Office Space Advice
The problem with VOIP at executive office suites
Published October 30th, 2008 by Mike Sullivan
As a prospective client at an executive office suite, you may ask, “Do you have VOIP?” The implication would then be that if the answer is yes, you would have essentially free long distance phone service because your phone calls are going over internet lines like Vonage, or some similar service, right? Well, the real answer is no.
The executive suite may have VOIP phones, but they are routed out of the facility through POTS (plain old telephone service). This means no savings for the client. You may be able to set up your own VOIP phone, but you’ll have to test the speed of the internet, and depending on the executive suite provider, you will have to pay for a phone line anyway.
In a quick search for executive office companies that offer an advanced set of phone features over a completely VOIP system, I could only find Thinkspace, but they only market VOIP in relation to follow-me features and integration into applications. So it’s not clear whether this offering comes with low cost long distance as well.
Many office rental providers I have discussed this with see it as a quality of service issue. They are reluctant to provide a phone system that has a diminished quality and the potential to be unreliable. However, I’m sure there are some office leasing companies out there that provide a solution. If anyone knows of any, please provide a comment to this post, or contact us and let us know the name of your company and what service you provide.
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About the Author
Peter Chee November 4th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Hello Mike, Thanks for mentioning thinkspace. Yes, we provide reliable VOIP technology for our clients. I’m a techie and I recognize the value and importance of having the best communication technology for business use. To me it’s not just about cheaper long distance (we do charge less than others) it’s about collaboration and blending of voice, email, voice messaging, fax email, auto attendants, soft phones, as well as integration with Microsoft Outlook and the ability to leverage a TAPI for advanced application integration. I think you raise valid concerns and some solutions are certainly better than others.
Elizabeth Sanchez November 10th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Mike, Peter – thanks for digging into this issue. I like what Peter said, “It’s not just about cheaper long distance — it’s about collaboration and blending of voice, email, voice messaging, fax email, etc.” In other words, it’s the total package. Yes, price is an issue. But quality of service and collaboration are vital in today’s executive office, especially virtual offices. Thanks again for the great info!
Finding Green Office Space: New York, Redmond and Bristol | aBetterOffice November 24th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
[...] Suites” – not quite what I was looking for – I couldn’t find many. Thinkspace, an executive suite company who I’ve written about in the past and Green Desk, were the only two that were easily [...]