Next Generation Networks at a glance

Next Generation Networks (NGNs), orAll-IP, are the future of voice and datacommunications. Both worlds areconnected in a common network.Voice-over-IP (VoIP) connections arethe successors to ISDN and analogconnections. In other words, phonecalls are made through an IP-basedinternet connection.

A separate telephone connection orNTBAs are no longer needed. A NGN ischaracterized by all services usingthe same common infrastructure withone standardized protocol. In thefuture, IT and telephony are no longertwo separate areas, but share thesame hardware.

All important standards for UnifiedCommunications (UC) are defined bymeans of the Internet protocol (IP).Other protocols build on IP, such asthe Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) forestablishing a telephone connection.For the infrastructure in yourcompany, this means that all phonesrequire only a single connection to thenetwork for using the services itprovides.

With IP-based connections, themigration to VoIP offers greatopportunities for companies to makeprocesses much more efficient andmerge the different forms ofcommunication with each other.

ISDN becomes SIP trunks

SIP is the most widely used connectionprotocol for IP telephony. SIP trunksare usually offered by Internet serviceproviders (ISPs) and replace all typesof analog and ISDN connections.

Whereas the number of lines is limitedfor traditional analog and ISDN,usually any number of lines and phonenumbers can be booked from SIP trunkproviders. This is a purely virtualservice. The expansion of existing SIPtrunks is usually done with a singleclick in the web interface of the ISP, ora phone call. ISPs provide more flexibleterms than analog or ISDN providers.Instead of two channels per ISDN BRIline or 32 channels per ISDN PRI line,any additional number of lines andnumbers can be booked usuallywithout signing long-lasting contracts.

Time is ticking for analog phone systemsHow to optimally prepare your business for Voice-over-IP

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The migration from analog or ISDN to Voice-over-IP can lead tosignificant changes in business communications. For privatecustomers, the migration is generally easy to implement. Manycompanies, however, face far-reaching changes. Join us on ourjourney into the future of IP communications.

Fig.: beroNet analog-SIP gateway

A typical business telecommunicationsenvironment does not only consist ofthe actual phone system and phones,but many other components. Doorintercoms or alarm systems are oftenalso connected to the phone systemand in some cases even have theirown telephone line.

Migration master plan

As with all strategically importantprojects, companies must first obtainan overview and determine the stateof the existing telecommunicationsinfrastructure. In addition to thetelephone system, this includes thetelecommunications periphery thathas been mentioned in the previoussection. The duration of ongoingmaintenance and service contractsalso need to be considered.

If it has not been done yet, thecompany should create a plan for thefurther development of theirtelecommunications infrastructure.The strategic planning points toimmediate and intermediate-terminvestment. Before the move to VoIP, afundamental decision needs to bedone: to either continue to use yourcurrent PBX hardware and build abridge to the new technology, or tomigrate completely to NGNs instead.

If you would like to continue using yourcurrent hardware, additional hardwaresuch as gateways or interface cardscan translate between your ISDNphone system, analog devices, andthe new VoIP connections. This allowsyou to use the devices of your currenttelecommunications infrastructuremostly unchanged. However, you getthe full NGN functionality range onlyby completely migrating yourinfrastructure and devices.

Even blocks of 1000 phone numbers,which were so far an exclusive featureof PRI lines, can be booked with SIPtrunks. For additional voice channels,no physical connections are required.Porting phone numbers of existinganalog or ISDN lines towards IPtelephony, is also not a problem.Since the numbers are no longerwired, they can be passed betweenvendors with little effort. Many SIPproviders even offer this service forfree. It is also possible to registerforeign SIP trunks to offer local phonenumbers to customers abroad, or tocall abroad at a reduced rate.

LAN now also does telephony

VoIP uses the infrastructure of thedata network (LAN) to connect andoperate all devices, such as IP PBXand IP phones. NTBAs and splittersare eliminated, as well as separatecabling for the telephone system.Instead of expensive phones that arecompatible with only one type of PBX,users can now choose between a widerange of IP and soft phones thanks toopen standards. Devices and servicescan be used flexibly from anywhere inthe network. In short, the userreceives more performance, whereascosts are reduced.

No need to fear the change

Many companies still hesitate toswitch to VoIP. Some fear the highworkload, or do not want to replacetheir current phone system that mayhave been taken into operation justrecently. Others expect problemswith their telecommunicationsinfrastructure, as fax machines orelectronic cash terminals can not bereplaced overnight.

Fig.: Snom IP desk phone

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However, the local network (LAN)must first meet some basicrequirements. All network devicesshould support Quality of Service(QoS) in order to transmit voicepackages prioritized and withoutdelay. The option to power yourdevices via Power over Ethernet (PoE)as well as setting up different virtualnetworks (VLANs), is also useful andleads to a leaner infrastructure.Naturally, analog and ISDN phonesmust be replaced by IP phones.

Planning stage

Generally, a deadline should bedefined for the migration towardsVoIP. As it may still require a longertime frame, thorough planning andpre-configuration are essential.

It is highly advisable to not rush intodismantling your old phone system.An example for the worst possiblecase would be to instantly andcompletely replace the old phonesystem with the new IP PBX on aFriday afternoon, and to directly startinto daily business on Mondaymorning with the new technology,thus risking total failure.

Besides all technical challenges, theinvolvement and training ofemployees is critical as well, in orderto gain their acceptance andunderstanding. New technologiesinevitably lead to changes in businessprocesses.

For these reasons, a so-called softmigration should be planned inadvance and eventually carried out,in which both the old and new phonesystems coexist for a transitionalperiod.

Soft migration

In case of a soft migration, bothcurrent and new PBX are operated inparallel for a transitional period. Thisallows to first test the functionality ofthe new system in a small part of thecompany, without affecting the dailybusiness telephony.

After the initial test and pilot stage, alldepartments telecommunications aregradually migrated. Each departmentshould be trained in the new PBX andIP phones in order to use themeffectively.

At the end of the soft migration, allproprietary system phones arereplaced by IP phones. The new IP PBXis connected through a gateway toyour analog or ISDN connection, oryour old PBX. Further required analogand ISDN devices such as faxmachines or alarm systems are alsoconnected through gateways to thenew PBX phone system.

Crash course IP PBX

Modern IP phone systems areimplemented in software practicallywithout exception. When talking aboutmodern IP phone systems, mostmanufacturers speak of PBX (PrivateBranch Exchange) or IP PBX. Since IPphones, SIP trunks and other servicesare registered at the PBX through thelocal network (LAN) or the Internet, thelocation of the PBX is initiallyirrelevant.

An IP PBX running on a server in a datacenter, is called cloud or hosted PBX.Alternatively, an IP PBX can beoperated locally within the companyas a so-called in-house PBX. Bothsolutions have individual advantagesand disadvantages. However, thechoice between a hosted or in-housePBX should be made at the verybeginning if you plan to acquire a newphone system, as it has far-reachingconsequences.

Hosted/Cloud PBX

In this case, the PBX software isinstalled on an external server andonly accessible via internet.Depending on the provider, you havedifferent access and configurationrights. The pricing models usually areuser-based and differ greatly. Also, thecloud PBX provider usually takes careof the maintenance, and in manycases a particular SIP trunk ispredetermined.

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The main advantage of hosted PBX isthe central location of the IP PBX. IPphones can be registered to the PBXindependent of their location. Thisway, employees in home offices or inbranch offices around the world, canbe easily integrated.

The initial costs for hosted PBX areoften lower as less own hardware isrequired on site, and the costs areincurred on a monthly base.However, this may become moreexpensive in the long term.

Hosted solutions also provide lesscontrol as the PBX is located outsidethe company and internet serviceproviders (ISPs) often can not befreely selected. In addition, eveninternal calls between employees arerouted through the Internet, andtherefore require a fast internetconnection.

In-House/On-Premise PBX

If you prefer full control over your IPPBX and free choice of your ISP, in-house or on-premise solutions are thebest choice. In this case, the PBX islocated on site, as you are used tofrom your traditional phone system.

The initial costs of an in-house PBX arehigher, but the monthly costs aremuch lower in return. Also SIP trunkscan be booked from any provider,which is often not possible for hostedsolutions. Internal calls are routed viathe local network and therefore do notrequire any internet bandwidth.

Virtual or Server Hardware

In-house solutions distinguish betweenvirtual solutions and PBX with own,dedicated server hardware. A virtualPBX can be set up easily on a serverwithin a virtual environment, such asVirtualBox, VMware or HyperV.

This way, no additional hardware isrequired and costs are lowered.However, a failure of the serverimplies also a failure of the telephonesystem. Here, dedicated PBX hardwareis beneficial. The software runs on adedicated server, that generally hasbeen optimized for operation as atelephone system.

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Askozia IP phone systemsSoftware PBX with an incredibly fair pricing

AskoziaPBX is an innovative IP PBX phone system, that wasspecifically designed for the needs of small and medium-sizedbusinesses (SMEs). It provides professional telephony utilizing allmodern communication technologies.

Fig.: Snom IP desk phone and Askozia web interface

The AskoziaPBX software is the coreof the Askozia product family. Askoziasupports VoIP, as well as analog andISDN connections and devices.

The intuitive web interface allows youto easily set up and manage thewhole system, and match it with yourspecific business requirements.

User-friendly pricing

Askozia comes without any hiddencosts and does not limit yourtelephony experience by additionallicense fees per phone, user orchannel.

Software add-ons for AskoziaPBX

AskoziaPBX is built modularly. The PBXcan be extended by means of optionalsoftware modules, to provide furthertelephony features. These additionalsoftware add-ons are simply activatedwith license keys.

The Call Flow Editor is Askozia's mostpopular add-on and allows to createcall flows via drag-and-drop. Evencomplex interactive functions can beimplemented easily, such as customIVR menus (press 1 for ...) and ACD callqueues. This way, the Call Flow Editorperfectly synchronizes the PBX withyour business processes.

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Fig.: Askozia Call Flow Editor

Askozia Hosted and Inhouse

Askozia supports both hosted and in-house scenarios, and can be easilyintegrated as a software PBX intovirtual environments such asVirtualBox, VMware, or Hyper-V. Forin-house scenarios, full control of thePBX and free choice of telephoneproviders, Askozia offers completesolutions including hardware.

Telephony Server

The Telephony Servers are Askozia'scomplete solutions. AskoziaPBX ispre-installed and the server works outof the box.

Telephony Servers are available aspure VoIP solutions or hybrid PBX withadditional analog or ISDN interfaces.The systems are low-energyconsuming. Depending on theequipment, the average consumptionis only 6-18 watts.

Partner network

Askozia has an international networkof resellers, hosting and installationpartners to support companies inrealizing telecommunication projects.

All solutions can be used on-site or inthe cloud, with IP phones of yourchoice and can be configured andmanaged through the most intuitiveuser interface. No matter if you havequestions regarding the installation,configuration or operation ofAskoziaPBX, our support team hasyour back and offers you conditionswell-matched with your businessneeds.

Learn more about how Askozia canboost your business at askozia.com

About Askozia

Askozia started out in 2006 bydeveloping AskoziaPBX, a highlyintuitive telephone system firmwarefor embedded appliances. Over theyears, Askozia has evolved into aninternational developer of realtime IPcommunication technologies and PBXsoftware for service providers, SMBsand system integrators worldwide.

Askozia uses open standards forinteroperability and no proprietarylock-in. The pricing is fair andexcludes licenses limiting thenumbers of users, phones or phonelines.

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Fig.: Telephony Server with VoIP and analog ports