The world is now internet dependent from our homes to the offices. In our homes, we only need internet connection for basic operations such emails and social networking. However, businesses need more from their ISPs and telecom companies. We often don’t even know what is needed for our businesses unless we have an IT department and we sometimes lose out on technology that will make our businesses more efficient and productive. While not everyone can go back to school to study IT, we still can have some basic knowledge on what is offered by Metro Ethernet providers so as to know what services to enlist in.Below is a list of some of the terminologies used by business internet service providers coupled with their uses for your business:Voice over Internet ProtocolVoIP is basically a technology that uses the internet to pass on voice calls. This is therefore different from what we are used to with landlines and cell phones, since calls are transmitted online. The service is great for organizations that conduct business with organisations across the globe. So, why would you use this service instead of traditional telephones? Well, for starters, you save a lot from phone bills. With other calls you pay per minute, but this system is more cost effective since you can make as many calls as you wish paid under an umbrella fee to your ISP. You can also use the service to have conversations of more than two persons and therefore actually conduct a meeting across different areas.Multiprotocol Label SwitchingMPLS is a great resource for businesses that have major activities. The service is mainly to speed up traffic in your business network processes and hence create swift paths for transmission of data. The service comes with routers that are interconnected using Fast Ethernet protocols. The service has various benefits to your business, since it provides a fast way to use office networks. It is also very secure in comparison to wireless networks and also quite effective in disaster recovery since you can get to your locations of back-up fast.Virtual Private NetworkVPN allows business continuity regardless of where you and your staff are located. This technology allows access to your central network in a secure manner when you or your employees are in not in the same location. The system uses the infrastructure your business already has in place such as DSL or phone lines with high security measures in place. The service is useful if you travel a lot in the course of your business since you easily access your business network and share files amongst other official duties.EthernetYou have probably heard the terms Ethernet over Fiber or Gigabit Ethernet services and wondered what Ethernet is. If your business has various interconnected computers on one network, then you are already using the Ethernet technology. It is used to connect equipment such as printers and computers for easy sharing of resources and internet. There are various Ethernet options such as Ethernet over Copper. Your Ethernet provider will be in a position to guide you better on the best technology for your business needs.