Transcoding or tandeming occurs when a voice signal passes through multiple codecs, for example, when the call coverage is applied on a branch office system to a centralized voice mail system. These calls might experience multiple transcodings including, for example, G.729 across the WAN and G.711 into the voice mailbox. Each transcoding action results in degradation of voice quality. Avaya products minimize transcoding using methods such as shuffling and hairpinning.