Hosted

Link3 IP Telephone allows a business to benefit from the ability to make calls cheaply and send data easily. Both onsite and hosted IP Telephone systems work on the same principles, but there are some significant differences. In the onsite IP telephony system, the service is maintained on-site, which entails that all the equipment is installed and maintained at the company premises. In the hosted option, the only equipment installed on site is the IP phones and the soft phones and all the other hardware is hosted in Link3. The hosted option is especially suited to client premises as there is hardly any maintenance needed by the company, as everything is taken care of by Link3.

The hosted IP Telephone system works:

• The telephone network is controlled on an application server over the Internet/Intranet
• The system transforms analog signals into digital packets and transmits it over the Internet/Intranet
• From the Internet/intranet, the call is then transmitted to the Hosted IP Telephone platform and then switched to the PSTN network or a different VoIP terminal
• The telephones could be IP or analog, but the latter equipment would need adaptors to work With the VoIP system

The establishment of this type of IP Telephone service does not require a large investment, as the equipment remains with the service provider who ensures proper functioning as well as maintenance. Any problem is resolved remotely and any redundancy or backup is provided in the same way. These areas would have necessitated a lot of expense if the equipment were on the premises. The phones need to be bought or leased as and when needed and the entire system grows together with your future needs. No additional recruitment of staff has to be done, as everything is taken care of by the service provider.

The advantages of a Hosted IP Telephone system are given below:

• Fewer capital expenses: Since there is no PBX system to install and maintain on the premises, there is much less expenditure on infrastructure and labor, besides considerable savings in time.
• Enhanced Flexibility: New extensions can be added and other outdated ones removed just by a request made via your online management portal, with no physical tinkering with equipment on the premises.
• No Maintenance: Regular and routine maintenance is needed for all telecommunication equipment and the responsibility falls on the company IT department. In the Hosted IP Telephone option, the hassle and cost of this requirement is eliminated, as the service provider's trained experts manage these.
• Easy and seamless scalability: In the onsite system, the in-house PBX would eventually have to be replaced if a larger system is needed, as these are designed with a particular range of user numbers in mind. In the Hosted PBX system however, the additional numbers are easily and seamlessly accommodated within the existing structure.
• Automatic upgrades: As IP Telephone technology is an evolving field of telecommunications, there are constant innovations to existing structures. If an organization has on-site equipment that could mean disruption and additional expense, if any upgrade is undertaken. In the case of a hosted system however, the company can benefit from the best value additions that the vendor has to offer, on a continuous basis.