subject: Session Initiation Protocol Stirs Up Business Communications [print this page] SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol, which comprises an advanced telephone technology. The protocol was developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to improve the quality of interactive communications. SIP's popularity is based on enhanced functionality and its benefits compared with POTS (plain old telephone service).
SIP is used to initiate communication sessions using IP based networks (the Internet). The Internet connection requires broadband technology to be compatible with SIP, but once set up, all SIP enabled devices can communicate with each other.
SIP telephones work by compressing speech into data packets, transferring the packets over the Internet, and decoding the packets back into speech for the listener on the other end. Sessions are created to connect the call, managed for the duration of the call, and terminated at the end of the call. Communication sessions that can be managed through SIP can include speech, video, gaming or even virtual reality applications where real time response is required.
Some users confuse VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) with SIP, but SIP can actually be used to leverage a hosted VoIP business solution to its full potential. SIP/Hosted VoIP can offer the following:
Call holding
Call transfers
Call conferencing
Call forwarding
Call ID
Web based voicemail
Auto-attendants
... With potentially a lot more applications that have yet to be developed coming in the near future.
SIP makes unified communications possible by integrating telephony and computer based protocols. SIP also provides a way to add or adapt existing lines at any time, reducing costs significantly compared to POTS. SIP can increase productivity by allowing employees to work at home in case of emergency and reducing lost contacts due to long hold times or unresponsive personnel.
SIP can be quickly and easily installed without the need to have tech support come in and install new hardware. With SIP, just plug the phone in and you are ready to go. Your high speed internet connection does the rest, creating a seamless operation that almost runs itself. Your employees will be able to work together as a team with you at the helm.
