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SIP Phone & Video Phone Solutions VS. Skype

internet-phoneSession Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a communication protocol used to control multimedia communication sessions over IP. What does that mean for businesses? It means that now businesses are able to combine all their communication systems, including voice, video, web, mobility and SMS, into one unified service. Clearly this is an ideal business tool and with free SIP to SIP calls anywhere in the world it makes great financial sense as well.

It seems like video phone solutions have been around forever. Back in the 1950s we were told videophones were just around the corner but it was not until the advent of the PC and the development of programmes like Skype and Face Time that videophones looked like they were coming of age. The problem with current services, though, is that they are run over the public internet and suffer from quality and connection issues. Add to that the fact that Skype is now owned by Microsoft, which may well end up locking users into a Windows-based solution, and Face Time is a proprietary Apple service with similar issues and you can see why SIP is more attractive.

SIP Connection is the way of the Future

Businesses need something more stable and something that does not sit alongside their existing PSTN and ISDN services but replaces these legacy solutions altogether. A lot of the tech thought leaders and IT Directors have voiced their opinions that that they believe that SIP and SIP Phones are a better solution for business, especially as they offer complete integration of services. When you buy a unified services, such as On-Premise, or install a SIP lines and one of SIP service provider's video phone solution and you will experience a whole new level of service and satisfaction. Now all your business communication and conferencing needs can be managed across one unified-interface and through one PBX, and this includes new technologies like videophone-to-TV communication.

Skype may be the largest player in the market, but it has yet to launch a credible videophone product, and although it provides an SIP service, these are not free. And that is the problem with Skype and other similar applications: Skype-Skype calls are not charged, whereas using Skype videophone or SIP services will incur additional charges. It is these extras that make the service unattractive for businesses. This is where unified communication system comes into its own. Prices are brought down and made more affordable because all businesses communication systems from video to SMS can be integrated into one service.

With an Amcom SIP line, you can do away with your legacy PSTN and ISDN lines and connect to a hosted PBX service that operates using your existing telephony hardware. There are numerous SIP Phones to choose from and as well as numerous SIP address providers for your video phone solution. SIP lines are available from 5 to 5,000 so scaling the system to meet future business demands is not a problem. As there is no hardware for you to buy and maintain (since it is all hosted), you reduce your IT spending as well.

It is highly recommended to try to find a system that allows you access to a host of PBX features, including conferencing, calling centres and Mobile VoIP. To insure you will have no issues with interoperability between different IP PBX vendors. On-net calls are free and calls to mobiles are charged at a fixed rate so you know exactly what you are spending. With integrated SIP Phones, SMS, Web, Television and Mobility, you have a service that will meet the needs of every department in your business and make doing business that much more simple.

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