The Changing Face of Communications.
Today’s business climate calls for reliability, agility and flexibility. To deliver on these core goals, telephone systems companies need to communicate more effectively with their customers. It is also essential that the wider world continues to be accepting of new technology, future-ready and fit for purpose. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Many companies are still relying on traditional Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) technology. These telephone systems have been essential for business communications in the past. However, they are becoming increasingly obsolete in modern business environments.
Traditional Telephone Systems are Dying Out!
Among telecommunications experts, it is well known that ISDN technology is starting to die out. In fact, BT intend to switch their ISDN network off entirely as soon as 2025. The overall consensus among telecoms companies is that ISDN will be as good as gone in as little as five years. However, many businesses are still relying on this outdated, obsolete technology for their telephone systems.
What Are ISDN Telephone Systems?
ISDN is a communications network that relies heavily on physical infrastructure, specifically copper wiring. The main reason these communication and telephone systems became so popular is that they provide the opportunity to transmit voice and data over the same lines. Due to its reliance on physical infrastructure, adapting or altering these systems is extremely costly. When it breaks, it also means there isn’t a quick solution.
What Can You Replace ISDN Telephone Systems with?
The future-ready solution is SIP trunking. SIP telephone systems are a ready-made replacement for ISDN. They will connect a business’ PBX to their provider’s national network via:
- Broadband.
- Ethernet.
- Private Circuit.
SIP emerged through a growing need for reliable, flexible and scalable communications technology that enables growing businesses to manage communications effectively in line with demand and is already prepared for voice and data convergence further down the line.
Why are Businesses Making the Switch to SIP?
There are three main reasons SMEs, and even larger businesses, are making the move to SIP telephone systems. These are:
- Cost.
- Growth.
- System Reliability.
One SIP Channel Can Cost 50% of the ISDN Equivalent.
SIP trunking is less costly per channel than the equivalent line rental for ISDN systems. These solutions can also deliver savings on call costs. Most SIP packages include minutes as part of the overall monthly fee. SIP trunking requires less of a physical infrastructure than traditional telephone systems. As such, it can be cheaper to install, adapt and maintain that ISDN solutions.
Additional SIP Trunks Can be Added in Less Than a Minute.
The beauty of SIP is that the addition of new lines and new office locations becomes a simple, pain free process. Number flexibility with SIP trunking ensures that if you are changing office completely, you can keep your existing numbers, even if you are moving to a different geographic location.
ISDN Systems Can be Down for Days!
SIP ensure that if something goes awry, business continuity can be maintained, with instant fail-over of voice traffic on to a different line or call plans that can include immediate redirection of calls to different hunt groups, office locations or even mobiles.
Quite simply, SIP Trunking is a more efficient and less costly solution than ISDN and Switch systems. Here at Datasharp Central, we can make it as easy as possible to adapt your business’ communications systems to suit your needs. We’re able to deliver a complete service to help you overcome your existing telephone system’s issues. Thanks to our 3-step process, we can update any business’ telephone systems.
Step 1 – Scope the Job
We work with you to find out what the telephone systems change will look like for your business. This may be a wholesale switch in one move, a phased branch by branch transition, or even floor by floor. SIP can work alongside ISDN, so the switch needn’t be fraught with the panic of turning one system off and another on at the same time. Costing will also be included within this part of the process. During this period there should be little or no disturbance to your business. And any tests or checks can be carried out in a controlled environment.
Step 2 – Audit the Current Infrastructure
A big part of the process for the switch to SIP will be auditing current infrastructure and network capacity. Essentially, this information is required to devise the optimum service provision required to meet business demands. This can include the available bandwidth on the existing data connectivity, to decide if additional or dedicated connections are required to carry voice traffic. As with any audit, it will be a case of check and check again to ensure everything is accounted for.
Step 3 – Installing the New System
The next step will be to begin installation. As SIP trunking comes with less physical infrastructure than ISDN, you will notice a substantial change in what equipment if any needs be stored and maintained on site. Also, because SIP can work alongside ISDN whilst the installation is taking place, there should not be any real disturbance to your business systems during this stage of the process.
Contact Datasharp Central for Modern Telephone Systems in the UK
With the cost saving potential of SIP trunking, as well as its resilience and reliability, it is the common-sense option for any organisation looking to be truly always on, and to provide customers with a first-class experience. The benefits of moving to SIP trunking can transform business communications and the process of switching is simple.
For more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced team today. You can reach our experts directly by calling us on 0800 027 9875. If you prefer, you can send any questions or concerns you might have through our simple online contact form. Our telecommunications experts will get back to you as soon as possible.