Learn More about VoIP Architecture & Call Components

A lot has been written about the features and benefits of VoIP services. So, in this blog, we would concentrate on understanding the architecture and components of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. We would consider the major components along with their individual functional characteristics.
The 4 major VoIP components include:

1. Signaling Gateway Controller
2. Media Gateway
3. Media Server
4. Application Server

SIGNALING GATEWAY CONTROLLER
The signaling gateway controller (SGC) is a known as ‘called agent’ due to its call control function and is popularly referred to as a ‘Media Gateway Controller’ because of media gateway control function included in the system. The SGC entity is the heart of VoIP platform and performs multiple roles out of which connecting the PSTN world with the IP world is its main function. Some of the main characteristics of SGC component are:

1. Supporting signaling system 7 (SS7) protocol stack
2. Supporting voice call control protocols such as H.323 or SIP
3. Supporting media control protocols such as Megaco (H.248) or MGCP
4. Generating detail call records
5. Providing bandwidth management control using admission control mechanisms
6. Supporting bandwidth policing mechanisms
7. Allocating media connections

MEDIA GATEWAY
The transmission of voice packets is performed by the media gateway by using RTP transmission protocol. The media gateway performs extra functions such as packetization when it’s used in a converged IP/PSTN network. It requires using IP trunks on one side and TDM trunks from the other. Some functions of the media gateway can be listed as below:

1. Supporting MEGACO or MGCP
2. Transmitting voice data using RTP
3. Supporting E1/T1 Trunks
4. Supporting various compression algorithms
5. Managing digital signal processing (DSP) resources

MEDIA SERVER
The role of media server comes into the picture when additional features such as video conferencing or voicemail is needed. It also assists when announcements or special tones need to be transmitted. Media server performs the following functions:

1. Voice activated dialing
2. Voicemail function
3. Transmitting customized call progress tones or special service announcements
4. Transmitting voicemail to email
5. Supporting Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

APPLICATION SERVER
Application Server takes the responsibility to provide value-added services to the IP network. The server provisions both – customer specific and global services. Moreover, session specifications and call characteristics are also influenced by the application server. Below are its main functions:

1. Offering basic services like call forwarding, call waiting, call transfer, etc.
2. Supporting private dialing plans
3. Generating call detail records (CDR)
4. Free Phone service

Once you opt for VoIP phone services, it is important to decide on a reliable VoIP service provider who can assist you with business-specific requirements and provide cost-effective services to your business. The Net Activity team is well-versed and well-equipped to serve your organization with a functional VoIP system. Please visit http://www.netactivity.us/services/voip-business-phone-services to know the details or contact Harry Bhatia at 888-545-5346.
Source - http://www.netactivity.us/blog/learn-more-about-voip-architecture-call-components/
 

Why Do Nonprofit Organizations Need to Upgrade to VoIP Phone Services?

VoIP phone service is a common term now and does not require an introduction. This type of telecommunication is highly recommended for non-profit organizations as it eases the jobs and saves money. Collaboration with VoIP service providers brings in a feature-rich system which ensures smooth functioning of the non-profits in a cost-effective manner. Convinced by the benefits, a large number of non-profit set-ups have adopted the VoIP Phone Services communication system. However, some of those are still lagging behind.

Here’s how VoIP phone services for nonprofit organizations have changed the way they operate:

Receive calls while on Appointments

VoIP allows workers to twin a single phone number on two devices so that they ring simultaneously – one on the desk and other mobile device. This feature enhances reachability of the non-profit workers as they will never miss a call just because they are atan appointment.

Auto attendant

Non-profits run on a small budget and cannot afford to appoint a full-time receptionist to handle calls attentively. So, the auto-attendant feature provided by VoIP phone system proves to be an economical and sophisticated option. This enhances customer relationship management and displays a bigger picture of the organization at literally no extra costs.

Greener fax messages

VoIP services are known to be a greener technology service. It offers the ‘UniFax’ feature that receives fax in an email format wherein there is no paper wastage. Since non-profits are known to contribute to a good cause, this would be an extra step that promotes greener living.

Voice mail transcription

Users of VoIP phone systems are amazed at this feature as it adds up to their comfort by receiving the voice messages in an email format so that you don’t end up taking a paper and pen to note down every message in a hassle. This saves a lot of time and effort.

Net Activity, Inc. has helped one of its non-profit clients save nearly $250,000 over a 5-year period by installing a VoIP phone system and the organization now operates economically and more efficiently. If you wish to experience the VoIP telecommunication methods and benefit from the feature-rich service, contact the Net Activity office at 888-545-5346. You can also visit us at http://www.netactivity.us/who-we-help/non-profits to know how we can help your non-profit organization.

Source - http://www.netactivity.us/blog/why-do-nonprofit-organizations-need-to-upgrade-to-voip-phone-services/

Why Cloud Computing is The Right Choice for Your Hospitality Business?

Hospitality industry undergoes rapid turbulence as it needs to adapt itself to the constantly evolving lifestyle trends. Customers look for more convenience and prefer those organizations who pamper their needs the most. Economy is tough on the hospitality industry and with a huge competition in the market; it has become more difficult to survive. Cloud computing offers a cost-effective solution to hospitality businesses while minimizing risk and increasing scalability.

With cloud computing, hospitality industries experience a higher return on their investments and allow them to experiment more on newer technological aspects that focus on customer retention and appreciation. Cloud computing services make applications run faster and considerably less expensive for a low monthly subscription or an annual fee. It completely eliminates the need of investing heavily on expensive hardware and thereby reducing the financial risks associated with maintaining the infrastructure. Moreover, the cloud keeps your data secure by offering added protection from hackers which reduces the risks of a security breach. There are automatic updates at virtually no cost which means added convenience for users.

Specifically, for the hospitality industry, the cloud provides a platform that eases human resource management, inventory tracking, ordering, processing orders, and providing point-of-sale facilities.Additionally, the cloud allows faster reservations, promotions, loyalty rewards, and customer feedback. It is a package that serves the complete processes of the hospitality industry and ensures reliability while providing business owners the time to look into core business operations and plan for expansion or diversification. Cloud can accommodate unplanned expansions too and is simple to use.Regardless of all these features, cloud services ensure that the staff and consumers have the relevant information on their fingertips which builds trust in them and hence prospers business. 

Hospitality industries are progressing with the advent of cloud computing solutions for their businesses and as a result many cloud computing service providers are flooding in with appealing plans. However, it is important to make a rational choice and hire the services of a reliable cloud computing solutions provider. Net Activity Inc. has been in the industry for more than 15 years and has technical expertise that has delivered proven benefits to many industries in Ohio and across the United States. To know more about our service offerings, please visit http://www.netactivity.us/who-we-help/hospitality or contact us at 888-545-5346.

Source - http://www.netactivity.us/blog/cloud-computing-right-choice-for-hospitality-industry/

Learn 5 Ways How VoIP Drives Collaboration

With Unified Communications, collaboration has become an open-ended thing. It represents a different set of needs, involving multiple parties, along with a diverse set of applications so that everyone can work together. While collaboration is comparatively a difficult concept for decision makers to figure out vendor offerings, VoIP is significantly easier to work with. The following information will help you to understand how VoIP plays an important role in driving the collaboration value proposition:  

VoIP is The Voice:
Although self-evident, business VoIP phone services represent a step further than just telephony. VoIP facilitates other forms of vocal communication too, making a wider group of employees comfortable.

VoIP is Real Time Communication:
Speed and efficiency is real time today. Especially for the short turnaround collaboration needs, you need to have real-time access. Here, there is no better tool of choice than VoIP.

VoIP is Nomadic:
VoIP is web based and characterizes flexibility as other collaboration applications. With VoIP, users can access both the company phone system and multiple modes of voice from any broadband connection. Thus, with its versatile nature, VoIP is an ideal tool for collaboration in today’s distributed workforces.

VoIP is Free (Near to free):
Nothing encourages adoption of technology more than making it free. While there are certain costs associated with using VoIP in the conventional manner (as part of your phone system), there are web-based VoIP applications that provide voice at little or no cost. This increases and eases the willingness of employees to collaborate outside of work.

VoIP is Easy Integration:
As telephony has moved into the data network, it can support more applications in the IP environment, making the collaboration experiences better. This definitely will increase adoption of VoIP technology.

Net Activity is a leading VoIP Phone Service Provider that installs and configures on premise based phone systems and IP based solutions.  If you wish to try their result-oriented services, please contact Harry Bhatia at 2165035150 X 206 or visit: http://www.netactivity.us/contact.html



Source: http://www.netactivity.us/blog/learn-5-ways-how-voip-drives-collaboration/

Tips to Choose a VoIP Service Provider That Does IT Right

In the recent times, VoIP service providers have crowded the market and made it difficult for businesses to choose the one that would actually do what they commit to. You may have made the toughest of your decisions while moving to VoIP services from the traditional phone set up and you would definitely not expect your business to face down times due to a poor telephone network.

Promoting managed IT services that save money and provide greater functionality, is like marketing of any other service, which means that the providers must take into consideration the time-honored factors of price, promotion & distribution. With all the sophistication in their pitching styles, it is possible for you to get trapped in a non-rewarding deal. So, we have stated a few points that to help you select a reliable VoIP service provider in Ohio.

Ask to explain things & talk out of the acronyms – The telephone technology is full of acronyms. They may be comfortable using terms like VoIP and PBX but you, as they may overwhelm a customer /the SMB owner. In a confused state, you may not even understand what they are trying to explain and consequently you may miss important details of the technology you will be using thereafter.

Demand a complete solution – Do not forget that you are on the demanding side. Understand the details of how the VoIP services offered by the provider will influence their businesses. Look at what’s unique in his offerings. Also, study their previous works and customer feedback so that you get a brief about past experiences of businesses like you with the service provider.

Plan & implement wisely – Ask the provider to spend a weekend at your business set up (pre-installation planning) to understand how the present system works and where is the need to rebuild things. A good installation plan will make the configuration easy for you. It really makes a difference.

Safety must be the first commitment – A recent study revealed that about 40% of the VoIP users did not have specific plans to secure their VoIP deployments. The end-points of your VoIP systems are vulnerable to attacks right from their operating systems to internet protocols and management interfaces of VoIP phones. It sounds scary; it also means that there is a lucrative chance for those who sell VoIP security services. Check if your VoIP provider includes a security plan in his package to cut down on the cost of hiring another provider selling security services.

Training as a part of service – Plug n play does not imply installing software and leaving the rest. The automation also requires users to be trained to know how the new software will help them reduce efforts. It is a bad idea to leave users baffled on a completely new set up of devices. Ensure that your VoIP provider will train you on using the VoIP systems.

Well, if you are convinced that these tips will help you build a better VoIP network that never fails, you may consider another advice from us. Contact Net Activity, Inc. for any assistance related to VoIP services.Net Activity has been in the business since 2002. The business caters to the IT industry by providing Hosted, IP based and On Premise Phone Systems. You can visit http://www.netactivity.us/contact.html  for fairly priced quotations of VoIP services or contact Harry Bhatia at 2165035150 X 206. We welcome your suggestions too.

Source: http://www.netactivity.us/blog/tips-to-choose-a-voip-service-provider-that-does-it-right/

7 Crazy Uses of VoIP You Never Thought About

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has set its roots in the business world and is growing rapidly. When introduced, VoIP’s benefits were well documented: financial savings for businesses, cheap and easy communication with businesses round the globe, quick file transfers, convenient expansion of networks, and many more. Despite these functionalities, VoIP allows users to do some crazy stuff too. We have listed a few of them, which you would have missed otherwise.

Record podcasts: This is interesting. You can record interviews for podcasts with your VoIP software by combining free, open source audio software like Audacity with the VoIP software. Simply select ‘stereo mix’ as your recording device and allow it to record your contact’s voice. Then, connect your mic and select it as a second recording device. Finally, just merge the two audios together.

Stay in touch with gamers globally: VoIP allows gamers all around the globe to connect with each other while playing team based games such as World of Wildcraft. One of the most popular, effective and lightweight VoIP services – ‘Mumble’ is ideal for gaming buddies using different operating systems.

Speak on your handset using Skype number: VoIP benefits you by allowing you pick your handset and speak to your beloved ones with your Skype account. You can also check your call history on the television or receive your voice mails when the computer is offline and send texts from your TV.

Book VoIP reminders: Schedule or remember when your next task is due. This functionality is widely used to ensure that you don’t miss important video meetings.

Keep records of client conversations: The VoIP calls are recorded more easily than the traditional calls, so that you can revisit the clauses discussed over the phone to avoid discrepancies.

Listen to the radio: Skype, one of the most popular VoIP platforms has a great add-on that allows you to listen to the popular streaming radio service Last.FM via the service. The app fuses Last.FM and Skype together, making it convenient to share the song you are listening to as a message on Skype. It helps keep interactions light with remote colleagues.

Hold a gigantic video conference/webinar free: While some services (like Google Hangouts) allow a limited number of participants (say 10) to attend a video call, some better alternatives are offering to fill in the gap. Now, it is possible for nearly 200 people to attend a discussion via VoIP apps.

The VoIP services can serve you more benefits than you would think of. So, if you haven’t yet thought about replacing your traditional phone lines, make the decision today. Net Activity is in the business of providing VoIP services to transform communications and improve business productivity. They have successfully helped many of their clients increase profits by reducing on their phone bills and easing communication methods. To avail their VoIP services, visit Net Activity or call Harry Bhatia at 2165035150 X 206.

Source: http://www.netactivity.us/blog/7-crazy-uses-of-voip-you-never-thought-about/