Introduction to VoIP System Selection
Deciding on which VoIP system to use for your business can be a big ordeal. If you don't already have a VoIP phone system and you want to switch, deciding on the right system for you is very important. If you already have a VoIP system and you want to expand, you have to know which systems are compatible with what you already have.
One of the most important things to look at is the protocol the VoIP phone uses to communicate with the server - the PBX. If you are looking at installing a new system, you will like want to choose a system that is SIP based. SIP is the most common protocol in new equipment, and is replacing older protocols. If you already have a VoIP system, it's possible 
that it is MGCP based. Fortunately most MGCP hosted VoIP providers are upgrading to SIP based equipment. If you use Cisco equipment, you may have a SCCP system. SCCP is Cisco's proprietary VoIP protocol; this protocol, though, can be converted to SIP.
Another important aspect when looking at a new VoIP phone is how many ethernet ports it has. If the phone is going to be in use where there is a computer, having two ethernet ports can be very important so that both the phone and the computer can share a single ethernet connection. If the phone is going to be in a location where the internet is not needed, such as a warehouse floor, then dual ethernet ports is not an important feature on a new VoIP phone.
Aside from protocol and ethernet ports, you also need to consider the type of power supply your new phones will use. Most VoIP phones are capable of using PoE (Power over Ethernet). Many of those phones can also use a traditional power supply, but do not come pre-packaged with it. Deciding if you want to use PoE vs a regular power adapter for the phone comes down to cost. A power supply could cost anywhere from $20-40 each. A PoE 24 port switch will cost around $450. If you are powering less than 15 phones, it might be cost effective to purchase the power adapter rather than use PoE to power the phones. There is also the consideration of what type of PoE the new phones use. Some Cisco phones use a special power source (models 7912G, 7940G, and7960G, which are still very popular models) and may not work correctly with a standard PoE (802.3af) switch. Cisco is switching newer equipment to use standard PoE.
There are many brands of VoIP phones:
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Adtran's Polycom
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Cisco
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Aastra
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Linksys
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Grandstream
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Snom
The two most popular VoIP manufacturers are Adtran and Cisco. Adtran phones and systems are SIP based and offer a variety of phones, from simple phones with limited features designed to work in hallways or warehouse floors for example, to full color display with video and advanced programmable features. Adtran also has a system called Netvanta 7100 that is an all-in-box solution for business wanting to install a new VoIP system. Netvanta's biggest drawback is that it can only support 2500 stations. New Cisco systems are, of course, now SIP based. Not all "new" phones from Cisco carry the new protocol. The older models that are still available may still use the Cisco system; keep in mind though, that these phones can be converted to SIP if you want to use them on a SIP system. Cisco, like Adtran, offers a wide variety of phone models, from simplistic to advanced. Cisco also offers mobile VoIP phones that allow employees to be away from their desk phone and still receive VoIP calls where a wireless network is available.
When you are deciding on new VoIP phones, ensure you take into consideration your existing network, if applicable, and the needs your business will have for it's VoIP phones.
