There are currently five million-plus Skype users in the UK and more than 220 million worldwide. The voice over IP (VoIP) network not only reduces telecoms costs, but also helps to support interaction and drive sales opportunities with millions of potential customers.

One might think it was a no-brainer for organisations to get onto the Skype network, yet a large number have yet to switch on to the business benefits of Skype.

This is where resellers can play their part. By offering customers a simplified approach to Skype ­ one that enables centralised control and management through a single exchange ­ VARs can remove one of the traditional barriers to VoIP deployment.

Rolling out a PBX-to-Skype exchange enables a cost-effective migration to VoIP. Companies
can preserve their investment in existing phone equipment, while benefiting from free inbound calls from the national and international Skype community.

Such an approach offers a simple way to connect Skype to the office PBX without altering the office phone infrastructure. Gateways can be quickly and easily installed with zero changes to PBX equipment, phones or PCs.

Businesses get multi-site PBX networking for free, as well as free or low-cost remote PBX access, and Skype trunking for low-cost calls to traditional phones.

Advanced click-to-talk functionality also enables organisations to offer improved customer service and sales support direct from their web site or html email. New and existing customers can contact sales or customer support directly via Skype over a web click-through, enabling free calling, reducing operating costs and boosting overall customer service levels.

The chances are that many businesses already have a number of Skype users in-house and simply do not yet have a company-wide solution in place. But if a reseller does not get out there and sell the benefits of Skype, the chances are that one of its competitors will.

By switching customers onto Skype, VARs will help keep their customers happy, and their
business ahead of the pack.