Telecommunications market research firm the Radicati Group predicted that 74 percent of all corporate telephony lines will be IP-based by next year. Reasons companies usually give for instituting VoIP include ease of integration, flexibility, cost savings, consolidated network management, productivity and the robust features VoIP offers users and IT staff.

 

The landscape and the analysis of VoIP has changed over the years. The industry is moving away from circuit-based voice solutions. End-of-life and end-of-support notices for time-division multiplexing PBXs are prompting enterprises to rethink their voice solutions.

 

Enterprises realize that the acceptance of VoIP standards and applications are making installations easier than traditional voice installations are. Because fully depreciated PBX systems stand in the way of the cost savings and enhanced applications offered by IP telephony, vendors are offering hybrid systems and upgrade paths combining the capability of a PBX (News - Alert) and the enhanced features of an IP PBX. VoIP adoption will only continue to grow, with the installation of hybrid systems continuing to spread faster than either traditional TDM or pure IP.

 

The maturation of VoIP is bringing greater benefits to those who use it. VoIP products enable more features and greater integration with backend infrastructure. As an example, tighter integration with a messaging system permits voicemail delivery to e-mail inboxes. VoIP creates a system of converged communications and unified messaging, which then can enhance employee productivity.