These include lack of emergency calling, call security, and sound quality. Because VoiP providers, including Skype, are a bypass to the conventional phone system, they do not typically provide emergency calling services (Schueneman, no date). Thus, the firm will have a more difficult time accessing police or fire services. It must be considered how often such services are needed by the office.
The second consideration is with respect to call security. Skype's security is proprietary and a closely guarded secret (the Economist, 2008). Thus, the level of call security on Skype is unknown. For a legal firm, the potential outcomes in the event of a breach in call security can be catastrophic. Cases could be lost, sensitive information could be revealed and the firm's reputation could be damaged (Nugent, 2007).
The final consideration is with respect to sound quality. Skype and other VoiP software are often of substandard sound quality. While they are improving in this regard, it should be noted that poor sound quality could reflect poorly on the firm. It is unknown whether or not this would affect business, but it could potentially have a negative impact. We would still have land lines in order that clients can reach us with our old telephone...
The cost savings range between £1000 and £1800 under all reasonable and unreasonable discount rate scenarios. However, this does not factor the potential damage that could occur as a result of a breach in security. Not only is the likelihood of such a breach unknown, but if it were to occur the costs are going to be much higher than £2000, and could cripple the firm for years to come. Therefore, this risk negates any cost savings the firm will see.
Works Cited
Schueneman, Thomas. (no date). The Advantages and Disdvantages of Using VoiP. EZine. Retrieved March 2, 2009 at http://ezinearticles.com/?the-Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-Using-VoIP&id=147921
No author. (2008). Tossing the Phone. The Economist. Retrieved March 2, 2009 at http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12404892
Nugent, Todd. (2007). Mitigating VoiP Security and Privacy Risks. Law.com. Retrieved March 2, 2009 at http://www.law.com/jsp/legaltechnology/pubArticleLT.jsp?id=900005483517
