Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has created a variety of opportunities for users who are trying to save money. From individuals worrying about their monthly phone bill to large corporations looking to lower the costs of the mobile phones they supply to their employees, there is a possible VoIP route for everyone to choose. Now that these innovations have become more refined and widely used in the business world, it is time that they are put towards a greater cause: education.
The top factor that holds the educational sector behind, in the technologically advanced world in which students now live, is the issue of budget and funding. Although the digital realm opens up a door to a whole new universe that students and teachers didn’t think was possible a decade ago, it comes at a cost. However, by utilizing the technologies that VoIP has uncovered, schools will be able to cut back costs and use the extra money that they saved toward technology education.
Here are the top 3 ways schools can cut costs:
- PBX Phone (News - Alert) System: This type of phone system uses the Internet to place and receive calls through hardware that is located off-site, managed by a VoIP Provider and is a service supplied by a telecommunications provider in the form of a hosted phone. It is drastically cheaper to make calls over the Internet rather than traditional PSTN, and it is also a more affordable system to install and maintain. School officials can access this phone system from any location, and can also use this to send a receive taxes. Officials can also utilize its conferencing capabilities to conduct meetings and cut costs from travel expenses.
- IP Paging systems: By using an IP system for its paging and intercom activities like public announcements and emergency alerts, schools are able to reduce the need to rely on expensive backup batteries during failures, avoid using separate voice and data networks and save money on installing power in remote areas. The IP Paging system also includes a variety of IP speaker choices, IP Clocks and IP digital signage boards.
- Video conferencing: By using VoIP video conferencing applications like Skype (News - Alert), which is available from almost every device including computers, mobile phones, tablets and TVs, teachers can take the class on virtual trips without the traditional costs of travel. Not only can students read and see images on the Internet, they can now see live interactions. It also creates opportunities for schools on different parts of the hemisphere to interact with one another or take different seminars without physically being there.
After schools follow these three tips, they will see a drastic reduction in their phone and electric bills and, with the new innovations that video conferences has created, will hopefully be able to cut costs while providing students with a more technology-heavy education.