IP Centrex 'appealing to larger firms'
Hosted VoIP services such as IP Centrex are becoming increasingly popular among businesses of all sizes during the recession.
Initial uptake of the technology generally involved smaller firms with limited space and resources, as industry expert Tim Greene noted in an article for networkworld.com in October 2007.
He explained that IP Centrex appeals to small organisations who often lack the technical staff and budget to maintain and upgrade a business phone network.
"They simply can't afford an investment in running a private phone network," Mr Greene said.
"With service providers providing and managing all the gear Centrex requires, capital outlay is minimal, as is the level of expertise needed to make the phones work."
In an attempt to explain why larger companies have appeared reluctant to follow their smaller counterparts in adopting hosted services such as IP Centrex, tmcnet.com's Huw Rees recently pointed to the "fear of the unknown and resistance to change" which he believes contributes to "an inherent inertia" within many major businesses.
However, a large number of those firms have been forced into action by the onset of the recession, meaning that many more businesses are now looking to hosted solutions as a cost-saving measure.
"No longer can they accept the status quo; they must look for ways to cut costs and become more efficient. For hosted VoIP providers, this is an opportunity that had not previously been afforded," Mr Rees commented.
A recent announcement from the German arm of mobile phone network Telefonica O2 confirms that IP Centrex and converged IP solutions are becoming a viable option for large organisations.
Last week, the company unveiled details of a new converged IP network and VoIP application server provided by Swedish firm Ericsson.
O2 explained that "the integration of the VoIP service will make services such as IP Centrex, business trunking or presence functionality available to all fixed and mobile users";.
As big businesses slowly catch on to the advantages of hosted VoIP services, smaller firms will continue to save money and boost their productivity by embracing the technology.
Australian newspaper the Age recently interviewed Andrew Wall, a partner in a small Sydney-based advertising firm, about his company's move to a hosted VoIP solution.
He explained that moving premises provided his business with an opportunity to upgrade their telephony service with a hosted solution, rather than replacing old PBX hardware.
"It was attractive to have all phones, broadband internet and voicemail on the same service, not have to buy any equipment and do all the cabling in one," Mr Wall said.
"With outsourcing we wouldn't end up with something obsolete - an old box in a corner in the future."
If you would like more information on 8el's hosted VoIP solution, please call our sales team on 0118 338 3062 or email info@8el.com.
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