For several months, and particularly after BT’s acquisition of Ribbit, telecom industry observers have been wondering what was happening with Grand Central, the voice applications start-up acquired by

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Google almost two years ago, and whose future promise seemed to get lost amid a pile of other Google ambitions. Well, today Google re-launched an expanded version of Grand Central’s offerings as Google Voice, a service integrating flexible Internet-based voice calling and routing features, voice mail, text messaging and other applications. For now, it’s available on a limited basis to existing Grand Central customers.

Unlike other VoIP and Internet-based voice applications, Google Voice is based on a centralized voice calling and messaging system that enables users to use any phone to call into a system that allows them to initiate other calls and functions. The offering is being seen as a challenge to Skype, though it also ups the competitive ante for telcos and other voice service providers that have been exploring new ways to offer voice or to integrate it with other applications.

Initially this will only be open to existing Grandcentral users

Open communication lines between you and your customers, suppliers and business partners are likewise important. Listening and talking to the people who help drive your company to success with their patronage and services are facets of your enterprise that should never be ignored. These individuals will provide you with feedback necessary for your company to continuously grow as well as respond to the market’s ever changing needs.

Now that you know the importance of communication in an enterprise, you wonder how you can create such an enviable system. The answer lies in choosing the right platform for your telecommunication needs. Telephones, mobile phones, fax machines, the Internet are systems and machines ever-present in offices across the globe.

A few years ago, a new phone system has been gaining the attention of entrepreneurs everywhere. The VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), a sophisticated, highly efficient and cost effective tool of phone communications is now the current rage among business people who are looking to streamline their expenses without compromising quality.

Just like your regular telephone, but…

VoIP works like your regular phone and mobile phone units, only it relies on high-speed broadband Internet connection in transmitting and receiving data (voice, in this case). The wider coverage of Internet nowadays as well as the reliability of the system in terms of transmitting data makes VoIP a practical choice for entrepreneurs.

What seals the deal for business people is the fact that VoIP is probably one of the most cost-effective business communication solutions available today. Most VoIP service providers charge voice call rates at costs 40 to 60 percent lower than the traditional voice calls.

This means that if you are maintaining five different telephone lines and your average bill for each line is about $300, you save as much as $180 for each VoIP connection. Some service providers do not even charge you anything.

Other benefits of VoIP system:

It contains built-in functions useful for your communication needs, such as voice mail, call routing, and call waiting. Most of these call features are also available in regular telephone lines but with additional cost. With the VoIP package, these are offered for free.

VoIP is flexible, giving you the power to adjust the system as the need arises. For instance, if you need more VoIP lines, you do not have to reapply for another line (which is the case with telephone and mobile phone lines). Instead, you only need to upgrade your existing VoIP subscription for a minimal cost.

Lastly, VoIP is easy to use.

As many businessmen have come to realize, VoIP is an effective communication solution that will help you maintain a harmonious relationship within and outside your corporate organization.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnet.com

Article by Randi Reese, you can learn more at her site on broadband and VOIP information, including VOIP phones.