The Bottom Line

This chapter is intended to help you justify Internet phone to yourself, to your significant other, or to your boss. You should be able to make a compelling argument about direct and indirect cost savings. Following is the "executive summary."

Direct savings offer most compelling reason to switch

By far the most important factor in Internet phone savings is the lower cost for basic service and long distance. Often, for the cost of a basic phone line, you can enjoy unlimited long distance as well. Features like virtual numbers and toll-free numbers let you share your savings with family members, friends, and business associates.

Accessibility + integration + convergence = ROI

Business analysts use a term called Return on Investment (ROI) to show how fast an investment will earn back its initial expense. Some of the earnings will come from direct savings on phone charges; other savings are more subtle.

Indirect savings in both time and money add up as well. By communicating more efficiently, we save time and get more work done. This gives us more time for family and friends or (gasp) to get even more work done.

Phone/Fax/E-Mail Integration

By integrating phone, fax, and e-mail, you can message contacts in the most efficient medium. Having everything in one spot lets you get the message off quickly, whether you have your system dial the phone or simply compose a fax or e-mail from within your contact manager.

"Find Me" Features for Traveling Employees

Having a system that follows you enables others to locate you by calling a single number. This saves time and toll charges spent calling one number after another in the search for your current whereabouts.