[The Times](http://timesonline.co.uk/) published a supplement on Wednesday titled: *Internet Telephony: Your guide to VoIP technology for business*, which highlights some of the benefits of switching from conventional phones to VoIP systems.

Naturally, the feature includes plenty of discussion of Skype, and a real focus on the [benefits of Skype and other VoIP solutions for small businesses](http://share.skype.com/sites/uk/2007/02/skype_pro_in_the_uk.html).

More interestingly, the supplement doesn’t just emphasise the financial benefits of switching to VoIP — it also discusses the productivity enhancements. Even just in the simplest sense:

> When voice and data are combined over an IP network, staff can suddenly work together far more effectively, looking up each other’s status on the system so they make sure they do not call when someone is ‘away’ or ‘busy’. Dialling numbers is also improved by being made as simple a selecting an icon on a corporate directory.

These benefits are reflected in the feedback from Lewis and Hickey Architects, who [I wrote about previously](http://share.skype.com/sites/uk/2007/02/skype_pro_in_the_uk.html). We’ve made a video about their experiences, which you can watch below:

How do you use Skype to enhance productivity? I mean, the emoticons are good, right?