Virtual Office Application for OnSip and Polycom IP Phones

Ars Technica’s “Ask Ars” feature answers a readers plea for help implementing a business VoIP service for his virtual home office.

Ars Technica explains their use of OnSIP plus Polycom IP phones with such exceptional conference call clarity they joke about “holding staff calls just to enjoy the experience.”  And when it comes to finding a a VoIP service provider, you’re in luck, there’s too many to choose from however:

The bad news is that finding a decent VoIP service for your startup or business is a lot like buying a new cellphone. There are lots of options to choose from, and with a myriad of add-ons and pricing plans, it can be difficult to tell them apart.

It’s Your Call

In this nicely detailed insight, Ask Ars provides a starting point and a few service comparisons to consider:

• A PBX Primer:  In traditional offices a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) handles all incoming, outgoting, and internal calls.   Routing VoIP calls through the internet allows any employee with an online connection to become part of your internal, virtual PBX network.
• OnSIP:  This popular service offers both virtual PBX and VoIP functionality with (3) pricing tiers for SoHo, Small Business, and Medium Business.
• Aptela and 8×8:  Similar to OnSIP but different, these two calling packages are outlined.
• Phonebooth:  A newer VoIP service from Bandwidth.com, this flat-rate montly fee service is examined.

Via Ars Technica