Introduction to VoIP

Welcome everyone to this week of When You Need em ask, Neadom. We're talking about VoIP Voice over IP and how today's phone systems are connected to your business. Make sure you stay tuned!

Office Move and Setup

Hey guys, welcome to another week of When You Need em ask, Neadom. Any updates?
Yes, we just moved in last weekend. Thanks to our phenomenal staff, they did a fantastic job getting us through this.
We’re also a moving company now!
So, we’ve got a new office, some new digs. This is my office. Really excited to be in the new spot.
We were two angels at a desk before, so go figure. We’re making changes and getting everything set up.
We just wanted to make sure we’re still shooting and making videos for you guys.

Understanding VoIP Technology

So what do we got this week?
VoIP Voice over IP. What is it and what exactly does it do to benefit the business?
That’s a great one. A lot of people get confused about what VoIP actually is.
VoIP is really sending voice data packets across the network the same network your computers are connected to.
We’re taking voice signals, making them digital, and sending them across the network. That’s the basics—VoIP 101.

Bandwidth and Call Quality

Traditionally, phone systems used analog service. Think back to The Andy Griffith Show—party lines, operators patching calls.
VoIP digitizes that analog service.
There’s VoIP outside the office (over the internet) and VoIP inside the office (local network).
If I call you and we’re both in the office, it’s internal. If I call a client, it goes over the internet.
Call quality depends on bandwidth. If you’re already using 50 Mbps, you might need more for uninterrupted service.
We can prioritize voice traffic using QoS—Quality of Service—so voice calls are more important than Facebook, YouTube, or email.

SIP Trunks and Service Providers

We evaluate bandwidth before installing a phone system.
You can get a dedicated SIP trunk (dedicated telephone service) or bring your own bandwidth.
With good internet, you can save money using a SIP trunk provider like Kotori or SIPtrunk.com.
You’ll need a username and password to connect securely.

Phone System Features

Once everything’s set up—call quality, handsets—you’ve got a traditional phone system.
Pick up the phone, call an extension, and you’re connected.
Depending on office size, you might need an IVR.

Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

IVR stands for Interactive Voice Response.
It’s the digital receptionist: “For sales, press 1. For service, press 2.”
Big companies might have frustrating IVR loops.
Smaller companies like ours use it only when we can’t answer live.
We want a live person to answer the phone whenever possible.

Mobile Integration and Flexibility

With VoIP, your cell phone can be an extension of your office phone.
There’s an app for that your desk extension rings on your mobile.
Salespeople in the field can receive calls directly, knowing it’s a business call.
This flexibility is a huge advantage over traditional systems.

Conclusion

That’s it for this week’s When You Need a Mask, Needham.
Remember to like, subscribe, and hit the notification icon.
Put your questions in the comments—there are no dumb questions.
Thanks again for a great week. Bye guys!