Telephone and Computer and Cloud Convergence
It would seem that cloud or virtual-based telephone companies are as prolific as build-to-spec computer brands in the ’90s. There are so many, and they are as good or better than wired telephone services.
A Little History
The telephone was invented in the last quarter of the 19th century and became prolific in the 20th century. Up until the late 20th century every single phone call that occurred happened over a pair of thin copper wires.
The global network of copper was also the beginning of the internet. We are still very much dependant on the copper network, but we have added fiber optic, coaxial, and wireless broadband to the mix. Even a cellular phone system still requires a copper network to connect to link phone calls.
Enter VOIP (voice over internet protocol). Telephones that could transmit and receive sound over a computer network were invented in the ‘90s. Since then, they have gotten better and better.
The next development has been PC software that replicated a phone. Although a lot of us are pretty familiar with a gadget that sits on a desk and has an ear piece and mouth piece in plastic, it doesn’t have to be that way anymore. I haven’t had a traditional desk phone for a couple of years now, and longer in my home. What Henry Dreyfuss invented in 1947 is replaced by a headset or whatever speakers and mic are plugged into your computer.
Convergence and Separation
The common denominator is sound transmitting (phone) to somebody that is at a distance (tele). No longer is it constrained to the copper network or the “HAND TELEPHONE”. It could be that or it could be a copper-based telephone talking to computer-based telephone, or a computer to a computer, or a data app on a cell phone to a regular cell phone without data.
The thing I love about this convergence is the separation. Those two things seem the opposite, but without convergence, it is way more challenging to have the separation of personal and business. For years we have struggled with giving our customers our direct line or even our cell phone to make business happen better, faster. With phone convergence, you can for sure avoid giving a customer your personal cell phone, you can choose to give them your direct number, or you can simply give them the mainline. And you can disconnect or connect, take calls or make calls, wherever you are whenever you want.
Microsoft 365 Voice
Nothing is more converged the Microsoft’s 365 Voice service. Under the 365 platform, you can have the most used office productivity software, world-class collaboration, highly secure email, excellent video meetings and instant messaging, and now a converged phone. And your favorite micro-business I.T. service provider can set it all up for you.
Mic drop!