Monthly Archives: January 2015

During these difficult economic times many companies are struggling to keep from going under. The costs to stay in business are growing while incoming revenue is steadily decreasing. Companies are looking for any way to save money. One proven way for them to lower costs is to bring an in-house conference system into an office. Many businesses currently outsource this service to telephone companies who charge premium rates. Charges range from 10 to 35 cents per minute per person. A 30 minute conference call with several people gets expensive rather quickly. Telcom & Data is pleased to introduce a product that prevents businesses from having to pay these unnecessarily high prices. A Conference Bridge by XOP Networks is a smart alternative to dealing with telephone companies. With audio conference bridges scaling from 8 ports to 960 ports, XOP Networks Conference Bridges are ideal for any sized business. These products support multiple conferencing options (Meet-me, Reservation-less, Group Dial etc.). In addition to audio conferencing these products support integrated web conferencing. The web conferencing features allows participants to share documents (Power Point, Excel etc.) and co-browse web sites. All of these products provide a Web based user interface for conference scheduling and system administration. Depending on your needs, ports can be: analog, digital T1/E1, VoIP, or a combination of the three. For systems with digital T1/E1, ports are provisioned in increments of 24 (North America) or 30 (Europe, CCITT). These products support all applicable legacy signaling standards including, analog Loop Start, E&M Wink Start and ISDN PRI. The VoIP trunk interface is based on industry standard Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). Visit Telcom & Data's website or call 800-335-0229 to learn more about how businesses can benefit from an in-house conference bridge by XOP Networks. 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 Plantronics CS500 XD Wireless Headset Series is a simple to use device for hands free phone calls. The new system replaces the CS50 as a solution for locations that use many wireless headsets. It allows for more wireless headsets to be used in the same area while maintaining clear conversations. The CS500 XD series is based on the design of the CS500 series and includes the same features. Call Management One touch call answer/end, volume control and mute allows for the user to manage calls from up to 350 feet from the charging base. The CS500 XD system supports conferencing for up to three XD Series headsets. New headsets connect to the base by simply docking the headset in the charging base. Audio Quality Designed for environments that use lots of wireless headsets, the CS500 XD Series features 900MHz with 3x more available channels compared to DECT 6.0. Choose between narrow or wideband professional grade audio quality. Narrowband extends talk time and wideband mode enables clearer conversations. An extended boom and noise-canceling microphone filter out background noise so listeners can hear conversations clearly. Enhanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) provides clear audio the way it's meant to be heard. Wearing Style Options The CS500 XD Series offers three comfort-tested wearing options: Convertible: Customizable for over-the-ear, over-the-head or behind-the-head use Over-the-head monaural: covers one ear for comfort and awareness of environment Over-the-head binaural: covers both ears for comfort, focus and blocking out background noise For more information about the New CS500 XD Wireless Headset system view it on Telcom & Data's website or call 800-335-0229.

While Hollywood’s portrayal of hackers may be slightly over exaggerated, the threat is real. Their version of hackers are interested in gaining government information. In reality hackers are after access to company’s phone lines. Hackers gain access to a business’s phone system and sell minutes to unsuspecting customers. This results in business’s receiving massive unforeseen phone bills large enough to ruin a small company.

With VOIP phone systems, Hackers have more opportunities than ever to steal phone services. It is important for a business to know how to protect themselves from this often forgotten threat.

Here are ten tips to help protect your company from becoming a hacker’s next victim.

1. Hire a company to do a thorough security analysis of your phone system security. This is ideal for smaller companies that can’t afford to pay a hacker’s massive telephone bill.

2. Be aware of your voice mail system. Hackers can gain access to a company’s phone lines through their voice mail system. It is important to make sure that a voice mail system does not use default passwords and that out bound calling features are turned off or well managed. Many voice mail systems can make out bound calls to notify you of messages. This feature can be used to make calls through your phone system.

3. Delete old voice mail boxes. In most businesses people come and go but voice mail boxes remain active and do not get removed.

4. Remove the Direct Inward System Access (DISA) feature from phones. DISA is a feature that allows companies to remotely use their phone systems to make outgoing calls. DISA is a favorite method among hackers to breach a phone system.

5. Be aware of Auto Attendant. Auto Attendant is used for routing calls and can transfer calls to offsite locations. Make sure this is turned off if you are not using it. If you are using this feature, change the passwords frequently.

6. Limit who has access to the call forwarding to outside numbers feature. Make sure that only those who need it have it and that the feature is turned off for everyone else.

7. Watch out for hackers posing as telephone company repairmen. A caller claiming to be a telephone company repairman calls and says he is testing the phone lines and will ask for the operator to transfer him to 910333 or 910XXX. These are access numbers to Sprint, or any other phone company, to make calls direct through your lines through the phone company’s network. The phone company will then bill back the call to you at the most expensive calling rate.

8. Remove old direct dial numbers that are no longer being used from your phone systems numbering scheme. They are another method that Hackers can use to get into your system.

9. Password protect conference call systems and conference bridges and use an in house bridge instead of an outside conference call service. This will give you maximum protection. In house conference bridges can be placed behind your company’s firewall and passwords can be changed for every conference.

10. Use Call Accounting Software such as Tapit Call Accounting. This type of software helps reduce unauthorized phone calls. The Tapit Fraud alert module sounds an alarm and sends you a text message when calling parameters are being breached.

Zultys, a premier provider of innovative unified communications solutions that empower businesses to collaborate effectively, today announced that TMC has named SuperViewTM as a recipient of a 2013 IP Contact Center Technology Pioneer Award from CUSTOMER magazine, the leading publication in the CRM, call center and teleservices industries since 1982.

SuperView provides contact center supervisors with a real-time snapshot of all vital contact center statistics. SuperView is part of Zultys’ all-in-One “Integrated Contact Center” solution and Unified Communications system that delivers advanced contact center features to organizations without the complexity associated with other competing solutions.

Zultys' contact center solutions fulfill a range of customer service and contact center needs, from high-capacity customer service operations across multiple locations to a company’s day-to-day call and front-office demands. Integrated within the Zultys MX family of IP phone systems, Zultys’ Contact Center software does not require any additional servers and is easy to use, manage and deploy. Zultys’ integrated contact center is robust and affordable for any size contact center, whether at a single site or at multiple locations, locally or globally. The solution features customized reporting tools to aid supervisors in improving productivity, efficiency and customer service at the center; call attached data, call recording, Web dial and integration with third-party CRM applications to ensure agent efficiency and quality; and a standard, companywide user interface to enable agents and supervisors to seamlessly handle overflow and priority calls. With the additional capabilities provided by SuperView, contact center supervisors get a real-time view of all essential statistical information to aid in both managing the productivity of their agents and improving customer service.

"We are honored to receive the 2013 IP Contact Center Technology Pioneer Award from such an established and well-regarded publication," said Steven Francis, chief sales and marketing officer at Zultys. “This award continues to recognize our innovation in IP contact center technology, as well as our strong reputation in the industry.”

The prestigious IP Contact Center Technology Pioneer Award honors companies that have produced innovative, ‘Best in Class’ IP contact center solutions in the last twelve months.

“Technology is absolutely essential to managing a successful, efficient call center,” said Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC. “This award recognizes those companies that have truly advanced contact center technology in the last twelve months thereby distinguishing themselves as industry leaders.”

“TMC is pleased to honor Zultys with an IP Contact Center Technology Pioneer Award for bringing superior, groundbreaking technologies to market while providing high quality and advanced applications,” continued Tehrani.

Winners of the IP Contact Center Technology Pioneer Award will be published in the July 2013 issue of CUSTOMER magazine.

For more information please visit www.tmcnet.com.

About Zultys
Zultys is the global provider of a true all-in-one unified communications solution. Innovative, reliable and scalable, Zultys IP phone systems integrate voice, video, data and mobility — in a single appliance — to optimize collaboration for businesses of all sizes. Zultys delivers a powerful, feature-rich communications system that is easy-to-use, deploy and maintain. Zultys is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices around the world. To learn more, visit www.zultys.com.
About Telcom & Data Inc.

Founded in 1996, Telcom & Data Inc. helps companies boost their bottom line through telecommunications technology. Thousands of businesses worldwide have benefited from our services, and we can provide a tailor-made solution for you, too.
WHAT DO WE DO?
Telcom & Data Inc. asks the questions that target your toughest business challenges. We provide complete telecommunications analysis based on your company’s vision, needs, growth, and budget. Our customized solutions will measurably improve your business.

Every product and service we offer has been tried and tested for reliability, ease of use, integration, and manufacturer’s support. Telcom & Data Inc. clients receive personalized attention from knowledgeable sales and technical staff. All products (except software) carry a 30-day money back guarantee.

Telcom & Data’s network of over 1600 technicians provide global service to keep our customers going without missing a beat. If a problem does arise, the service department answers our phones live. You will never be stuck talking to a machine at Telcom & Data Inc.

Out of all the concerns professional drivers face, safety is first. Telcom & Data, a leader in business phone systems, is pleased to introduce the Plantronics Blacktop 500 Bluetooth headset to enhance driver safety. The headset has been designed specifically to keep commercial drivers’ eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. The unit cancels road noise, stays comfortable all day, and lets drivers easily manage calls while complying with the federal law that bans handheld cell phone use.The Plantronics Blacktop 500 headset delivers great features for in-vehicle use. To ensure the highest level of performance and sound quality, the unit is designed to cancel out road and engine noises. The Blacktop 500 features Plantronics’ Smart Sensor™ technology which detects when the headset is being worn and automatically routes the audio – both calls and media like iTunes and Pandora – from the mobile phone to the headset whenever it’s put on. An in-vehicle charging system delivers unlimited talk time while driving and the USB connection can also be used for Internet chat or movies while taking a driving break.

“Professional drivers, such as cabbies, delivery people and long-haul truckers, have to deal with incredibly challenging communications issues while on the road,” said Lori Langona, director of consumer marketing at Plantronics. “The Blacktop 500 pulls out all the stops when it comes to comfort, sound quality, noise cancellation and hands-free convenience, so that these driving pros can get the job done without missing a step.”

For more information about the Plantronics Blacktop 500 phone headset, visit Telcom & Data’s website or call 1-800-335-0229.

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 including VoIP phones, conference phones, and headsets. Telcom & Data maintains a network of over 1500 technicians with locations in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Miami.

About Plantronics: Plantronics offers one of the industry's most complete families of corded and wireless products for unified communications. Widely recognized for their sound quality, reliability, and comfort, Plantronics' audio solutions help companies extend the benefits of IP communications.

Telcom & Data, a leading provider of business phone systems, is proud to introduce the new Allworx System Software 7.5 upgrade. Allworx is dedicated to manufacturing VoIP phone systems that help small businesses increase sales, enhance customer service and improve productivity. The most exciting feature of the new software upgrade is the Allworx Reach smartphone and tablet app.The Reach app provides users with a new way to communicate. In the past, bringing full phone system functionality to a mobile device was impossible. Now users can bring all the features of their IP-based Allworx phone to their iPhone or Android smartphone or tablet. The app is perfect for lawyers, sales professionals, and executives who need to work out of the office frequently. The app is also great for employers who provide work-at-home options.

The Reach app allows users to simultaneously make and receive multiple calls. With the simple push of a button, calls can be transferred, put on a conference call, or put on hold. Call history, contacts, and voicemail are all easily accessed.

“In my opinion, this is the best upgrade Allworx has released. The Reach app is truly innovative and demonstrates their commitment to delivering the best solutions for the modern workplace. And we all know the modern workplace is mobile,” said Ricardo Trinidad, President of Telcom & Data.

For more information on Allworx business phone systems, visit Telcom & Data’s website or call 1-800-335-0229.

Telcom & Data, a leader in business phone systems, introduces new Allworx Reach smartphone app. Reach allows users to tap into the rich functionality of their Allworx phone system. Because Reach is an Allworx-created solution designed exclusively to work with Allworx systems, setup is easy, it integrates seamlessly, and works flawlessly. The app works with both Apple and Android phones.
The Reach app boasts many handy and user-friendly features. Users can simultaneously make and receive multiple calls. With the simple push of a button, calls can be transferred, put on a conference call, or put on hold. Call history, contacts, and voicemail are all easily accessed.

Reach is a new licensed option within every Allworx server installed with System Software 7.5. No additional hardware purchase is necessary to use the app. Reach licenses are offered in cost-effective groups for small or large implementations.

When Ricardo Trinidad, President of Telcom & Data, was asked about the new app, he said, “We are a very proud provider of Allworx. The launch of the Reach app demonstrates their dedication to offering cutting edge solutions for today’s mobile workplace. Our Allworx customers will love this innovative solution."

For more information about the Allworx Reach app, visit Allworx.com or call Telcom & Data at 1-800-335-0229. To find the right Allworx system for your office, visit Telcom & Data’s website.

Telcom & Data, a leader in business phone systems, is pleased to introduce an affordable and easy-to use USB Phone Recorder. The recorder is ideal for keeping accurate records of important phone conversations such as conference calls, interviews, and sales calls. The phone recorder gives professionals peace of mind and business power. It ensures contractors deliver on price quotes and verbal agreements are kept. Moreover, the device guarantees important client information is never lost. It easily records calls right to a PC or laptop. Small and medium sized businesses and home office workers will especially love this product because of its ease of use and simple set-up. The device is perfect for attorneys, doctors, brokers, day traders, contractors, and salesmen.
The USB recorder boasts many great features. The recorder is small and can be easily stored in a laptop bag. The recorder and accompanying software takes less than 10 minutes to install. Once connected, users can record outbound calls, inbound calls, and even room conversations with the simple push of a button. Recorded calls can be played back immediately or they can be saved for later retrieval on your PC. As a further convenience, the sound files can be sent to others via e-mail.

When Ricardo Trinidad, President of Telcom & Data, was asked about the benefits of the recorder, he said, “It’s small and incredibly simple to use. These recorders will allow users to provide excellent customer service, while protecting themselves from false claims.”

For more information about the USB phone recorder, visit Telcom & Data’s website or call 1-800-335-0229.

Telcom & Data, a leader in emergency communication, is pleased to introduce the Viking E-50 series door entry phones for school safety. School safety is one of the most important issues in America today. By installing the Viking speaker phone outside the entrance of a school, the doors can remain locked and every person entering can be screened. The E-50 series phones are durable, attractive, and easy to use. The units are made of rugged stainless steel and are available in 5 attractive finishes. For outdoor use, Enhanced Weather Protection (EWP) is available. When a school visitor pushes the call button, they will immediately be connected to a call screener. The call screener can then answer the call and ensure the visitor has a valid reason for entering the building. Even more, the call screener will be able to see the visitor with the buit-in camera. When Ricardo Trinidad, President of Telcom & Data, was asked about the Viking E-50 series door entry camera phones, he said, “With the recent stories we have heard about in the media, we all know how important school safety is. These door entry camera phones provide an affordable and practical way to screen visitors and stop intruders from entering.” For more information on the Viking E-50 series door entry camera phones, visit Telcom & Data’s website or call 1-800-335-0229.

Telcom & Data, a leader in business phone systems, is pleased to offer refurbished Merlin Magix 4424D+ phones. The units have been fully restored and are in “like new” condition. Telcom & Data is now offering the phones at a fraction of the original price. The Merlin 4424D+ delivers all the features required for today’s professionals. The phone boasts 24 programmable buttons as well as hold, transfer, redial, and mute keys. Users are able to participate in conference calls with up to five individuals – two external and three internal parties. A two-way speakerphone and headset interface offers the convenience of hands-free communication. Additionally, the unit has a 2-line by 24-character LCD display that shows an alarm clock and timer, business directory, and caller id. When Ricardo Trinidad, President of Telcom & Data, was asked about the Merlin Magix 4424D+ phones, he said, “We are really happy to offer Refurbished phones from Avaya. Sometimes we get calls from customers that are looking for other brands because they don’t think they can afford Avaya. That’s when I tell them about our refurbished options and my quality guarantee.” For more information about the Merlin Magix 4424D+ phones, visit Telcom & Data’s website or call 1-800-335-0229. Telcom & Data also carry numerous other Avaya products including IP Office and Partner phones.