted. Packets that carry telephone conversations over IP networks, on the other hand, need to arrive quickly and sequentially, without the loss of data. Quality of Service (QoS) techniques therefore play an essential role in IP telephony by giving voice packets priority over other types of data throughout a network, thereby ensuring conversations arrive intact. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) differs from IP Telephony in that it does not use Quality of Service; VoIP is therefore not suited to enterprise environments since conversations inevitably suffer from unacceptable levels of delay, jitter and packet loss.

WHY DO I NEED IP TELEPHONY?
At a basic level the key benefits of IP telephony centre around reduction: reduction in the time-consuming complexity associated with making moves, adds and changes to staff

Further Information

workstations; reduction in the expense of cabling; reduction in unplanned maintenance costs; and reduction in analogue telephone call charges. Obviously all these are important but, to really appreciate the full potential of IP telephony, it is necessary to look beyond the handset and dial pad and envisage an ‘intelligent client’ with an IP address running on a network, talking to applications – applications that are used to assist organisations in the day-to-day running of their operations. Enterprises are always looking for new ways to generate revenue, to control costs, to satisfy their customers and employees, to drive productivity, and to competitively differentiate themselves. IP telephony undoubtedly has the potential to impact these key organisational initiatives, but precisely how it does so will ultimately depend on whether IPT is viewed merely as a new cost-reducing telephone system, or as a network-based business model designed to drive enterprise-wide change and improvement.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IP TELEPHONY?
A complete IP Telephony solution consists of four categories of elements:

Clients: End-user devices such as hardware and software-based telephones
Infrastructure: Includes voice-enabled switches, routers, and other network devices
Call management: The hardware and software that provide standard telephony call processing such as voice mail and call forwarding
Voice applications: Provide advanced call handling, such as IP-based audio-conferencing and specialised security features for sensitive discussions.

Unless moving into an entirely new “Greenfield” site, most organisations choose to take a modular approach to implementing a converged network. This allows them the opportunity to leverage existing network infrastructures whilst becoming familiar with the many features of a new technology. An enterprise, for example could easily install several IP telephones and some call management hardware/software to interface with its existing analogue PBX system without having to make any radical changes to its underlying network.

WHAT IP TELEPHONY SERVICES DOES PROGRESSIVE NETWORKS OFFER?
Progressive Networks offers a complete consultancy and purchasing service to facilitate an organisation’s smooth transition to IP telephony over their existing infrastructure, and an end-to-end design and build service for those organisations embarking on new ‘Greenfield’ projects.

Network Audit: A comprehensive assessment to gauge the optimum balance between what is required, what is possible, and what budgetary constraint will permit.
Network Design and Build: A detailed design specification and roll-out plan, followed by scheduled implementation.
Network Management: Quality of Service (QoS) management to ensure trouble-free IP communications.

For more information, contact us by calling our team on 0800 169 41 31, requesting a call back or emailing us at info@progressive-networks.net.