IP Telephony in Business - any good?

[RusCoder]

Actually, I'd like to learn whether it is being used in business in Europe and/or Americas? I mean in large corporations, banks and like this.
I'm asking that because in this country IP Telephony seems to become very popular: it helps to cut or at least control expenditures etc. Well, bookkeepers here adore it.

I personally don't think it looks very respectable but who knows. I may be getting old/archaic...

So your thoughts on the subject?

[RusCoder]

No reply

So nobody's using IP telephony?
Aren't you kidding?

Anyone?

[RichL]

Well my company specs buying 48 port Ethernet blades for our Cisco 6509's that support IP Telephony, but as far as I know we've no plans to actually use it.

[Greebe]

Telco rates in the US are very low + the added lack of understanding the technology/implementation of software and the lag factor in using it(can be very bad) typically prohibits it. In fact most business's don't have internet access. But then around every corner here there is a telephone... and lets not forget cellular phones.

Example of the latter, our cell phones run $60/m for 500 daytime/1500 nights and weekend minutes (shared) and unlimited cell to cell calls on the same plan... we've run over 4000+ calling cell to cell /m

I personally have used IP telephony just reciently and but only with one person... I can see adding more soon tho.

[RusCoder]

Thanks.
How about international calls?

[Greebe]

The prices I'm paying it's not bad... don't know about Business (commercial) calling rates but for residential it's rather cheap... example:

To call Ant it sets me back $0.09/m

a few others for reference...
Japan is $0.14
Canada is $0.07
Germany is $0.15


Compared to some of the rates I've seen these are high... like at least double in some cases

go checkout... http://abtolls.com

[Helevitia]

Re: IP Telephony in Business - any good?

Originally posted by RusCoder
Actually, I'd like to learn whether it is being used in business in Europe and/or Americas? I mean in large corporations, banks and like this.
I'm asking that because in this country IP Telephony seems to become very popular: it helps to cut or at least control expenditures etc. Well, bookkeepers here adore it.

I personally don't think it looks very respectable but who knows. I may be getting old/archaic...

So your thoughts on the subject?

Well, I know for a fact it is being used in many big corps and it will eventually replace the old analog systems. There are many peices that make it very compatible with older setups so the transition is fairly easy. The clarity of it is absolutely amazing and the Cisco IP phones are really nice. It really starts to save money when you have sites in large geoprahical locations aroudn the world adn you can just make calls going over your normal network.
I'm not sure what you mean about it not looking respectable? I use an IP phone everyday and it is superior to analog phones in many ways. For one thing, the clarity blows analog away. Talking to someone from US to say Europe is no different than local calls because its digital The phones can do so much more and have many features an analog phone system can't. For example, I can check stock quotes, have my entire company directy on the phone, a full calender and set appts. etc... Not only that but you can install what is called a softphone on your PC and wherever you plug in your laptop, as long as it is connecting ot you companies network, you have your phone with you

Dave

[Helevitia]

Originally posted by RichL
Well my company specs buying 48 port Ethernet blades for our Cisco 6509's that support IP Telephony, but as far as I know we've no plans to actually use it.

Yeah, the blade you are reffering to, the 6348 can support phones or not, just depends on how you order it.

Dave

[Greebe]

I knew I should have asked "Mr. Cisco"

[RusCoder]

Helevitia
I'm not sure what you mean about it not looking respectable?

In this country people are sometimes such pompous, you know
You have to economize -> you've got problems -> let's search for another partner, that sort of attitude.

Helevitia
I use an IP phone everyday and it is superior to analog phones in many ways.

Well, it's clear to me now: I proved wrong.
In fact, I'm about to implement an IP Telephony project at my office but so far I've felt myself unwilling to do so...

Greebe
a few others for reference...
Japan is $0.14
Canada is $0.07
Germany is $0.15

U.S. $0.20 (from here)

All
Thanks.
Due to to you timely responces I've been deprived of last excuses for putting off the project

[xortam]

Like your sig RusCoder. Reminds me of my University professor who had a model of a computer he called TOM (Totally Obedient Moron).