Voice over IP has been hailed the 'next big thing' in telecoms for years now but in recent months we’re finally seeing evidence that CIOs and IT departments are embracing the technology. So what do businesses need to know about VoIP? silicon.com looks at where it has flourished, where it has failed to live up to its promise and where it’s headed in future.
Leader
Leader: VoIP and SMEs - a good match?
Small-timers avoiding IP telephony may be smarter than they seem
Leader
Leader: Give Skype a break
If businesses are uncomfortable with Skype's potential security threats, their IT directors should keep a close eye on network traffic or ban Skype's use at the office - and choose a VoIP product intended for corporate use. But the truth is for most home users - and many small businesses - it works just fine.
Leader
Leader: eBay - don't squash Skype
Or you'll be killing the very thing you paid billions for...
Leader
Leader: Google - good luck
It's not going to be easy to be the best at IM
Comment
Boardroom Despatches: Two groups to sanity check tech
Look to teenagers and developing markets...
Comment
VoIP: Don't forget about security
VoIP has many upsides but moving your telephony system to a packet-based network could leave you at the mercy of hackers. Danny Bradbury looks at how to properly secure a corporate IP telephony system against known and unknown threats.
Comment
VoIP handsets: Greater choice means greater complexity
It used to be that handsets came as part of any IP telephony system. But with the advent of SIP, businesses have a number of options to choose from. Ben King tells you what to look for in this key VoIP component.
Case Study
Pru calls in VoIP to improve customer service
Financial services giant Prudential is implementing internet telephony at its call centres as part of its plans to boost customer satisfaction by making sure they don't have to hold on the line for too long
Copyright © 2008 CBS Interactive Limited. All rights reserved. Top of page
