Voice over Internet Protocol

Confused about VoIP? You're not alone. VoIP lets you make telephone calls over the Internet instead of standard telephone lines – and save money on phone bills in the process. It sounds simple enough, but a seemingly endless array of products – from basic freebies like Skype to full-blown systems with PBX features like voicemail, call forwarding and unified messaging – makes for a lot of confusion. Come on in. We'll sort it all out.

[August 11, 2010] Virtual Office Pro from 8x8 isn’t perfect, but if you're looking for an affordable way to add unified communications capabilities to your business communications system, it does the job.

[August 10, 2010] Internet-based fax services offer lots of convenient features for small businesses, and they're the best option for companies with VoIP phone systems. We show you why.

[August 4, 2010] Whether you're looking for on-site business communications or a system that works in the cloud, Fonality has hosted PBX options worth considering.

[May 20, 2010] Despite Microsoft's attempt to get in on the ground floor of small business unified communications, the company now admits it was a losing battle.

[October 23, 2009] The phone has always been a critical tool for sales people, but M5 Networks takes it to the next level by integrating hosted PBX with customer relationship software. Can you say sales efficiency?

[April 23, 2009] Part 5 of Phone for Rent: Understanding Hosted PBX Services — This veteran provider offers a full panoply of IP communications services including voice, video, data, call center, and professional management.

[April 22, 2009] The voice-over-Internet service can help SMBs save money, especially on overseas calls, but you need to understand the risks involved to make an informed decision.

[April 22, 2009] Part 4 of Phone for Rent: Understanding Hosted PBX Services — Veteran provider Aptela can get a small company up and running in a matter of days.

[April 21, 2009] Part 3 of Phone for Rent: Understanding Hosted PBX Services – We break down the market, and provide a checklist of important questions to ask before signing up.

[April 20, 2009] Part 2 of Phone for Rent: Understanding Hosted VoIP Services – Hosted PBX offers advantages—such as lower capex—and possible disadvantages—like increased exposure to outages—but the pros outweigh the cons for many.

[April 17, 2009] Part 1 of Phone for Rent: Understanding Hosted VoIP Services – Today's hosted voice services evolved out of the marriage between the corporate PBX and the global, interconnected IP network we call the Internet.

[February 2, 2009] Our roster of winners includes the best tools to help small business owners curb costs and improve efficiency. Whether you're looking for hardware, applications, security or e-commerce technology, the top vote-getters deliver the goods.

[October 22, 2008] A hosted phone system offers high-end communication features without the hefty up-front investment, but is it right for your business? Here's what you need to know.

[July 22, 2008] The first encounter with a VoIP was a real 'bungle in the jungle' for AmaZulu, a company that sells thatch and bamboo products. Read how Cisco brought a little peace back to paradise.

[June 5, 2008] We look at a company that found satisfaction, serious features and significant savings when it outsourced its phone system to a hosted PBX service.

[March 25, 2008] Microsoft plans to roll out later this year the first service pack for Microsoft Response Point VoIP phone system for small business.

[February 28, 2008] If you want a phone system that projects a professional business image and lets customers reach you no matter where you travel, Phone.com offers a simple, and (mostly) affordable alternative.

[December 4, 2007] The hosted-PBX company said its latest customizable features, SmartID and Recording Manager, give very small businesses a better way to manage incoming calls.

[September 20, 2007] The Plantronics Calisto Pro cordless phone lets you access your landline, Bluetooth-equipped cell phone and Skype service all through one elegantly designed handset/headset combination.

[July 31, 2007] Expanding beyond its home-networking roots, Linksys designed a two-tiered program specifically for small businesses. What can the Connected Office do for you?

[July 19, 2007] The good news is that today you have multiple ways to communicate with your customers. The challenge is managing them all. To help your customers best reach you when they need you, we look at the many unified communications options available to SMBs.

[March 19, 2007] Microsoft kicks off the first day of its National Small Business Summit by announcing new software aimed at simplifying phone systems for small businesses.

[February 26, 2007] Netgear's Cordless Internet Phone with Skype lets you roam your home or office wirelessly and route your calls over either the Internet or traditional landlines.

[February 22, 2007] Former AT&T veterans say big carriers poorly serve small businesses that lack IT staff, so they've formed Sotto to assist with VoIP.

[October 10, 2006] Tired of Skype keeping you tethered to your computer just to save money on phone calls? Netgear offers a wireless handset. But is it worth the big bucks?

[September 6, 2006] You don't need Skype to use this slick phone sold by the SIP-based VoIP vendors. You will, however, need to keep the power charger close.

[July 27, 2006] Setting up a small voice network with both analog and IP phone service is easy. An interface card, some software and IP phones are all you need.

[April 10, 2006] Look for upgrades to the fast-growing wireless broadband tech, used by Verizon Wireless and others, to speed things up enough for VoIP.

[March 23, 2006] Although it's arriving a little late to the voice-over-Internet-protocol game, Yahoo claims its services is more feature-rich and less expensive similar services from Skype, AOL and Microsoft.

[March 10, 2006] AdTran announces SMB switch/router that provides IP PBX, data networking, Internet communications, VPN, firewall, and QoS — all in one device.

[January 30, 2006] As more people learn about and understand the benefit of P2P VoIP, a tsunami of supporting hardware products is about to flood the market.

[January 26, 2006] A lower-cost, VoIP-based phone system convinced one retailer to take a chance on new technology — but it's the performance that keeps him happy.

[November 16, 2005] Who wouldn't want to pay less for their phone service? That's just one of the advantages VoIP can offer small business, but it helps to understand what the technology is, how it works and how proper planning makes all the difference between success and failure.

[November 7, 2005] Until someone ships a phone with true cellular/Wi-Fi convergence, this VoIP unit for connecting at some (but not all) WLANs and hotspots could be the best way to make cheap calls on the road.