Editorial

The Internet of Things (IoT) and VoIP

Published on:

March 31, 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming how businesses operate, particularly those already using cloud-based VoIP systems. IoT connects physical objects—anything from industrial tools to home appliances—via the internet, allowing seamless data exchange. Integrated with VoIP, IoT brings automation, asset management, remote security control, and workflow improvements. For businesses, it enhances flexibility, enabling employees to access office systems from anywhere while optimizing security. This fusion helps organizations achieve greater efficiency, cost savings, and adaptability, contributing to digital transformation in industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation.

Has your business or organization moved its telephony to the cloud? If so, you’re ready to make the leap to Internet of Things (IoT). It’s actually not a tremendous leap, and if you’re in the cloud already, you’re halfway there.  

The IoT is a network of “things” (physical objects) – everything from items in your household or office to fleets of vehicles and industrial tools – connected to each other via unique identifiers (sensors and/or software)that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems via the Internet. As of 2020 there were approximately 10 billion “things” connected worldwide, and analysts believe we will see more than double this amount by 2025. And the current and expected number of IoT data points is staggering: any laptop, sensor, smartphone or wearable device can connect to the IoT and share data, including a chip implanted in a cat or dog, sensors in automobiles that monitor engine function and maintenance issues...even heartrate monitors. We are already seeing IoT in what are now known as “smart homes” – houses and apartments with electronics and security accessible via any wi-fi-enabled device.  

There are myriad real-world IoT applications, including consumer, enterprise, manufacturing and industrial, and many of these applications are already contributing to increased efficiency and economies of scale in many verticals, including agriculture, airlines, automotive, defense, energy, healthcare, hospitality, logistics and telecommunications – even theme parks, where IoT can track visitor activity. Just about any business can benefit from IoT, as it brings process automation, analysis and insight, fleet and asset management, labor reduction and performance monitoring to any enterprise; for many organizations it’s become a key milestone on the path to complete digital transformation. IoT continues to gain traction in manufacturing, transportation and utilities, where sensors and other IoT devices help manage fleets and other assets. But what does it do, exactly?

  • On farms, IoT sensors collect data pertaining to humidity, rainfall, soil content, temperature and other factors, and this data contributes to the improvement and refinement of operations.
  • With buildings and infrastructure, sensors monitor changes to or within structures, alerting engineers to changes or potential structural failures.
  • For any sort of fleet, IoT can track every vehicle, providing data as to exactly where any vehicle is at any time.
  • Some of the general benefits of IoT include reduced costs, better time management, workflow changes that improve employees’ quality of life and paperless workflow.

Alongside smart homes and enterprise adoption of IoT, many organizations are developing smart offices – these everywhere enterprises are a response to rising costs and to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Smart offices, with phone systems enabled by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), have enabled dispersed/hybrid or “work from anywhere” environments.

VoIP systems integrate easily with IoT. For any company, the phone system is still an operational foundation, and management and employees need access to calls and voicemails and to individual extensions, whether they’re in the office or away from it, and a VoIP phone system makes this possible by moving all of an organization’s telephony into the cloud. And, once office devices are IoT enabled, dispersed teams still have access to the office, everything from the copier to the coffee maker, from the front door to the overhead lights…phones, SMS, voicemails and everything else.

The combination of IoT and VoIP also addresses numerous security concerns by securing communications channels, such as SMS and voice, and improving onsite security. IoT video devices and access systems can be controlled remotely, and they can be configured as IP endpoints for a live feed from any device; you can also create alerts, sent to remote devices, in the event of an onsite emergency. This kind of automation is available throughout your organization, thanks to the interactivity between IoT-enabled devices and VoIP applications.

Vodia’s cloud phone system enables easy IoT integration and the automation of your company’s devices and software, both onsite and remotely, and it’s been deployed at just about every type of company and organization, from municipalities to hotels to medical offices (we are HIPAA certified).  We’d love to tell you all about how we’re the perfect cloud phone system for any company or organization looking to leverage the immeasurable potential of IoT. For more information, please reach out to us, sales@vodia.com.

Derniers articles

Voir tous

Keycloak OpenID Connect Integration for the Vodia PBX

Vodia’s PBX now integrates with Keycloak OpenID Connect, providing secure single sign-on for users so they can access all connected applications without repeated authentication. Logging out from one application automatically logs the user out of all connected systems, simplifying user management and improving security. Keycloak, a Cloud Native Computing Foundation project, supports standard protocols including OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, and SAML, offering enterprise-grade identity and access management. To ensure proper integration, Keycloak user emails must match the corresponding PBX extension emails. Complete guidance is available in the Vodia Keycloak integration guide, with additional details in the Keycloak official documentation.

September 12, 2025

Vodia Announces Partnership with Comms Group Global

Vodia Networks has announced a strategic distribution partnership with Comms Group Global (ASX: CCG), aiming to expand the reach of its feature-rich cloud PBX solutions across APAC and EMEA. Through this collaboration, Comms Group Global will serve as an official reseller, providing businesses of all sizes with scalable, secure, and integrated telephony solutions. Customers will benefit from advanced call management features, Microsoft Teams integration, and robust security standards, while also gaining access to Comms Group’s SIP coverage in over 65 countries. The partnership enables a streamlined “one-touch” provisioning process, ensuring fast and seamless deployment for enterprises and SMEs seeking to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

September 8, 2025

Why Fax Still Matters in 2025 and How Vodia Makes It Easy

Although many consider fax outdated, it continues to play a crucial role in sectors where compliance, confidentiality, and legal proof of delivery are non-negotiable. Healthcare providers rely on fax to meet HIPAA requirements, while industries such as finance, law, and real estate depend on it for contracts and documents that require signatures or legally verifiable transmission. Unlike email, fax offers confirmation reports that serve as proof of receipt, along with time-stamped records that hold up in legal proceedings. With Vodia’s PBX, digital fax becomes faster, easier, and more accessible than ever before, enabling users to drag and drop documents, monitor transmission progress, and receive immediate confirmations.

September 5, 2025