Hybrid vs. Pure IP Overview

Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) solutions can be delivered in two discrete manners: hybrid or IP-PBX products, capable of supporting both TDM and IP communications, and pure IP solutions, sometimes referred to as soft-switches.

Pure IP solutions provide many advantages to organizations building a "new" business environment, including cost-effectiveness, ease of implementation, greater manageability and standards-based architectural designs which allows integration into many IT applications and processes.

The hybrid IP-PBX approach is a viable solution for some, but generally is no match for the new generation of highly integrated, IT-based voice applications.  Pure IP solutions are beginning to overtake those legacy solutions for their abilities to directly integrate with essential business process applications such as corporate databases, CRM, ERP, and other critical back-office applications.

For many organizations, the decision to go hybrid versus pure IP depends on several factors, including the architecture of the existing voice infrastructure, the readiness of the IP network to support VoIP traffic, the IT department's ability to support the voice communications strategic goals.

When deciding on what to implement - pure or hybrid - all enterprise communications decision-makers should understand the advantages and disadvantages of the two main platform types.

Current Network Assessment
There are many industry tools available, as well as, professional services offerings, designed to assist decision-makers with assessing their network readiness.

Hybrid Solutions are Essential for Some Organizations
Organizations that plan to retain a significant percentage of their analog or digital phones may have no other choice but to implement a hybrid solution. This will allow the organization to obtain some of the benefits of VoIP while continuing to depreciate the value of current telephony assets.

Consider Starting Small
VoIP deployments don't have to begin at corporate headquarters, even when the ultimate goal is to move the entire enterprise to a pure IP system. VoIP can start small and be easily deployed within the parameter of the enterprise and gradually expanded to replace legacy network environments.

If Starting New, Choose IP
Organizations that are starting with a new environment have no reason to invest in hybrid architecture.  IP solutions have the added benefits of standards support, relative ease of deployment and administration and these solutions can be tightly integrated with existing IT applications and processes.

IT Must be Ready, Willing and Able
Before tackling any VoIP project, decision-makers must ensure that the organization's IT staff is ready to plan, deploy, and manage the system-whether it's a hybrid or a pure IP solution.

Map Out a Long-Term Strategy

IP-PBX architectural limitations will eventually put organizations at a competitive disadvantage. Disadvantages will become increasingly clearer as unified communications applications and standards, such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), grow more dynamic and provide cleaner integration between business processes, desktop applications, and collaboration tools.