IoT devices and VoIP solutions seem like a match made in heaven, and there are a few examples of these two titans joining forces to great effect.
It’s also apparent that the real potential has yet to be unleashed, meaning that a bright future lies ahead of these increasingly intertwined technologies.
Let’s look at the state of play as it stands today, as well as where things may lead as time passes, to better understand the relationship between VoIP and the internet of things.
How small businesses are currently using VoIP systems
Up and coming companies are well positioned to benefit from the VoIP-IoT mash-up, and there are several applications of note, such as:
User presence
IoT devices make it possible to track team members across an entire site, and in combination with presence systems and VoIP solutions they are easier to pinpoint and contact, depending on their current location and their assigned status.
Unifying user presence with IoT and VoIP is achievable using several well-known platforms, including Google Voice. Of course not every organization wants to buy into a single brand’s ecosystem, so OpenPhone listed its recommendations for Google Voice alternatives.
Data analysis
A deluge of data pours in from IoT devices, as well as VoIP services, and impactful insights can be gleaned from collating and analyzing info from these sources side by side.
Links between call statistics, customer feedback, service quality, employee performance, and so forth can be made, assessed and scrutinized to find ways to improve efficiency and outcomes.
Access management & security
Monitoring and managing access to business premises has always been important, and the deployment of IoT devices to achieve this has proliferated in many commercial settings.
Even with IoT security concerns, it’s easier to control facilities and oversee the comings and goings of employees and visitors thanks to this tech. VoIP enters the picture for handling in-house communication, so that team members can talk with one another and also interact with visitors, whether or not they are near a particular point of entry.
The developments that will make waves in years to come
Paying attention to what’s just around the corner is a good way of preparing for developments ahead of schedule, and for VoIP and IoT integrations these include:
Next-gen connectivity
5G networking is rolling out at a pace in many places, but it’s still not ubiquitous, and support for it across devices in the IoT is also not yet up to speed.
When this happens, both IoT hardware and VoIP solutions will exist in a more close-knit set of ecosystems, and it will be easier to justify integrating calling capabilities with all kinds of devices.
We’ve already seen how the likes of smart appliances with built-in voice controls are slowly filtering into the consumer space. And if 5G connectivity becomes a baked-in feature of things like smart refrigerators, limitations like local Wi-Fi coverage will matter less when deciding on advanced features such as VoIP.
Smart buildings & cities
Smart features facilitated by IoT devices are not only transforming individual domestic and commercial premises, but also entire urban centers. And it’s not enough for the individual pieces of hardware to be able to communicate with one another, as there’s also a need for human interactions to be enabled in this context.
Thus it’s possible to predict that VoIP integration will be the norm, breaking down the barriers that currently exist and essentially enabling every device to act as a kind of intercom, albeit with many more functions onboard
Wrapping up
There’s little doubt that the IoT and VoIP tech are set to become more interdependent with time. This opens up a range of possibilities for businesses and home users alike, and will make security even more of a priority as this close relationship continues to blossom.
