Technology to reduce the cost of business communications!
IP telephony solutions have matured significantly since the “early” days (2001) and the number of companies who have deployed the solution has risen dramatically in the past year, the reason is simple: end-to-end IP telephony solutions deliver a full range of powerful capabilities at significantly reduced costs. By combining cost savings, ease of use, and the ability to quickly develop and deploy applications and features, IP telephony is changing the way the enterprise world communicates.
Companies planning to migrate to IP telephony systems can save significant amounts of time and money with some basic strategic planning. It’s helpful to understand the underlying principles of IP telephony, as well as the infrastructure and components necessary to build a scalable, highly reliable voice-over-IP (VoIP) network.
IP Telephony Deployment, Building Blocks
With many enterprises implementing VoIP as a form of toll bypass, companies leverage the inherent cost savings of a converged network across the organization, while adding new features and functions.
Deployment Models
There are four basic models for IP telephony deployment in the enterprise:
- Single-site deployment – IP telephony is deployed within a building or campus, but no voice traffic is carried over the IP WAN
- Independent call-processing approach – IP telephony is deployed within various remote locations, but calls are transmitted across the public switched telephone network (PSTN)
- Multisite deployment with distributed call processing – Calls are transmitted using both the IP WAN (primary path) and the PSTN (secondary path) to connect enterprise locations. Call-processing and voice-messaging equipment are present at each location, but interconnect across the WAN
- Multisite deployment with centralized call processing – Calls are transmitted using both IP WAN (primary path) and the PSTN (secondary path), but call-processing and voice-messaging equipment are centrally located. This is often the most efficient solution for multisite enterprises
The four layers of IP telephony
IP telephony systems have four distinct layers. Each of these layers fulfills a specific function in ensuring high-quality voice transmission:
- Client layer – desktop equipment such as IP phones, Cisco IP SoftPhones and videoconferencing equipment
- Infrastructure layer – Gateways, routers and switches
- Call-processing layer – Redundant call control and directories
- Application layer – Voice mail or unified messaging, personal productivity applications and business productivity applications
Let C3 Networx work with you to tailor the best VoIP solution – one that best fits your company’s unique needs.