Unless your clients have just returned from a stint on Mars, there is every chance they will already have used VoIP, though they may not call it that. VoIP, or Internet telephony, has been one of the undoubted technology success stories of the last few years. Skype alone claims 200 million users, many of whom work in small and mid-sized businesses.

Office Communication Server isn’t for every small business and it isn’t always straightforward to implement, but when it’s a good fit the rich features offer obvious benefits you can sell.

Video conferencing technology has never been so cheap or so effective: what can it do for your small business customers?

 

Reselling services represent a significant – and growing – part of the business for many IT consultants. Margins on IT hardware, and to a lesser extent, software, have fallen steadily. The fees that can be charged for higher-value work, such as code customisation and application testing, have also come under pressure, not least because of competition from suppliers in markets such as India or Eastern Europe and Russia.

For business, IP telephony and voice over IP is starting to displace conventional phone services. According to industry analysts Forrester, as many as 47% of businesses in Europe and the US have either deployed, or are rolling out, an IP-based phone system.

Save money by connecting an IP PABX to Skype for low cost international calls from IP desk phones, not just PCs.

For growing businesses, an on-premise IP PBX offers flexibility and room for growth. But how do you pick the right set up for clients?

Many businesses are now using VOIP SIP connections to deliver IP telephony to user desktops or IP phones. However, until recently the popular low-cost Skype VOIP service hasn’t been compatible with SIP telephony, ?without using third-party tools like those from 3CX.