It isn't "if" enterprise voice will use the cloud, but more appropriately "when" or "how." The result will be more innovation.

There is considerable discussion about the oncoming impacts of cloud computing and how it will reshape (or eliminate) the enterprise data center. But until recently, there has been relatively little discussion about how cloud technologies will impact telecommunications, or specifically enterprise voice.

There is no question that the emerging technologies will reshape voice significantly. But exactly how is still unclear; the technologies are young and overlapping. The term "the cloud" is used to represent many technologies and models ranging from simple outsourced services to virtual on-demand distributed services.

The following is a brief description of ten ways the cloud and cloud computing will impact the voice landscape.

1) Hosted Voice
While hosted voice may appear to be the quintessential cloud application, it actually predates the cloud craze. It fits into the simpler hosted cloud service category rather than cloud computing. Nonetheless, hosted voice will directly benefit from the increasing popularity in cloud computing as attitudes about products transition into preferences for services.

In traditional outsourced environments the PBX remained on-site. Hosted voice simplifies operations and budgets. Hosted voice can deliver consistent enterprise services to all locations, including home users.

2) The Simple PBX
This was discussed in the No Jitter feature about simplifying the PBX. The concept is phone systems may be reduced to core functions (intercom, paging, 911) and combined with external service(s) for advanced features. Up until recently, advanced features were obtained with advanced phone systems with their associated baggage (advanced feature packs, dedicated servers, and specialized proprietary phones). But now a real alternative is emerging where these advanced features can be delivered over the cloud from one or more systems/services to any phone system; including voice mail/unified messaging, voice mail transcription, conferencing, conferencing transcription, record a call, presence, call center queues, click to dial, ring-all, calendar integration, etc.

The concept isn't particularly radical--most "enhanced" features such as voice messaging were always available as external services. What is new is the ability to implement rich and plentiful features nationally or globally; easily and inexpensively. This will make a simple phone system a cost effective means to a feature rich enterprise voice solution.

3) Virtual PBX
This is different from hosted voice but looks similar to end users. Here, the enterprise retains the benefits of owning and controlling their phone system (licenses)--it just doesn't "physically" exist. VoIP phone systems are software and many vendors now offer their solutions as software only. Trunks and phones are connected over standard IP connections such as SIP or H.323.

Separating the call control software from previously proprietary hardware creates a virtualization opportunity. The question is, does it make sense to install this software on a dedicated physical server or a virtual server? And if a virtual server, should it be installed in a public or private cloud service?

It isn't just an issue of economics. Cloud services charge by utilization, and most phone systems sit nearly idle outside of business hours. Housing a virtual system in a cloud service could be the best way to support a distributed user base with streamlined integration to other services. If not the PBX, it might be specific voice services (such as messaging) or a portion of the PBX to accommodate peak demand. Expect to see more voice vendors supporting implementations on virtual platforms such a VMWare or XEN.