VoIP seems to have a pretty good run at the end of every year. As technology evolves, VoIP becomes more of a main attraction and less of an item that businesses see as a luxury. It’s become the norm, the way businesses communicate on the regular, and so as it becomes more prevalent, we are seeing more and more gadgets and accessories to accompany the cost-saving commodity that is business VoIP.
Gadgets
VoIP has to come with some hardware to make it work, and then there are some of the accessories and gadgets that make it fun. GetVoIP rounded up some of the best gadgets for business VoIP that were popular in 2012, gadgets like the Logitech BCC950 Video Conference Camera and ZYCOO zx20-A2 Mini Asterisk IP PBX (News - Alert).
For iPhone fans, the Altigen iFusion SmartStation is a docking station that uses Bluetooth to turn your smartphone into a standard desk phone with a traditional handset and speakerphone. A pass through USB port will charge your iPhone (News - Alert) and sync it with your PC or Mac.
A rather unique VoIP-related gadget is the Advanced Network Devices (AND) IP Clock, a Power over Ethernet (PoE) synchronized clock, intercom, scrolling text display, two-way voice communicator and flashing strobe light system.
It connects to your existing data, paging and notification network. The price tag (News - Alert) is a bit on the hefty side, but for someone with expendable cash and a penchant for a clock that does just a little bit more, it’s quite a different twist to the traditional tried and true VoIP gadgets.
Routers
VoIP is useless without the proper router, so when it comes to deploying VoIP properly, you want to make sure you’re getting the right gateway to make it all work. Choose the provider that is big enough and well-known enough to offer a solid product backed by good customer service.
VoIP Headsets
Wearers of headsets are afforded the ability to take the conversation anywhere they choose. One advantage of using a VoIP headset is that it allows the user some privacy, where computer speakers and microphones may require that the caller publicize the conversation. Using a VoIP headset means that the wearer can keep conversations confidential and at a desirable volume. People who may benefit from using a VoIP headset are those who require hands-free communication, like those who multi-talk or wish to work while speaking.
VoIP Phones
VoIP or IP phones come with many features built right in, such as conferencing facilities, call waiting, call forwarding, call transfer and caller ID. Using a VoIP phone allows you to make calls just using your computer microphone and speakers or headphones without anything too complicated or extravagant. The number of phone users in your office is one important consideration when it comes to deploying business VoIP. If you use IP phones, you can have more extensions than you can with only analog phones. Since IP phones plug into the LAN the same way your computer does, you don't need to run phone wires to each workstation at all.
Not everyone realizes there are some interested VoIP devices and gadgets out there that could make VoIP rather useful, if not a little more fun.
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Edited by Rachel Ramsey