Sage recognized early the relevance of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as the apparent heir of legacy circuit switched TDM telephone systems. Here are basic foundation points that we used early on in our discovery.

Voice over Internet Protocol is simply the transport of voice traffic using Internet protocol. IP being a packet-based protocol, which means that traffic is broken into small sections (packets) that are sent individually to their destination.

IP is not the only packet-based protocol. However, the explosion of the Internet proves it to be the most successful. Think of it this way… The massive and continued growth of the Internet assures us that the protocol that drives it remains and grows itself in relevance. Worth mentioning are the partner protocols to IP that have been developed in conjunction with the packets, these being Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). In voice applications, UDP is typically used rather than TCP. Within the transport of IP, UDP is the packet control method. Inside the UPD packet lies RTP or Real Time Protocol used to encapsulate the actual voice payload.

While this begins a very technical conversation, it is important to understand that all the protocols mentioned meet New Market definition because they are built and implemented according to an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard. These same protocols are already widely used in most data networks. Because these protocols are already present on the enterprise network, it means support professionals have a greater familiarity with the technology, which shortens learning curves, reduces cost of deployment, and increases customer satisfaction.

While the RTP/UDP conversation focuses on voice transport, the message portion of call control is called Session Initiated Protocol (SIP). Like the other protocols discussed here, SIP is standard. SIP allows the communications platform to send information like caller ID, manage presence, create voice and video calls, and manage all interaction between the user and the communications platform.

SIP is much like HTTP in that its form is very open and adoptable. SIP can set up and send instant messages and voice calls and, at the same time, complete call control functions like transfer, hold, and conference. SIP can facilitate white board sharing, video conferences, and many other business productivity tools. Before SIP existed, VoIP was done primarily with manufacturer-specific proprietary methods. Because SIP is a standard, it allows for interoperability between third-party applications and permits the use of standards-based maintenance and troubleshooting methods.