Implementing a telecommuting policy is easier then most businesses realize.
As soon as an owner hears VoIP they are ready to say it's too expensive but the fact is the cost of VoIP technology is going down. Typically the cost of a VoIP enabled phone system is only 30% higher then traditional phone systems. The per station cost of a VoIP phone system ca range from $ 750.00 per station to $ 1,500.00 per station. To implement a totally IP based phone system there can be additional costs including a network assessment where the integrity of LAN needs to be checked for quality of service (QOS). LANs , routers, switches and even data cabling need to be checked to see if it can handle VoIP.
Other ways to skin a cat. Besides implementing a totally IP solution where every phone has a static IP address there are also Hybrid IP phone systems. Hybrid phone systems can take advantage of both digital and IP technologies. Phones systems like Avaya IP Office and the Toshiba CTX systems can be configured for IP and digital telephones. Using both digital and IP technology can save your company thousands and you won't need a complete LAN over haul. Another advantage is hybrid systems can use existing CAT 3 or better phone cabling. The front end of the systems are IP enabled and connectivity to remote offices or branch offices can be done VoIP. So you don't have to have an IP phone on everyone's desk. At home workers use IP phones to connect back to the office. You end up with a remote worker with the same phone set features as any one with in the office. The hybrid system is redundant. You still have two networks both phone and data that work independent of each other. IP tech types might not dig this but who wants to reboot their phone system?
If you are on a shoe string budget and need VoIP this might interest you. You can add VoIP extension to any phone system! Multitech a manufacturer of modems also provides VoIP gateways that can connect voip extensions to your existing phone system through either spare analog or spare trunk ports. Of course with any VoIP solution, telecommuters will still need high speed internet access from home. But connectivity is easy and cheap. The cost for a single telecommuter or remote office is only a few hundred dollars. To find out more about implementing telecommuting call Ricardo Trinidad at 800-335-0229.