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With the reduction in the prices of video conferencing systems, this technology is gaining a faster popularity and a steep rise in demand. Earlier video conferencing technology was very expensive and could be afforded only by the big and some medium sized organizations. But the reduced prices have now brought this solution well within the reach of organizations of all sizes.

Video conferencing microphone and other equipments have now become so cheap that these equipments are being used as standard equipments in the conference rooms of almost all the organizations located in the different parts of the world. It facilitates the users to get connected to each other and communicate via audio and visuals. The distance between the different parties do not act as an obstacle in the video conferences.

Video conferencing solutions help organizations to cut down travel expenses. It also saves time and facilitates to take quick decisions and actions during times of emergency. Therefore, over a short period of time, the expenditure incurred on the video conferencing equipments and services are recovered from the many benefits which it offers.

There are wide varieties of units available for desktop video conferencing in the market. The first and the foremost thing which an organization needs to consider before purchasing any unit is the size of its conference room and the number of members expected to participate in a conference at a time. While choosing the best video conferencing unit, an organization should also consider its compatibility and near future expansion prospects. This will ensure that the organization does not have to spend unnecessarily on another unit within a year or two.

Video conferencing systems are being widely embraced by organizations of all sizes as they offer a number of benefits to businesses. This technology can be used in different environments to cater different requirements. Video conferencing is most commonly used for conducting business meetings, trainings, online seminars etc.

Video conferencing solutions are being widely used in the fields of telemedicine, telecommunication, education, surveillance, security, emergency response etc.

The organizations using video conferencing systems for improving their businesses are deriving many benefits from its use. Some of the advantages are mentioned below:

The basic advantage of using video conferencing is that it facilitates people located remotely to meet up without having to travel. Therefore, it enables efficient communication between people, while saving both time and money.
Another advantage of using video conferencing is that it facilitates to conduct business meetings, seminars, training sessions etc, while the participants are located in different places.
It fastens decision making processes and facilitates to take quicker actions during times of emergency.
It facilitates better sharing of data and knowledge. Business organizations can use this technology for making presentations to the important members of an organization even if they are separated by vast distances.

Video conferencing offers virtually endless potentials for business communications. But to make the most out of this technology, it is important that, good quality video conferencing systems and services are used by the organizations.

For buying high quality video conferencing equipments at the best prices, you can visit www.telcom-data.com.

Telcom Data Inc Provides Telephone System Maintenance on all Avaya and Lucent Manufactured telephone systems. If you own an Avaya or Lucent manufactured telephone system, including Definity, Merlin legend, Merlin Magix, IP Office, Partner ACS or Merlin , Telcom & Data can provide you with a complete telephone maintenance plan that covers your business completely on all parts and labor.

We offer service agreements that will provide businesses with the highest level of customer satisfaction, quick response time at up to a 30% savings.

* Telcom & Data a provider AVAYA and Lucent telephone system products will save you up to 30% on your current service contract.

* Your service agreement covers you fully on all parts and labor.

* 96% percent of all problems can be fixed remotely through our TelAgent system.

* Telcom & Data’s staff of Lucent/Avaya trained technicians are on call 24 hours a day.

* Telcom & Data stocks the complete line of Merlin Legend telephones, circuit packs, processors, and voice mail.

* Free telephone programming support.

* 800# repair hotline is manned 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year for your added security.

* Your Telcom & Data service agreement will provide you with remote maintenance and emergency on site response.

* Your Telcom & Data Agreement provides you with 2 hour major alarm response time and 8 hour minor alarm response time. Our technicians can program and diagnose problems remotely.

*Your Telcom & Data Agreement includes an annual on site technician visit at no charge.

The bottom line is reduced administration and unsurpassed commitment to your communication needs and a greater level of service that can't be matched. To find out how your company can save and receive the personalized attention, fax a copy of your most recent maintenance bill to 312-432-1168 or call us at 800-335-0229.

Telcom & Data has recently announced that it will provide remote support services for all
Avaya and Lucent manufactured phone systems including Definity, Merlin Legend, Merlin Magix, IP Office, Partner ACS, Merlin, Spirit and other systems.
Remote support services can be purchased in as little as ½ hour time increments starting at only $ 55.00 per half hour on most systems except Definity and IP Office which start at $ 70.00 per ½ hour.

Providing affordable remote maintenance services has been difficult to find. Avaya charges a 4 hour minimum of $ 600.00 per hour which makes support unaffordable.
Telcom & Data covers extension programming, lines and trunks, cover groups, voice mail, night service and other programming.

Telcom & Data also offers remote trouble shooting and diagnostics. If Telcom & Data can not resolve a customers issue remotely, Telcom & Data offers nationwide service capabilities for on site support.

For more information or help please call 800-335-0229. All services are guaranteed.

Tried to book a flight to or from a smaller regional airport lately? US Airlines are cutting flights across the board in an attempt to reduce the already huge losses which may be as high as 12 billion collectively this year. Not Since 2002 has the airline industry been hit this hard. Reducing service by as much as 50% to smaller regional airports is just one strategy the airlines are enacting, raising the costs of tickets is another. Competition for fewer seats will also add to making a bad situation worse.

How will your company deal with fewer flights and higher travel costs?

Implementing audio and video conferencing systems can help your company stay in touch with your customers as well as reduce travel costs and headaches. With the cost of bandwidth becoming cheaper IP Audio and Video Conferencing Solutions make more sense then ever.

Telcom & Data offers a full range of collaboration tools designed to help you stay in touch with your customers, employees and vendors on a global basis. We offer Avaya IP Office for VoIP communications for remote workers, state of the art Polycom HD video conferencing, as well as reservationless web based audio and web conferencing systems.
Never before has so much technology been available to help you reduce travel costs and stay in touch with customers.

A recent conversation with Tom Cervino IT Manager at M3 Companies a multi location real-estate development company of master planned communities in the South West brought to light that not only has video conferencing reduced travel but in fact has vastly improved communications between locations as they are able to meet more regularly.

If your company is looking at ways to combat the reduction in airline service and the higher costs of travel check out our new Going Green area of Telcom & Data web site. Going Green is packed with user friendly solutions that can help your company stay in touch, save money and lower carbon emissions. If you would like to discuss ways your company can implement a Green Solution call us at 800-335-0229

Last weekend hackers were able to hack in to the FEMA phone system to rack up over $ 12,000 worth of phone bills. FEMA is part of Homeland Security, which in 2003 put out a warning about phone system hacking. Most of the calls were calls in to the Middle East including Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, India and Yemen.

The type of hacking done was termed very “old school” and the FBI is currently investigating the matter and added “phone system hacking is usually very difficult to track”.

One of the best ways to protect your business from hackers is by using a call accounting system or software like Tapit Call Accounting Software. Tapit provides detailed reports on all call activity but is also has a fraud component. The Tapit Fraud Alert Module protects your company from a 3 billion dollar problem facing business today. The average fraud price tag is $ 42,000.00 . The Tapit Fraud alert module alarms you when set calling parameters are being breached by sounding an alarm and sending out text messages.

Fortunately for TAX payers the problem was caught by Sprint only after $ 12,000 worth of calls were made. It could have been much worse. The hackers could of placed many more thousands of dollars worth of calls. In most instances, companies do not realize they have hacked until they receive a new phone bill.
.FEMA will ultimately be responsible for the $ 12,000.00 worth of phone bills.

Hacking occurs routinely but rarely makes the news unless it is a high profile hacking such as FEMA. A typical hacking occurs to small and med size companies that can ill afford a $ 12,000 plus phone bill. The US Courts have repeatedly sided with the phone companies in determining who is responsible for paying the hackers phone bill. For one non-profits experience check out the story about Check out the story about 4Help Non Profits. If you would like more information on how to protect your business from telephone hacking, call Telcom & Data at 800-335-0229.

Effective September 1st 2008 Polycom will be raising prices across the board on all Audio and Video conferencing equipment. Polycom is adjusting prices due to macro-economic factors including rapidly increasing costs of gas and oil and a general increase in the costs of materials required to manufacture and deliver their products. In general the price increase will be 3%, with some products and/or services going higher. Order now and beat the increase!

If you are looking to purchase New Polycom products in the near future, please do so by August 31 as that is the last day we will be able to honor any outstanding quotes. Call us at 800-335-0229 and save on all video conferencing and audio conferencing products before the price increase.

Telcom & Data is pleased to announce it’s Green Office area on it’s corporate web site This part of our site is designed to provide you with the latest technology to help your office lower its carbon footprint, save money, retain and hire better people as well as saving time. Lowering you office’s carbon footprint not only makes sense for the environment, but it also makes perfect business sense. All of the Green Technologies in this area are proven to work, and are being used by thousands of companies worldwide, including here at Telcom & Data. I am passionate about these products because they make such a huge difference, not only on our environment but also in our lives. I am dedicated to helping you reap the incredible benefits of these technologies.

To learn more how your company can benefit from Green Office click here: http://www.telcom-data.com/going-green.aspx

Telcom & Data Inc. is now offering the new Forum Communications Confer SE audio conference bridges. The Confer SE provides big conferencing features on an affordable platform. Lowering conferencing costs makes a lot of sense these days and having a system that delivers meet me conferencing and management features is key.

The Forum Confer SE is an analog bridge that comes in 3 different configurations including 8, 16, and 24 ports with an optional T1 integration available. Previous systems manufactured by Forum Communications include Confer II, Confer III and Consortium. Users of the older Confer II system are upgrading to the Confer SE to take advantage of the easy analog migration. The Confer SE is designed to work on most Digital, Analog, Hybrid or IP phone systems. The powerful feature set includes:
Built-in web server view status and configure with your browser
View names of attendees
Drop, mute, and unmute control feature
View voice activity/mute status
View log all conference room activity through your browser
19 " Rack mountable
Optional T1 Interface
Companies installing a conference bridge can usually see an ROI in only a few months.
For more information on Forum Confer SE audio conference bridges call 800-335-0229

Plantronics has announced the latest Polycom Electronic Hookswitch Adapter (EHS). The Plantronics Polycom EHS now supports the SoundPoint IP 320*, 330*, 430, 550, 560, 650, and 670 model phones. These phones require a firmware update from Polycom to support the Plantronics Polycom EHS. Please contact Polycom for availability information. The Plantronics Polycom EHS works with the following Plantronics wireless headsets: CS55, CS70N, SupraPlus Wireless and Voyager 510S. With the new Plantronics Polycom EHS, you will experience the following benefits when using Plantronics wireless headsets:
Always be aware of incoming calls, even when away from your desk, with the headset ring alert.
Freedom to move around the office and accept and end calls from wherever you are with your wireless headset call control button.
Direct connection to your Polycom SoundPoint IP phone, which eliminates the need for a mechanical handset lifter device.
*The 320 and 330 require a 2.5mm to RJ-9 adapter, which is available from Polycom.
The new Polycom Electronic Hookswitch Adapter (EHS) (APP-5) (part number 38438-01) will be orderable as of August 15, 2008 and shippable as of September 1, 2008 Call toll free to advance order 800-335-0229

Telcom & Data announces the sale of the new XOP Networks IP Teleconferencing system to AT&T. AT&T the world’s largest communications holding company with over 71.4 million customers and a 2007 Performa Revenue of 170 Billion Dollars selected the XOP Networks Conferencing Bridge to provide conferencing for their Mobility Switching Operation in California.

XOP Networks designs and manufactures next generation conferencing solutions for small, medium and large enterprise and service provider customers - worldwide. Our products support Audio Conferencing, Web Conferencing, Enhanced Firebar, Mass Notification, Switch Announcements and Voicemail services. All of these services are accessible over legacy TDM and next generation VoIP networks. Our products find their use in many verticals including manufacturing plants, oil and gas, homeland security, local city and county governments, utilities, education and entertainment.

For more information on how your company can reduce conferenicg costs with an inhouse XOP Networks Teleconferencing System Call Telcom & Data at 800-335-0229.