What are Endpoints?

Endpoints can be of three types – phone hardware, softphone apps, and peripherals like headset

What are Endpoints?
Meeting Rooms and DevicesInsights

Published: September 4, 2022

UC Today Team

If we inspect the end-to-end unified communications (UC) value chain, four components emerge – the backend powering the UC solution, the frontend, which is the user experience, the network or servers through which the UC service is relayed, and the device or app which enables the service to be used. This article explains the meaning of that last component, known as endpoint.

What Are Endpoints?

Endpoint refers to a device located at the ending of a communication route. It may be a linked network-accessible device, service, tool, application, or node. Endpoints of a communication network have traditionally been the modems, routers, switches, and host computers that connect to the TCP/IP network – but in the context of business communication and UC, endpoints refer to apps and devices that a user relies on to consume the communication service.

Since UC relies on networked and often cloud-based communication, the definition of endpoints also varies accordingly. They are essentially IP-enabled devices that make it possible to conduct business telephony activities using a combination of hardware and network-based IP services.

What Are the Types of Endpoints?

Endpoints can be of three types – phone hardware, softphone apps, and accessories/peripherals like headsets.

1. Phone hardware

IP Phones are among the most popular communication endpoints. Using “VoIP” technology, this kind of telephone enables businesses to handle voice conversations via the internet. IP telephones are less expensive than traditional PSTN telephones because they enable organizations of any size to participate in worldwide discussions without incurring international expenses. In addition, multimedia telephones (like Avaya Vantage) may provide instant messaging and video conferencing.

Numerous endpoint providers also supply wireless phones. DECT and WiFi are the two technologies now available for wireless communication:

  • Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) is the most widely accepted in terms of dependability, security, and performance.
  • WiFi is an economical method of mobile communication. It is user-friendly and extremely expandable, but does not always provide the same service quality as DECT.

Conference phones are meant to connect numerous individuals simultaneously. This sort of endpoint is becoming more innovative than ever before, with choices ranging from speech-to-text transcription to call recording for regulatory compliance, and security.

2. Softphone apps that work on PCs and mobile phones

Individual endpoint clients also include VoIP softphones and UC apps, under the definition of endpoints. These software-based solutions let anyone make calls via the internet utilizing a headset, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or any other device with an internet connectivity. In general, softphones provide voice-centric communication with call management tools, voicemail, and other necessary audio capabilities. On the other hand, purpose-built UC endpoints may provide a large variety of communication choices such as contact center integrations and built-in collaboration.

With endpoints such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, and RingCentral Glip, users may rapidly communicate with coworkers via instant messaging, video, and other means. By facilitating file and screen sharing, these endpoints facilitate enhanced cooperation among employees.

3. Accessories/peripherals like headsets

Lastly, headsets are a key component of the market for IP endpoints and accessories. Modern headsets include capabilities such as wireless mobility, which enables workers to roam freely across the workplace, and noise cancellation, which muffles background noise at the workplace. Additionally, some headsets have mute buttons and status lights to allow others know when someone is on a call. These endpoints may be authorized to connect to a UC platform and offer IT administrators with valuable data on agent productivity and effectiveness.

Which Endpoint to Choose for Business Communications?

Each variety of endpoint has its unique benefits, making it appropriate for certain use cases. Here is a simple guide to assist you in selecting the optimal endpoint for business communication:

  • When constant voice quality and device familiarity are of the utmost importance, IP phone hardware is essential. However, one must bear in mind the possibility of increased expenses and reduced ongoing deployment flexibility.
  • Softphone applications for mobile phones are available at a reasonable cost and provide a great deal of versatility. This endpoint strategy for UC is challenged by unreliable indoor coverage and complicated voice plans.
  • Accessories and peripherals such as headsets are useful for deployment flexibility and cost considerations. There are perishability problems as well as the necessity to invest in device monitoring and user awareness.

Pitfalls to Avoid When Investing in and Managing Endpoints

Regardless of the type of endpoint, businesses should be aware of certain common challenges that might impede appropriate endpoint utilization:

  • Organizations may lack adequate control and monitoring capabilities for endpoints. As a result, it is hard to detect anomalies, such as an abnormally high incidence of abandoned calls or calls with signs of poor audio quality.
  • Enterprises that neglect investing in user experience (e.g., training) will struggle to increase endpoint adoption rates.
  • Not all users need to access to all collaboration functions. Instead of deploying all endpoint functionalities, one should guarantee that users receive only those that are part of their requirement.
  • When installing endpoints, another pitfall is disregarding security concerns. The effective management of endpoint security should be an overarching initiative. An organization should ideally be able to securely action updates, receive notifications, and implement best practices via a single, centrally-managed portal.

Closing Thoughts: Understanding the Communication Ecosystem

Each endpoint has a distinct purpose inside a company’s communication ecosystem. Endpoints act as communication interfaces for the wide variety of necessary enablers/tools, spread across your company — the devices that an organization, its employees, and its customers use to interact with each other. These endpoints exchange information through channels. These channels could be physical transmission media, such as cables, and logical connections across multiplexed media as well as hardware such as computer networks, or radio transmitting devices.

An endpoint ecosystem comprises all endpoints and the communication routes via which they connect. IT workers should embrace a cloud-first endpoint management solution that streamlines the administration of multiple devices on a centralized system.

 

 

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