| Voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) phones | | | | building will see the huge benefit in being |
| have been commonplace in the workplace for | | | | able to move freely within a workspace, carry |
| several years now. As the technology begins | | | | out necessary communications, and accomplish |
| to make its way to the average consumer's | | | | more than one task at a given time. Retail |
| home, it's only fitting that some newer and | | | | stores also will see a huge advantage to |
| more exciting technology begins to replace | | | | using wireless VOIP phones, for much the same |
| existing VOIP systems in business and | | | | reason. The freedom to communicate with |
| industry. That is where wireless VOIP phones | | | | customers and business associates over the |
| enter the picture. Capitalizing and building | | | | phone, while still being able to travel |
| upon the efficiency, ease of use, and | | | | throughout the workplace has the potential to |
| cost-effectiveness of standard VOIP | | | | show an increase in work efficiency and time |
| technology, wireless VOIP technology has made | | | | management. Schools can also benefit by using |
| its entrance in many types of businesses, | | | | this technology. By providing staff, faculty, |
| giving employees everywhere more flexibility | | | | and security with wireless VOIP phones, |
| and communications options. And it looks like | | | | student data is accessible over the phone, |
| the technology is here to stay. | | | | school emergencies can be handled much more |
| | | | quickly and efficiently, and teachers can |
| The use of wireless VOIP phones is an obvious | | | | communicate with one another whether in a |
| and smart thing for retail businesses, | | | | classroom or in the cafeteria or on the |
| schools, and even hospitals to consider | | | | playground. |
| using. No longer is there a need for an | | | | |
| organization to have separate systems for | | | | The advantages of using this technology are |
| work (computer-based) and voice | | | | apparent. Besides the freedom it provides, |
| communications (telephone-based). | | | | wireless VOIP phone systems allow |
| Business-related work and communications can | | | | organizations to combine communications to |
| be all-inclusive. Wireless VOIP phone systems | | | | include phone communications, email, and text |
| give employees, especially those tied to a | | | | messaging, allowing them to work together in |
| phone throughout their work day, the freedom | | | | one system. This efficiency is a time saver, |
| to move about within their office building or | | | | as well as a money saver. Speaking of saving |
| complex, and still have the ability to | | | | money, organizations will find that they can |
| communicate with customers and business | | | | avoid lengthy contracts with phone companies |
| associates. For businesses and other | | | | in favor of wiring systems that give the |
| organizations that already have an IP | | | | businesses more options. |
| communication system in place, it is the next | | | | |
| logical step to move to wireless VOIP phones. | | | | There is a downside to this seemingly ideal |
| They operate in the same way as standard VOIP | | | | technology. In a wireless VOIP phone system, |
| phones, except that they function on a | | | | the number of calls that can be placed by |
| wireless local area network (WLAN). By | | | | callers at a time is limited. An access point |
| staying in range of a wireless connection at | | | | in a system can't handle more than a few |
| the site, a user can make and receive calls | | | | calls at a time. This limited capacity, |
| just as they can with standard VOIP phone | | | | therefore, has resulted in the inability for |
| systems. | | | | many types of businesses to use wireless VOIP |
| | | | phone technology. Businesses and industries |
| There are many specific types of | | | | that require huge volumes of communication on |
| organizations that can benefit from the use | | | | a constant basis would simply overload a |
| of wireless VOIP phones. Hospitals, for | | | | wireless network. Despite this limitation, |
| example, allow employees who spend a lot of | | | | technology will no doubt catch up in the near |
| their time on the telephone communicating | | | | future, and be able to provide wireless VOIP |
| with physicians, insurance companies, and | | | | phone service to every level of business and |
| with other hospital personnel within the | | | | industry, no matter how large. |