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As VoIP technologies continue to evolve and improve, more businesses are opting to join the bandwagon and migrating to more cost-efficient and flexible broadband telephony. Most of these companies consider the cost factor as the main attraction for getting into VoIP, though the possibility of converged and streamlined operations that VoIP brings along makes the decision-making process much easier. However, it is important for companies to take stock and study their existing setup, not only for data and voice telecommunications but also operations-wise, before plunging head-on to a VoIP system. The system-wide analysis must include considering procedures that might be affected during the migration to VoIP to ensure that adequate safety nets are in place to minimize disruptions. A more important matter that must be considered during this time is whether the network currently in place is sufficient and ready for VoIP, as migrating to VoIP takes more than just plugging in VoIP phone hardware to existing LAN ports or access points. The following are some steps one must do to ensure that the existing network is VoIP-worthy: 1. Make a network diagram and identify cable types, devices, and connections to remote sites or the Internet. This would give network designers a good idea of the flow of data within the system. Note that most networks started out from a simple topology that gradually grows into a complex system with combined various networking topologies. Each of these network types has its pros and cons in VoIP implementation and mapping them out makes it easier to troubleshoot future problems. 2. Analyze the existing LAN, making sure to identify hardware and software components that may bring about latency or jitter. For example, an obsolescent switch or an out-of-date hub driver may substantially downgrade performance of an otherwise fast and reliable network. One must ensure that old parts are replaced and each hardware component is upgraded to the latest available firmware for optimum VoIP performance. 3. List all the devices such as printers or routers attached to the network. This is necessary as each device installed undoubtedly impacts the entire system: moving a large file, streaming video, or querying a database across the LAN would reduce the bandwidth available for making a concurrent VoIP call. Noting all these devices and their bandwidth requirements would enable network architects to plan for adequate system bandwidth or otherwise design separate subnets for VoIP traffic to ensure minimal interference. 4. Audit previous telephone usage to determine data that are important in determining which subscription bundle would work best for the business. The data include the maximum concurrent calls, calls per second rate, packet sample size, peak usage and peak download times, among others. 5. Identify specific features that will be required in a VoIP setting such as DTMF (touch tone) dialling, fax transmission and emergency calling capabilities to ensure these are sufficiently addressed. With all these steps taken, the shift to a VoIP system would surely become less problematic. Though most people would hope for a truly seamless transfer, this is quite impossible to achieve in the real world and, thus, planning for the best yet still preparing for the worst is the way to go when migrating to VoIP
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Saiju George is an IP communications and hosted business software entrepreneur. He specializes in hosted IP PBX and SIP provider technologies.
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