The first time you heard about Voice over Internet Protocol, did you wonder if it was something straight from “Star Trek?” We have to admit it sounds a little out of this world with its digital signals flying through space. But VoIP is really revolutionizing the way people make telephone calls.

In a nutshell, VoIP sends a signal digitally rather than over an analog signal. Here’s an analogy: Let’s say traditional phone calls (analog) are sent using a string. Your business buys that string. It’s your string, just for you to transmit your phone calls and nothing else. But VoIP sends signals digitally via the network, only using that string when it needs it. Your business saves money because you don’t have to “buy” a dedicated string. And besides you can use the network for other things like video conferencing and sending data.

So, there’s a cost savings in that you are sharing the data space – those strings. You also benefit from enhanced options and capabilities that can improve your business and employee productivity.

Check out some of the options available in VoIP:

• Voicemails are available by e-mail, which means you can access your messages even when you’re not at your desk phone.
• You can have calls forwarded to you cell phone (remember, the calls are using the digital space, not a dedicated string). This is particularly useful in a hurricane or other disaster. It’s even helpful if you need to stay home with a sick child one day. (Also helps eliminate “phone tag,” a game no one enjoys playing.)
• You can see your missed calls (similar to a cell phone).
• An application for Outlook Express allows you to configure your settings, such as call forwarding or sending calls straight to voice mail when you’re out of the office.
• Easily track employee calls for billing and call management. For a business such as a lawyer’s office that bills based on time, you can more easily track the time spent on calls.

Do you use VoIP? Why or why not?