{"id":4184,"date":"2021-04-22T09:31:32","date_gmt":"2021-04-22T09:31:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/?p=4184"},"modified":"2026-03-31T21:25:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T21:25:56","slug":"smart-offices-with-iot-voip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/smart-offices-with-iot-voip\/","title":{"rendered":"Here is What Smart Offices Will Look Like with IoT and VoIP"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To say that technology is advancing at a terrifyingly rapid pace would be an understatement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It seems like yesterday when we would need data top-ups to be able to chat with our friends online.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now we can talk to them via a video call in real-time even when we\u2019re in different continents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This has been enabled by something that the tech gurus like to abbreviate as <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/what-is-a-voip-phone-system\/\">VoIP<\/a> <\/strong>or Voice over Internet Protocol.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, remember all those frustrating times when we would get into bed and pull up the covers only to realise that we left the lights on? Now, we\u2019re equipped with the sheer brilliance of our favourite &#8216;Alexa&#8217; or &#8216;Siri&#8217;, which can be configured to control the lights at the sound of our voice. This is an example of IoT or the Internet of Things.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what are these technologies exactly? We shall dissect these terms below and answer some of your questions about them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We shall also discuss the future of these technologies, which lies in their integration and their impact on our lifestyle, whether in our homes or our offices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s get started.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is VoIP?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP refers to the collection of hardware components as well as software parts that allow data packets to travel over a network. In layman&#8217;s terms, VoIP enables voice, images and other data to travel from the transmitter to the receiver via the Internet. The technology replaces the heavy telephone lines that existed for legacy systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the development of VoIP and its foray into public usage in the early 2000s, VoIP has had a massive impact in terms of the advantages it offers:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Cost savings<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as the technology runs via the Internet and one only incurs ISP (Internet Service Provider) charges as opposed to the infrastructural and maintenance costs of the multiple phone lines in a traditional phone system<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Remote access<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/solutions\/voip-phone-service\/\">VoIP phone services<\/a><\/strong> that allow employees to communicate and collaborate with their colleagues and counterparts from anywhere around the world, instead of only from within their boardrooms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Extensive features<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">offered by VoIP services in addition to the basic requirement of voice transmission over an IP network. These include caller ID, virtual numbers, contact lists, voicemail, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Ease of usage<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> whether in terms of installation, configuration, integration, or maintenance of the IP network without the need to install any other infrastructure to the existing system<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And this is only the beginning. If one were to go into detail, there are plenty of beneficial features and overall advantages of this technology.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is IoT?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The term IoT or &#8216;Internet of Things\u2019 refers to everything that is connected to the Internet and each other. This mutual connection helps these things &#8216;talk&#8217; to each other. Currently, the scope of IoT has extended from just laptops connected via Intranet to the connection between additional devices such as sensors, smartphones, and wearables.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The scope of IoT now extends to connected cars, smart homes and smart office spaces, and even smart cities. Hewlett Packard <\/span><a class=\"acefone_web_click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.analyticsvidhya.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/10-youtube-videos-explaining-the-real-world-applications-of-internet-of-things-iot\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">predicted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the number of connected devices would grow from 9 billion in 2013 to at least 1 trillion in 2025.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ramifications of a digital ecosystem capable of collating, analysing, and acting upon huge data loads are immense.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following are some of the real-world ramifications of IoT :<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Smart homes<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">encompassing connected lights, air conditioners, washing machines, smartphones and much more to make your life simpler and comfortable<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Connected cars<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that enhance the in-car experience for the passengers through temperature sensors, in-car support center, and more<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Smart office spaces<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to improve the productivity and efficiency of employees with an increase in the ease of work<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Industrial internet<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to empower industrial manufacturing and engineering through cutting edge analytics and innovative software<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>IoT in healthcare<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">includes connected healthcare systems and smart medical devices for better diagnosis and prognosis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IoT presents a rather diversified portfolio, and if researchers are to be asked, we&#8217;ve barely begun to scratch the surface.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The need for IoT-VoIP integration<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VoIP systems have been a staple in smart office spaces for quite some time now, replacing the legacy analogue PGX systems. With the advent of IoT, there is an exciting opportunity to emboss <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/solutions\/voip-phone-service\/\"><strong>VoIP phone systems<\/strong><\/a> with a layer (of IoT) and improve workspaces and employees&#8217; lifestyle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But what prompts this integration <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">now<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It could be attributed to various factors that have made this time and this scenario &#8216;ripe&#8217; for the integration to gain its foothold in present-day offices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firstly, it is attributed to the success of Industry 4.0, or what we called Industrial Internet. Industry 4.0 has revolutionised how industrial giants go about their business\u2013\u2013incorporating big data analytics into everyday processes of manufacturing and production.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This use case wasn&#8217;t too far away from the confines of the office space, and these technological improvements are slowly finding their own niche in smart offices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secondly, both technologies are dependent on a common requirement for effective functioning\u2013\u2013the IP-enabled core network. This natural synergy allows us to combine VoIP and IoT quite easily and effectively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Very simply speaking, my calendar could be connected to my alarm over the same IP network, thus automating the activation of the alarm functionality whenever an important meeting or event is around the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thirdly and lastly, the pandemic has left the &#8216;normal&#8217; office practices in shambles. As we gear up to go through the second wave, most of the companies worldwide are adopting a hybrid WFH policy for their entire employee base.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As per <\/span><a class=\"acefone_web_click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newelectronics.co.uk\/electronics-technology\/the-smart-office\/224048\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">industry reports<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, over 75% of employees could end up working remotely by the end of this decade. This scenario demands innovative ways to ensure effective and real-time collaboration between employees, irrespective of whether they are at home or in the office.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Check it out our blog :<a href=\"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/voip-help-remote-workers-during-covid-19\/\"><strong> VOIP for Remote Workers<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart offices<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that we have established the need for smart office spaces, we shall discuss the role played by IoT and VoIP integration in these set-ups and how they have a clear-cut advantage over the existing configuration.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Efficiency and performance<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integrating IoT with VoIP has a direct impact on those innumerable manual tasks that are important and, yet, quite redundant in themselves. Like, keeping your eye on the clock at all times so that you don&#8217;t miss that important meeting with the boss which is not even confirmed yet. Ring any bells?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, all you need to do is connect your email to your phone alarm system so that the required email from the relevant stakeholder sends a beep to your phone, and the alarm rings off to bring the meeting to your attention. No longer do you need to keep a constant watch on your watch, and you can focus on the more important things at hand\u2013\u2013your work for the day, whether it\u2019s managing client follow-ups or running an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/what-is-an-outbound-call-center\/\">Outbound Call Center <\/a>efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The automation of such tasks shall reduce all that time you spend on manual interventions to nil, and your productivity shall be amplified automatically without any significant effort.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connectivity and collaboration<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VoIP had already created an ecosystem of collaboration between teams sitting miles away from each other by enabling voice transmission as well as video conferencing. The introduction of IoT shall maximise this ability by introducing more multi-faceted tools into the foray.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One such example would be the incorporation of augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) tools into the office space. Consider businesses with offsite client meetings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a standard scenario, an employee would need to carry all their resources for a meeting at a client location, However, with the integration of AR tools, any employee could access their office desk from any location via their phone and save the hassle of carrying those resources.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this might sound a bit far-fetched, the possibilities are endless, and it is only a matter of time before holograms replace the old desktops gathering dust on our desks.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintenance and upkeep<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Office maintenance is one of those underrated aspects of efficient smart office spaces which often tends to be overlooked by most of us. However, it is an essential requirement that needs proper implementation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No one would like to work in an office where the thermostat constantly malfunctions, the printers are always running out of ink, and the water coolers can&#8217;t be trusted for a clean water supply.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is where IoT and VoIP can play a significant role. Imagine leaving for the office and setting the thermostat to the required temperature on the way via your phone so that when you reach, the internal temperature settings are perfect for you to start your work\u2013\u2013neither too hot nor too cold!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similarly, printers and water coolers can be configured to send an alert to the correct person in case of repairs or refills. Cleanliness is Godliness, and rightly so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Running out of necessary office supplies shall become a nightmare of the past as all the required repairs and refills shall be scheduled well ahead of time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Summing it up<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While VoIP and IoT are important technological advancements in themselves, their integration presents unparalleled opportunities to improve the lives of everyone who utilises them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A smart workspace is such an avenue wherein the efficiencies of each employee can be multiplied without impacting their original work style. In fact, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/integrations\/\">cloud telephony integration<\/a><\/strong> allows them to function as effectively from the comfort of their homes as they did while sitting in the offices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our wish: to kill two birds with one stone!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>To say that technology is advancing at a terrifyingly rapid pace would be an understatement.\u00a0 It seems like yesterday when we would need data top-ups to be able to chat with our friends online.\u00a0 Now we can talk to them via a video call in real-time even when we\u2019re in different continents.\u00a0 This has been [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":19797,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[184],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4184","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-voice-voip"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4184","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4184"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4184\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26164,"href":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4184\/revisions\/26164"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4184"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.acefone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}