Monthly Archives: January 2015

Finding a way to save some money, even a small amount, can be vital for today's small businesses. With a strong Internet connection, changing phone systems over to VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) can help keep expensive, unnecessary long-distance and roaming charges off phone bills, saving plenty of cash. There are plenty of advantages in switching from landlines or cell phones to VoIP, and a recent release from VoIPReview.com has revealed three of the best reasons to cut the line and communicate over the Internet. One way VoIP can save money is by preventing expensive, unnecessary interactions with phone companies. Phone companies can charge large fees not only for monthly contracts, but also to send in technicians every time a line needs to be added or a desk needs an extension changed. Also, wires can create extensive, annoying clutter all across an office. As VoIP can be entirely wireless, not only does the clutter disappear, the service calls do too. VoIP can simply run on a pre-existing Internet connection; should you pay for a VoIP carrier, odds are their prices will be competitive. VoIP services can also cut down heavily on fax expenses. Fighting with unresponsive machines and spending too much to send papers through fax aren't necessary any longer; over IP, documents can be sent directly over the Internet. Paper and ink costs won't be as expensive and won't take up space around the office. Mobile VoIP is a third, ingenious way to cut down on costs while boosting productivity. Business VoIP plans can offer mobile apps and programs for smartphones, computers and tablets, meaning employees can always be in touch. Employees working remotely or from home can especially benefit from this service, as the programs can easily connect to any wireless Internet connection; as a result, it'd be easier than ever to keep in touch with employees, cutting down on office costs in the process. VoIP is a quickly growing industry, reported by Forbes to be worth as much as $15 billion. 30 million Americans pay for VoIP services, though that number does not include those who use free VoIP services. Telecom industry piece brought to you by Marlin Equipment Finance, leaders in telecommunications equipment financing. Marlin is a nationwide provider of equipment financing solutions supporting equipment suppliers and manufacturers in the security, food services, healthcare, information technology, office technology and telecommunications sectors. Article written by Brian E. Walsh - See more at: http://www.telcom-data.com

Imagine being in charge of a large company with offices spread out across the region. Being able to stay in constant contact with all the sections of the widespread organization is vital. When separated by large distances, in person meetings are not a realistic option. A method for having immediate meetings with distant people is necessary. Quickly getting a group of people together in a video conference could save a company from tragedy. Telcom & Data supplies products that provide this feature. Polycom HDX Collection Video Conferencing Systems allow for high definition video conferencing across any distance.
An HDX Polycom Video Conferencing System is the closest a company can get to face to face meetings without actually being in the same room. Polycom Siren 22 and Polycom Stereo Surround technologies provide life-like conference audio. A single microphone allows attendees to hear remote participant's voices through left and right dual-mode speakers.

The HDX system is powerful enough to pick up the most subtle of sounds and transmit them to others in the conference. This enables clearer communications and more efficient meetings. With this Polycom video conferencing system expect high quality video conferencing and a new benchmark for stylish elegance and versatility.

To learn more about the Polycom HDX Collection Video Conferencing System visit Telcom & Data's website or call 800-335-0229.

About Telcom & Data: Since 1996 Telcom & Data has been providing thousands of telecommunications solutions to organizations around the world to measurably improve communications. The company is a leader in business phone systems, intercom systems, and mass notification products. Telcom & Data maintains a network of over 1600 technicians with locations in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Miami.

While employees may be the most vocal about it, they aren't the only ones in the office affected by the summer heat. Server enclosures are in danger of overheating and damaging the equipment they hold. As smaller and more powerful servers are placed together in large configurations there is an increased risk of overheating. Even with costly floor space and air conditioning additions, companies still struggle with uneven cooling and hot air recirculation resulting from heat exhaust from other enclosures. Telcom & Data provides Great Lakes Water Cooled Server Racks as a solution to this serious problem. The Closed Loop Water Cooled Server Rack is a 36 rack mount unit. This rack takes up 50% less floor space by eliminating the need for raised floor cooling systems and for hot and cold aisles. The cooling system uses low pressure chilled water to remove the heat produced by the servers. The unit consumes up to 40% less energy than a traditional infrastructure. The high-tech cooling system limits the risk of overheating individual servers which will in turn save on maintenance costs. Customized options include a fully-configured enclosure or a kit to convert any 42" or deeper ES Series enclosure from an air cooled unit to a water-based, liquid cooled unit. For more information about Closed Loop Water Cooled Server Rack by Great Lakes Case & Cabinet visit Rack-cabinets.com or call 800-335-0229. About Rack-cabinets.com and Telcom & Data: Since 1996 Telcom & Data has been providing thousands of telecommunication solutions to organizations around the world to measurably improve communications. The company is a leader in server racks and business phone systems. Telcom & Data maintains a network of over 1600 technicians with locations in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Miami. Rack-cabinets.com offers a wide variety of data center equipment and is powered by Telcom & Data. About Great Lakes Case & Cabinet: Great Lakes Case & Cabinet is a leading manufacturer of racks, wall mount and free-standing enclosures, technical furniture/command center systems and accessories for the data, communication, broadcast, sound, and security industries. At Great Lakes, quality products and world-class customer service have been the company's guiding principles for more than 25 years.

With gas prices being as high as they are, commuting is not as practical for employees as it once was. A company could lose some of their most talented employees because they can't afford to drive long distances to work. Something must be done to attract new employees and retain current ones that face long daily commutes. Telcom & Data is excited to provide a product to solve this issue. Multi-Tech VoIP Gateways make it possible for employees to work from home and spend more time with their families.
Offering telecommuting to employees makes sense now more than ever. Multi-Tech VoIP internet telephone gateways make it easy for anyone to work outside of the office. Telecommuters can work remotely and still be connected to the office phone system. The office phone system features can be accessed remotely. When a telecommuter goes off hook and dials out they will be connecting through the main offices phone lines. Telecommuters can be transferred calls, intercom, use the paging system and many other system features.

Multi-Tech VoIP Gateways are simple to connect and work with most phone systems regardless of age. Telecommuting is the ideal employee benefit. If your company is not offering it to employees, your competitor will.

For more information about Multi-Tech VoIP Gateways and telecommuting, visit Telcom & Data's website or call 800-335-0229.

About Telcom & Data: Since 1996 Telcom & Data has been providing thousands of telecommunications solutions to organizations around the world to measurably improve communications. The company is a leader in business phone systems, intercom systems, and mass notification products. Telcom & Data maintains a network of over 1600 technicians with locations in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Miami.

About Multi-Tech: Multi-Tech Systems offers the industry's most comprehensive M2M (machine-to-machine) communications products and services portfolio available today. As a leader in M2M and Unified Communications for more than 40 years, Multi-Tech's reputation for reliability and innovative design is evident with 80+ patents, 20+ million devices being used by thousands of customers worldwide.

Forgetting what a client, attorney, doctor or personal acquaintance said over the phone could result in a loss of business and credibility. People aren't always clear over the phone and it is easy to misunderstand them. It would be useful to be able to double check what was said in a conversation. Telcom & Data is pleased to provide a product to fill this need. The RecordMyCalls USB Recorder automatically records all phone conversations on a single line into a voice database stored on a computer. The simple to use device records both sides of the conversation on calls made from any cord or wireless phone on the same phone line. Each call can be manually recorded or it can be set to automatically record any call that's made or received. The RecordMyCalls USB Recorder comes with management software that allows for instant crystal clear playback of the phone calls through the computer's speakers. The simple management software automatically time and date stamps recorded files so it is easy to search and find a conversation on the computer. It also records caller's ID so that conversations can be searched by name. The software allows for notes to be added to the audio files and for them to be sent via email. Sound files are compressed so they don't take up much hard drive space on the computer. If you can plug in a phone, you will have no trouble installing the RecordMyCalls USB Recorder. The entire process will take less than five minutes. The simple computer software only takes minutes to install on the computer. Once installed, the USB recorder is maintenance free. No tapes or batteries are needed. Visit Telcom & Data's website or call 800-335-0229 for more information about the RecordMyCalls USB Recorder. About Telcom & Data: Since 1996, Telcom & Data has been providing thousands of telecommunications solutions to organizations around the world to measurably improve communications. The company is a leader in business phone systems, intercom systems, and mass notification products. Telcom & Data maintains a network of over 1600 technicians with locations in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Miami.

Being able to feel safe and secure in your own home is something that everyone should feel. Unfortunately there are people that do not have this luxury. Older apartment buildings with outdated entry systems are often not as secure as they should be. A malfunctioning door phone could cause tenants to unknowingly let unwanted people into the building. An entry system should have clear audio so that the person can be easily identified. Telcom & Data has products that make residents feel safe in their apartment building. Door Phone Intercoms from Viking will help prevent unwanted guests from entering an apartment building. Viking makes entry systems for apartment buildings of any size. Their ADA Compliant Multi-Tenant Door Entry System with Voice/LCD Assist allows for up to 525 names to be programmed into the built in directory. With this system, once an apartment number is selected a pre-programmed phone number is dialed and provides two way communication. If the proper touch tone command is entered on the apartment phone, the door can be unlocked. The ADA Compliant Multi-Tenant Door Entry System is available in flush and surface mount configurations. The easy to use system includes a ½ inch high digital display to show the directory of the people in the building and directions. A built in voice recorder can also provide a verbal message. An EZ access button provides written and verbal information on how to use the system. The metal keypad allows for keyless entry capabilities. Both versions were designed with strength and durability in mind. A Stainless steel front panel, abrasion resistant display lens, and speaker protection screen make the ADA Compliant Multi-Tenant Door Entry System vandal resistant. It also includes weather resistant features able to withstand any type of severe weather. For more information about the ADA Compliant Multi-Tenant Door Entry System with Voice/LCD by Viking, visit Telcom & Data's website or call 800-335-0229. About Telcom & Data: Since 1996 Telcom & Data has been providing thousands of telecommunications solutions to organizations around the world to measurably improve communications. The company is a leader in business phone systems, intercom systems, and mass notification products. Telcom & Data maintains a network of over 1600 technicians with locations in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Miami.

The economy has caused companies to make every effort they can to save money. This results in cutbacks being made in an effort to get the most out of their dollar as possible. One area where a cutback could pose a problem is in the maintenance and support of Avaya phone systems. For this service the amount of money spent usually relates to the quality of the coverage received. A cheaper phone system service may end up costing a business more if a major problem occurs with the Avaya system. Telcom & Data proudly offers a service that differs from this trend. Avaya Support and Phone System Maintenance promises to reduce costs without reducing protection. Companies that make the switch to Telcom & Data's Avaya support service frequently cut maintenance costs by 30%. Other phone system services offer less coverage and cost more. Telcom & Data offers solutions that will save money. If a major problem happens, the monthly maintenance plan covers the unplanned costs. 24/7 alarm monitoring provides constant security and the fastest response time for service. Telcom & Data offers complete Avaya phone system maintenance, upgrades and repairs. The complete maintenance program covers all parts and labor and a technician assigned to each account. There are three coverage plans offered by Telcom & Data. The Full Coverage plan includes PBX, Voicemail, and Handsets (excludes wireless handsets). The Switch and Voicemail plan has the same coverage as the previous plan but it excludes all handsets. The final plan is Remote Support and Monitoring Only. For this service all parts and onsite labor are billable. Telcom & Data services Avaya (Definity, IP Office, Merlin, Partner, Audix, Communication Manager, Lucent), Allworx VoIP Phones, Nortel (Norstar) and Intertel phone systems. When asked about the Avaya Support Service, Ricardo Trinidad, president of Telcom & Data said,  Telcom & Data wants businesses to know that we will continue to support out of date Avaya phone systems no matter how old. For more information on Telcom & Data's Avaya Support and Phone System Maintenance Service and how to receive a free quote, visit Telcom & Data's website or call 800-355-0229. About Telcom & Data: Since 1996 Telcom & Data has been providing thousands of telecommunications solutions to organizations around the world to measurably improve communications. The company is a leader in business phone systems, intercom systems, and mass notification products. Telcom & Data maintains a network of over 1600 technicians with locations in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Miami.

VOIP telephony , a technology that allows employees to work from home, could be the most important measure a business takes today in preparing for the possibility of an swine flu pandemic. Without this infrastructure in place, death and illness and fear could easily cripple a business' workforce.

According to a Washington Post article from writer David Brown , more than half of U.S. companies think there will be a global flu epidemic in the next two years. Two-thirds think it will seriously disrupt their operations and two-thirds say they aren't prepared.

Is your company prepared? Has anyone been appointed to plan for a pandemic?

Tommy G. Thompson, who heads the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions in Washington, estimates that only one in five U.S. companies "are in good position in terms of being able to react -- and even those are going to have to restructure and improve their plans."

Models have suggested that at least a third of the population is likely to become ill in each wave, with peak absenteeism somewhat higher, about 40 percent of the workforce. Depending on the strain's virulence, 900,000 to 10 million people might be hospitalized, and 200,000 to 2 million might die.

Absenteeism can also be attributed to working moms who need to stay to take care of sick family members.

Given this scenario, the consultants say, companies should expect that an swine flu pandemic will kill some employees, temporarily cripple workforces, and sow confusion and fear, as well as force people to make harrowing decisions between allegiances to work or family. It would make communication difficult, threaten supply chains, and probably interrupt production of goods and delivery of services.

Because of this businesses are encouraged to become a co-leader with government in preparing for an swine flu epidemic, including the implementation of VOIP telephony. Fear is worse than disease, making communication vital. Password-protected Web sites are a good way to communicate with employees. Companies are better than government or medical institutions at rotating fresh people onto crisis-management teams. Fear of lost wages is the single biggest concern when workers are asked to home-quarantine, so companies should have clear policies in advance.

The US Government Department of Health and Human Services suggestions include enhancing communications and information technology infrastructures as needed to support employee telecommuting and remote customer access.

Who can work at home? Who needs IT upgrades in advance to make that possible? Who needs to come in? These are just a few questions needed to be addressed when planning for a pandemic.

VOIP telephony is the technology that can help employees work from home. With more and more households having high speed Internet access in place already, implementing VOIP is inexpensive and easy. Manufacturers such as Avaya offer all-in-one IP Office communication systems that can enable your business to work virtually.

Investing in VOIP telephony can help a business survive an swine flu pandemic. For more information on how a company can plan for business continuity during a pandemic call 800-335-0229 or click here for the Department of Health and Human Services check list.

The environment of the present day market is very competitive and challenging for business organizations, specially, the new and small sized ones. With the different business phone systems available in the market, survival has become easy for these organizations.

An efficient and effective medium of communication is essential for every business organization for increasing its productivity and growing even in the cut throat competition. The small business phone systems available in the market have emerged as one of the best mediums of communications, which help organizations to maintain regular and effective communications with all the clients, employees and business partners, specially the ones located in other parts of the country or world. Therefore, with the help of these systems, organizations can improve their productivity through enhanced communications and succeed in the market.

Although a small business phone system is not equipped with all the latest features like the VoIP phones and the latest conferencing phones, it comes with the basic features which prove helpful and highly beneficial for the small and newly setup businesses.

Telephone technology is being developed and is growing with each passing day. Due to increased number of manufactures and widespread popularity and demand, even the latest business phone systems are offered in prices which can be afforded by several small and medium sized businesses as well. Therefore, the usages of the latest communication equipments are no more restricted to the large organizations alone.

The VoIP phones are the latest phone systems available in the market. These systems are being widely acclaimed by business organizations of all sizes and from different sectors because of the number of benefits which these offer.

VoIP gateways and phone systems facilitate to make voice calls over the internet. Because of the low call costs, VoIP technology has emerged as highly beneficial especially for the large organizations, which need to make hundreds of calls to clients and customers on a daily basis.

No matter whether an organization decides to invest in small business phone systems or in the latest ones, it is important to first identify the business communication requirements and the budget, and then invest in a system accordingly. This will help to ensure that the goals of the organization are met in the best way and within the minimum time period.

You must have many a times heard about VoIP and VoIP gateways. But do you know what these technologies actually are?

To understand what a VoIP gateway is, you first need to understand what VoIP technology is. VoIP is the term used for Voice over Internet Protocol . It refers to the technology which facilitates transmission of voice traffic over internet networks. Internet protocol was originally developed for sharing data. After its immense success, the technology was adapted for sharing voice networking.

More and more number of business organizations have started to use VoIP instead of the traditional PSTN for communicating because it is cheaper and more useful than the other mediums of voice communications. Some of the benefits of using VoIP technology and VoIP phones include:

VoIP facilitates to transmit more than one phone call on a single broadband phone line. Therefore, more telephone lines can be installed by the business at a lower cost.
Like business phone systems, VoIP phones too, have many advanced features such as call forwarding, caller ID, call waiting etc. For these features, the businesses don' t have to pay any extra charges.
VoIP offers unified and secured communications, which can be integrated with other internet based services such as video conferencing, web conferencing etc for enhancing the business communication.
Now let us discuss what VoIP gateways are. Gateways are devices which convert telephony traffic into internet protocol so that data can be transferred over a network. These are generally used in the following two ways:

For converting PSTN to VoIP. A VoIP gateway facilitates to receive and place VoIP calls on a regular telephone network. With the VoIP technology, businesses can make larger volumes of calls at much lower prices.
To connect traditional PBX and other business phone systems to an IP network. A VoIP gateway allows making a call using VoIP technology instead of a regular telephone line. Business can either buy these services from a reputed and reliable VoIP service provider or can route the calls through the internet to reduce the call charges.
VoIP gateways are available in the form of external units and PCI cards. However, most of the business organizations prefer using the external units as their VoIP devices. Every VoIP gateway has a connector for getting connected to the IP network and one or more number of ports for connecting the phones lines to it.