IP solutions provider ShoreTel disagrees, with Mark Swendsen, Managing Director of EMEA at ShoreTel, believing IP phone systems are a replacement for traditional telephone systems and that they also provide flexible options for emergency services.
"Pure IP phone systems are no longer emerging; they are part of the foundation of today’s communications. ShoreTel has provided flexible 999 options since our inception. Furthermore we are the only vendor to provide – and for free – correct public safety answering point information on any combination of four methods: by site, switch, Caller ID, or IP address range, with multiple emergency number options by site.
VOIP provides a platform to make emergency calling more accurate, not less accurate. Companies are looking for vendors to provide flexible applications in this arena. Our E911/E999 solution, as an example, can bridge emergency calls with security staff so they can listen in on in-building emergency situations, to respond proactively and to assist emergency services as they arrive.”