SIP here, SIP there, SIP everywhere

Last post we discussed a general overview of a newer technology that is taking our industry by storm, Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) trunks. Taylored Systems is using SIP trunks and we have found some great applications for the technology to be used. We have also found some applications where it might not be the best fit. Like any newer technology there are some great benefits, but on the other hand there are some issues that will need to be worked through. This is where your telecom and technology trusted advisor can step in and help sift through the acronyms and technical jargon to breakdown it down to a simple explanation to assist in making an educated decision.

 

Time for school….

 

Lesson 1- Advantages to SIP trunks over existing dial tone options

 

· Pay for what you use

o In a scenario where a company needs or wants Direct Inward Dial numbers (direct number rather than an being transferred to an extension), but does not need all 23 channels of a PRI (pronounced PRY) for dial tone they can use the number of SIP trunks they do need and still have the ability to give everyone a direct dial number in a more cost effective manner.

o There are some applications, depending on your SIP provider, where SIP trunks can be shared over multiple locations no matter where the locations are physically located. Also these trunks can be burstable, for instance if you have 40 SIP trunks for the entire company and someone needs a 41^st trunk to make a call, not a problem. If you go over your allotment the provider will give you the trunk for use at a per-minute rate. Very similar to cell phone minutes.

 

· Multi-device equipment or no added equipment

o When using a traditional TDM phone system with a PRI or Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS lines) the equipment within the phone system to make these types of dial tone lines work can only be used for those lines. When using SIP trunks on a TDM phone system there is still equipment that is needed, but it will be an IP card. So rather than buying a card that will only be used for your type of dial tone, with an IP card you can run more that just your dial tone. An IP card, normally 16 or 24 ports, can be used for SIP trunks, IP phones, networking, ACD voice assistant ports, and voicemail.

o When using a pure IP phone system with a PRI or POTS lines you will need to add a PRI card or a card for the POTS lines. However when using SIP on a pure IP system there is no need for extra equipment…

 

• SIP is native to the newer pure IP phone systems
  • A pure IP phone system is communicating within itself using SIP. When you bring in a SIP trunk and connect it to a SIP based system there are no conversions thus limited the chance of voice quality issues. When you connect a digital signal, such as a PRI, or an analog signal, such as POTS lines to a SIP based system you will have conversions from digital or analog to SIP, possibly causing some quality issues. I enlisted some help around our office when coming up with real world analogies and received two great ones which lead me to mine. I couldn’t pick from the 3 so here they all are…

1. When going SIP to SIP it is like taking a direct flight rather than a flight with stops and layovers. When you convert signals on the phone system the voice packets are like your luggage, the more stops and the more times it changes hands the more likely your luggage will not end up in its originally designed destination.

2. With Star Trek buzz in the air with this summer’s release you can imagine the SIP to SIP is like being “beamed up.” Obviously when you’re talking about matter being transported you wouldn’t want any conversions and would want the same quality as you would with voice packets being transported.

3. The prior example made me think of the comedy styling’s of Mel Brooks. There is a scene in Spaceballs when President Skroob is beamed from one room to another and when he reaches the destination his head facing one way and the rest of his body facing the other way….we wouldn’t want that to happen to your voice packets. They don’t have the option to just walk over to the next room like he does.

 

• Reduce Long Distance costs (Yes those magic words “reduce costs”)
  • When talking SIP to SIP you will eliminate long distance costs for internal communication without needing the phone systems to network or an MPLS or Point to Point connection.

 

Lesson 2- Issues to be aware of and talked about with your provider

 

• Bandwidth
  • Do you have enough bandwidth to handle both voice and data traffic?
  • Does your bandwidth have or have the ability to carry Quality of Service to the switch?
• Business essentials that do not work well with SIP
  • Fax Machines, Alarms, 911
    •  
      • Currently fax machines struggle with SIP services or any type of dynamic product. With faxing becoming less and less prevalent in today’s business world this might not be a huge deal. Due to email and scanners the fax machine could very well become the next answering machine.
      • Alarm companies will still require a direct POTs line for their systems
      • 911 can be come an issue. Talk with your provider to make sure you will be set up so your location that 911 will read is your actual location.

 

We understand all of the acronyms and the technical jargon can be overwhelming. Basically as an end user you should take away that there are options out there. When your dial tone contract comes up for renewal or expiration, what you have might not be the best fit, even if it was 3 years ago. The rate of change in the telecom, business telephones, and dial tone industry is amazing. Make sure your trusted advisor is on top of the new technology and can give you an accurate assessment of needs and what will be the best fit. Here in Indianapolis we have a whole plethora of options and providers, make sure you get what you need in the most cost effective manner.

 

This was Michael Martin’s latest conversation with Bill Taylor.