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Check VOIP's true costs before the deal is done

12.12.2005
Find out the true cost of moving to IP telephony before making any final decision, because it is rare to find companies that have actually achieved any real savings, according to Ericsson enterprise division director Chris Pattas.

Claiming he is yet to find an organization that delivered ROI by moving to VOIP, Pattas said it isn't simply about the cost of the handset; the public network is still not IP ready.

"If you can afford to spend A$1000 [US$751] a seat then fine go to VOIP; if a supplier tells you it will cost anything less they are lying," he said.

While Pattas admits the "world is going IP", it is critical to make the move at the right time.

"Unless you are moving site to new offices or planning a data network upgrade then it may not be the right time to migrate to VOIP," he said. "Obviously there is little point in buying TDM technology, but be prepared for hefty power bills."

Pattas said VOIP uses four times more power than TDM and most contact center apps already have the same functionality so migration isn't always the ideal solution.