Have you ever been part of a conversation with a group of people who seemed to speak their own language? Perhaps it made you feel left out and it was difficult to connect with the group on a personal level due to what seemed like a language barrier. This is how jargon can make people feel “average.” All the VoIP phone system acronyms and industry terms only create confusion for certain individuals and make them feel like strangers, increasing the communication gap between a service provider and their consumer.

That’s why we’ve provided you with a glossary of essential terms used by VoIP providers so that you can meet with VoIP agents and telecommunications experts at least halfway there. However, before we get into it, let’s clarify what the difference is between VoIP, IP and cloud telephony.

Bottom line: there really isn’t much of a difference. VoIP, IP, and Cloud (or cloud-based) are essentially synonymous. All of them use an IP network that digitizes communication data, such as voice, creating data packets and sends these data packets between different end points. Using this method is known to be more cost effective as data packets can be transmitted on shared lines without the PTSN tolls (read on to find out what PTSN is).

This glossary was developed with the average business owner in mind. Since the way businesses communicate is changing to accommodate today’s technological advancements, we want to help you stay current on the terminology you may hear on the phone when speaking with VoIP service providers.

Here are some other useful words to help you better understand the agents of your current business cloud phone service provider.

VoIP Glossary

ATA: Analog Telephone Adapter. This allows analog users to connect their traditional telephones and fax machines to a VoIP network. Convert your fax machine to a virtual fax machine with a Cisco SPA112 ATA.

BYOD: bring your own device. Many VoIP phone system providers make it easy to switch providers by allowing users to use their existing communication hardware. If you already have IP hardware, you can experience even more savings.

DID: Direct Inward Dialing. DIDs are phone numbers to which you can assign multiple phone numbers associated with one or more phone lines so that each employee can have their own number without the need for a separate phone line. DIDs eliminate additional costs and the appearance of busy signals.

IP phone (also known as a VoIP phone) – A digital phone that uses an Internet connection to transmit calls. IP phones are not necessarily a requirement to use your VoIP phone system, as many offer plans that can be used with your mobile phone.

IVR: Interactive Voice Response. An IVR allows a computer to interact with callers and identify where to route them based on a selection callers make from the message menu. For example, if your VoIP system has a personalized greeting that allows callers to choose between speaking to sales, marketing, or billing, the caller will be routed to a specific endpoint ((individual or department) based on their selection.

Jitter: Variations in packet arrival time, which means that the quality of the call sounds choppy.

Packet Loss – If your voice is transmitted as a “data packet,” the packet loss just means that that chunk of data was unable to reach the desired end point. This usually occurs due to network congestion and causes instability.

PoE – Power over Ethernet. PoE means that the data connection and electrical power are provided over a single cable to provide functionality for devices, including IP phones. With PoE phones, the device can be plugged into a desktop and wall socket to create a complete path for voice and data media.

LNP: Local Number Portability. If you are transferring your number from one provider to another, you will need to complete an LNP form to reassign your number.

PBX: Private switchboard.

PSTN: Public switched telephone network.

Softphone: software that gives you the ability to make phone calls using your computer through an Internet connection. This can also be an application on your mobile phone that allows you to use your mobile as a business communication device.

Virtual Number – Another way of saying DID, a virtual number is not associated with a phone line and is generally used to forward incoming calls to preset phone numbers. Virtual numbers can be used for virtual services, marketing campaigns, and other business purposes.

VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol

VoIP service providers who speak your language

Regardless of the size of your business and the type of products and services you provide, you can benefit from VoIP service providers and the promoted features they offer. Although VoIP is not perfect and may not be suitable for everyone, it is a solution that many business owners across the country have implemented without a hitch. See for yourself with custom VoIP solutions.

You don’t have to speak like a VoIP agent to enjoy powerful productivity-boosting features; However, now you can stay up-to-date on some of the more common terms and be better prepared for your next conversation with VoIP service providers.