Everything you want to know about Cloud Telephony
Cloud telephony has become a modern and flexible alternative to traditional telephone systems. Whether you're setting up business communications or upgrading your existing infrastructure, understanding the key terms is essential. This glossary gives you a structured overview of the most important concepts, technologies, and features related to internet-based telephony.
Cloud Telephone System
What is a cloud phone system and what technologies power it? This section provides an introduction to the basics of IP-based telephony and explains key technical terms that are relevant when setting up and using a cloud phone system.
- a/b Interface
- Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
- Broadband Internet Connection
- Busy Lamp Field (BLF)
- Carrier Point-to-Point (CP2P) Connection
- Cloud
- Direct Data Link (DDL)
- Download speed
- Dynamic Circuit Network (DCN)
- eFax: Send faxes over the internet
- Gateways
- HD telephony
- Internet Connection
- Internet telephony
- IP address
- IP-Centrex
- IP DECT
- IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)
- IP phone
- Migration
- National & international phone numbers
- P2P (Point-to-Point Connection)
- Quality of Service (QoS)
- Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP)
- Request for Comments (RFC)
- SDSL / SHDSL
- Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
- SIP-Trunk
- Softphones
- Source based call forwarding
- TCP/IP
- Telecommuting
- Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI)
- The Ultimate Questionnaire for Choosing a Cloud Telephony Service Provider
- Virtual fax machine
- Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Call Management
Effective call management is essential for delivering professional customer service. From call routing and queuing to voicemail and conferencing, this area explains the building blocks of professional call handling.
- Address Book
- Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
- Callback
- Call blocking
- Call handling
- Call history
- Calling Line Identification Presentation (CLIP)
- Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR)
- Call management
- Call pick up
- Call profile
- Call queueing
- Call routing
- Call Waiting Function
- Completion of Calls to Busy Subscriber (CCBS)
- Conference call
- Conference function
- Dial plan
- Direct Calling
- Holding calls
- Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
- Music on hold
- Simultaneous ring
- Soundstation
- Telephone number block
- Telephone operator workstation
- Toggling
- Unified Messaging System
- Voice encryption
- Voicemail
- Voice portals
Features
Cloud phone systems offer much more than just voice calls. Here you will find helpful features such as plug & play, fax-to-mail, and speed dial explained – all designed to simplify your daily work routine.
- Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)
- Answering machine
- AT commands
- Audio compression
- CCNR
- Fallback
- Fax2Mail
- Intercom
- Key assignment
- Keypad expansion
- Multiphone function
- Multiplex connections
- Plug & Play
- Redial button
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Sound waves
- Speed Dial Button
- Telephone number portability
- TPS
- Uninterruptible Power Supply
- Upload speed
- Wideband Audio
Data Security
Data security plays a central role in IP telephony. In the following, you will find the most important terms and technologies related to encryption, data protection, and security standards in cloud communication.
Customer Management
Modern phone systems can often be integrated with CRM platforms and offer tools for customer management. This section provides an overview of the key terms in this area.
Telephone Systems
What telephone systems are actually available – and how do they differ? In the following, we explain the different system types, including their typical areas of application.
Wireless Communication
Learn more about wireless communication methods used in cloud telephony environments. This includes technologies like DECT, Bluetooth, and other cordless options for flexible setups.
Telecommunications Billing
This area explains how billing works in cloud and traditional telecom services. From flat rates to itemized billing, it covers the key concepts that help businesses manage expenses.
Telecommunications Network
For IP telephony to work, stable networks are necessary. This section explains how telephone networks are structured – from ISDN and PSTN to mobile networks and VPNs.
Routing
Routing determines how calls are forwarded within a network or company. Here you will learn more about important terms and procedures in the routing of voice data.
Connection Technology
Various technical processes are also used to create connections. Below you will find brief explanations of methods such as pulse dialing and SDH.