Communication Methods

Question 1

What is VoIP Communication?

Answer 1

VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol is where people use an internet connection to make a phone call, where the data is sent as packets rather than using a conventional phone network

Question 2

What is VoIP Business Application?

Answer 2

There is a range of VoIP hardware and software available to allow users to make telephone calls using internet protocol which has benefits and limitations

Question 3

What is an Alternative Communication Methods?

Answer 3

The caste study stated the need to research ‘Communication methods including VoIP’ so it’s also necessary to investigate other communication methods to enable staff to work st home

Question 4

Give an example of an approach used by a VoIP Communications

Answer 4

VoIP telephones- Similar to traditional phones but connected to a PC
Mobile phones- Use a VoIP application
Computer based VoIP- Connections made between two or more computers
Circuit switching - Traditional phone network where a call uses a switched connection during the call
Packet switiching - Where data is divided into blocks and routed through a series of paths

Question 5

What is VoIP communication based on?

Answer 5

Packet switiching using TCP/IP protocols

Question 6

Give an example of a VoIP Business app

Answer 6

PBX (Private Branch Exchange) - Businesses use this to allow office staff to make external phone calls via shared lines and to communicate internally with each other
VoIP gateway- Used to transmit and receive voice communication using internet Protocol
Softphone-of Used for making VoIP calls from a PC or mobile device (a software application)

Question 7

Give a few examples of what VoIP gateway providers usually offer as additional services

Answer 7

Caller ID- Caller number is displayed
Call Waiting - Put a call on hold when another call is made
Three way Confrence call - Can speak to two people in different locations at the same time
Last number redial - automatically dial the last incoming call
Call forwarding - forward an incoming call to another number
Send to voicemail - S/E
Play messages- Plays an individual out of office messages
Phone call recording - Option to record a call for future playback

Question 8

Give some advantages of using VoIP telephone systems

Answer 8

• Lower call costs/ Cheaper or even free to use so large savings can be made
• Phone line installation/-Staff can use a broadband connection at their computing device in any location
• Security/ Encrypted connections offer caller privacy
• Mobility/Team at Progress Leisure are constantly connected to work phone line when they’re at home

Question 9

Give some disadvantages of VoIP telephone systems

Answer 9

• Broadband connection dependence/ can only connect calls when there’s a broadband connection
• Latency/ quality can be poor due to time delays and too much latency causes a talk over problem (when one person thinks the other stopped talking so they talk over each other)
• Jitter/ where data packets arrive in the wrong order and there’s a time delay while they’re sorted into the right one
• Data picket loss- Sometimes these can be lost or arrive late causing a loss of some parts of a conversation or breaking up the flow of text

Question 10

List some alternative communication methods that allow staff to work from home

Answer 10

• Short messaging service (SMS)
• Instant messaging
• Email
• Intranet