Getting Smarter

Building new VoIP gateway features and functions, such as faster translations and support for emerging VoIP standards, represents a major challenge for vendors. Fortunately, many enhancements are software based, and can be delivered to customers fairly quickly and inexpensively in the form of a simple software upgrade.Perhaps the biggest trend in VoIP gateway technology is the rapid shift toward "smarter" products. Most major vendors are developing products that work with a wider mix of VoIP products and technologies, paving the road to enhanced multi-vendor interoperability. This trend promises to allow businesses to cut costs by enabling them to purchase products from any company that offers the best features at the best rather than from a single vendor.In the months and years ahead, VoIP gateway customers can expect more products, enhanced features and increased interoperability. These trends promise to help enterprises more easily build, maintain and upgrade VoIP networks that support both inexpensive and high-quality calls.