Even if managing phone calls isn’t a top priority, c-store owners should consider the advantages that a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) system can provide.

In addition to providing freedom from escalating phone company bills forever, VoIP can make tasks easier and provide services that may be harder to get or more expensive using a public-switched telephone network (PSTN) even though the both systems are digital.

Because VoIP users can receive more than one telephone call down the same broadband-connected phone line, adding extra phone lines is easy. Features like three-way calling, call forwarding, automatic redial and caller ID for which phone companies traditionally charge extra are free.

Most of the digitizing that needs to be put in place to create phone security over traditional phone lines is already there with VoIP. IT managers need only to encrypt and authenticate the existing data stream.

Finally, because the system requires only a broadband Internet connection to connect users and providers, it offers location independence as well as security and can be integrated with other Internet services including video conversation, message or data file exchange performed in parallel with the conversation, audio conferencing and address book management.