The Internet of Things (IoT), a growth of Internet-enabled devices, has been reshaping the business world for years, and the best is yet to come. The radical paradigm shift is about to turbocharge how enterprises and consumers use Voice over IP (VoIP) telephony. Whilst VoIP is gaining momentum as the technology foundation for phone system offerings, IoT provides new platform opportunities with new upsides for VoIP users. The synergy of the two would further drive the development of smart homes, smart offices, and smarter telephony solutions.
Internet of Things:
IoT strives to make our lives easier. It comes to fill the gap where humans aren’t good at capturing data about their surroundings, with 24h attention and absolute accuracy. It builds a fabric of connectivity where data of different devices are auto exchanged and analyzed to offer smart automation and device control.
VoIP’s IoT Potentials
IoT is connecting the tons of everyday appliances to provide a better, smarter world. Most of the IoT devices use the Internet Protocol (IP) to provide functionality and information. And VoIP intersects with IoT technology on this point. That’s why embedding VoIP services into IoT solutions isn’t pie-in-the-sky and is happening.
With the IoT, the value proposition of VoIP services will only broaden. It is making an impact on the world of VoIP by providing businesses with even more functionality from their phone networks.
VoIP and the IoT can work together to provide numerous solutions and advancements. Some examples of these solutions are outlined below.
- Security and access
VoIP endpoints can play a proactive role in keeping any location safe and secure while also controlling access to that facility.
IoT imaging devices like IP security cameras and door access systems can be configured as VoIP endpoints and be called from any internet-connected device to view live feeds. These security devices can also be set to automatically call and notify IP phones when any security events occur. For example, when visitors arrive, a door access system connected to the VoIP network can initiate a call to notify users to decide whether to allow or restrict access.
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Smart Office
VoIP allows businesses to work at any location and from any device. When connected to IoT, this ability will be maximized. By connecting IoT and VoIP, businesses can build smart offices that allow them to significantly improve their efficiency and performance.
For example, your on-the-go workers can connect their VoIP softphone with office equipment like printer, fax machine, and desk phones, so they can leverage office resources anywhere to remain productive. Another example, which is commonly deployed by businesses today, is to integrate a VoIP system with business CRM platforms. With the integration, salespeople can pull customer data upon a customer call to facilitate the sales process.
Applications alike abound. As IoT being increasingly ingrained in the everyday experience, the interaction between VoIP and IoT could be pivotal for business efficiency.
- Smart Home
Smart Home is one of the first technology arenas where VoIP and IoT combination could make a difference. The all-encompassing interconnectedness of VoIP devices and other household appliances will facilitate the control of home security, smart thermostat, lighting, etc.
Here’re some examples of how IoT can work in the background using a VoIP phone system to automate smart home services.
- By connecting your mobile device to your thermostat, you can adjust the temperature from your phone anywhere with an Internet connection.
- A refrigerator takes an inventory of all its current items. The connected appliance then sends a list to a shopper’s VoIP phone to inform him/her of what is needed from the grocery store.
- Being connected to VoIP numbers and devices, cars can notify about mechanic service when needed.
The Bottom Line
VoIP itself has made a revolution by providing businesses with a high amount of cost-savings, increased productivity, and an ultimate level of mobility and flexibility. And all of these advantages can be supplemented with the capabilities that IoT applications enable.
While VoIP and IoT have not been fully integrated yet, the potential is there. The synergy between the two is the natural path of progression for both, and will undoubtedly play a significant role in all of our lives in the future.
Do you consider using VoIP and IoT solutions for your business?
Sources:
https://www.idtexpress.com/blog/the-future-of-voip-is-in-the-iot/
