VoIP (Voice over IP)
December 6, 2005

Focus: This Interchange focused on gaining valuable insight, which will help participants, better manage key issues involving the use of VoIP.

Issues:
Hardware Configuration
Security
Redundancy
Availability / Downtime
Reliability
ROI
WAN
Lifelines
Vendors
Staff
SIP

What Is It?
Voice / data integration. Even more than that, all data, conference calls, etc. It puts everything together.

Reliability:
-VoIP is not as reliable due to it being a single dedicated voice network.
- Concerns over accuracy of data files and systems.
-Gives you a centralized system.

Configuration:
- Can be installed quickly, but takes time to make it stable.
-Routing Upgrades-MPLS routers are easy to expand.
-Try to integrate one piece at a time, pick and choose what elements you need in your company.
-It also takes up a lot less space, and the telephone system runs to power vs., Ethernet.

Vendors:
-AT&T, Sprint, Siemens, Cisco, Nortel, Avia

Security:
-Have firewalls and borders put into system.
-Have encryption built into system.
-Know who has access and be selective to who has access to information.

Key Ideas:
-ROI depends on existing infrastructure and nature of enterprise.
-VoIP has the ability to be very expensive.
-In the long run it will save your company money, but in the short run it will be more expensive.
-Good for international calls from a savings standpoint. Domestic long distance is a toss up with the current low rate on phone calls.
-Distributed call center is a benefit for VoIP.
-Hire a consultant to install the system for you.
-In small outlying or offshore offices do not integrate phone systems.
-The hand out of soft phones can be very useful but difficult to manage.
-Downtime cannot happen during VoIP.
-Put in PRI’s to help with redundancy.

Staff:
-Someone on the outside needs to implement VoIP.
-Begin to train staff and prepare them for conversions before they take place.
-Allow the consultants and staff to work together and be apart of the installation.

Comments/Benefits:
SIP
ROI/Value to demonstrate to management
Redundancy
Hardware; Vendors; Consulting/ Who? What?
Hardware/Fax, Modem, Burglar
Security/Large scale abuse -- Options
ROE/Not yet
WAN & VoIP/Considering moving into WAN
MPLA/Considering moving into MPLS
Bandwidth/Help with ROI
Open discussion/New info
Physical and environmental aspects/Important to business case
Collaboration/Cultural input
Experience
Vendors/Sources to review
Networking