Allworx, a Windstream company, has announced new security practices in response to recent Hacking Issues. 

Suggested Security Best Practices

Overview

One of the primary advantages of the Allworx family of products is its flexibility in configuration and settings in a way that is easy to understand. Security is an important consideration, and we are constantly striving to improve our systems to protect our customers.

We are investigating reported instances and have seen fraudulent SIP registration attacks that search public IP addresses and gain access to either an Allworx server or, most recently, to remote Allworx handsets not installed behind a firewall. We have also received reports of recent toll fraud incidents in which fraudulent attacks take over the SIP registration of an Allworx handset attached to a public network. This document summarizes the security best practices to prevent security compromises.

What You Should Do

• Update Allworx server to the most recent patch level of  7.6 . These patches change each Allworx phone SIP registration passwords during the phone reboot.
• Install the server behind a firewall or connect it to the public internet using the WAN port. DO NOT connect the Allworx LAN port directly onto the public internet.
• Disable Allworx WAN services (ports) not in use.
• Change voicemail ports (SMTP and IMAP) to non-standard port numbers.
• Change all server admin, phone admin, and user passwords from the default values.
• Use strong passwords for server and phone administration pages. DO NOT use simple passwords such as “1234″ or “Allworx”.
• Verify that there is no exposure of the Admin Page (Port 8080) to the Public network. DO NOT port forward directly to the LAN port of an Allworx server from the customer’s router. For remote maintenance, use the Allworx VPN. Navigate to Home > Network > VPN > modify to configure the VPN settings.

For more information about Allworx please contact Telcom & Data at 800-335-0229

Upgrade Your Allworx Phone System Against Hacking

Just like Wayne Hancock said Lord I love Thunderstorms and Neon Signs.   In my case I love thunderstorms because there is sure to be an uptick in business as lighting. power outages and power surges wreak havoc on phone systems.  With the weather becoming more severe these days its really important to check and test your UPS battery back up systems for  run time and functionality. Unfortunately for many businesses its usually when you really need your battery back up system to work that you realize it is no longer protecting the data and phone equipment.

Protect Your phone and data equipment against severe weather.

Many older phone systems rely on on board batteries to keep memory. Old batteries eventually go bad and with a power loss the phone system easily losses programming. When this happens the results are predictable voice mail doesn't work, speed dial lists are wiped out, extension numbering may have defaulted. Worst of all it disrupts business and this is if you are lucky.

If you are unlucky then you end up having a power surge blow up the processor, voice mail system, or power supply.  When this happens you might as well shop for a new phone system because it is hard to determine just how much damage has been done.  Even if you replace major components the system may never work the same way again.

We recommend a UPS Battery Back Up System on every phone system installation we do. Often times a business owner will want to go and buy his own from OfficeMax or Office Depot and ends up buying the cheapest one available.  The results are the same. We have seen systems that have melted even though the business owner used a small under protected system to take care of their new $ 12,000.00 phone system.

Please take the time to check out your UPS battery back up situation and make certain you have in place the protection required to keep your business going in the likely event you are hit by severe weather.

check out all of our on line Minuteman UPS Battery Back Up solutions here. If you need help sizing the right system for your application we can help no matter how large.

Or call Telcom & Data at 800-335-0229

Most states in the U.S. require by law that pools accessible by the public have a pool phone that can dial emergency services. The 1600A Series ADA Compliant Emergency Phone from Viking fills this requirement.

The thermometer is at its highest during these summer months and everyone is looking for a way to cool off. Many people escape the heat by visiting their local swimming pool. Public and private pools are a great place for people to relax and have fun. Of course the danger of swimming pools is always present. Lifeguards and parents need to be on constant lookout for any signs of trouble. If an emergency situation does happen, it is necessary to have a quick method for calling emergency services. Telcom & Data is proud to provide a product to help increase swimming pool safety. The 1600A Series ADA Compliant Emergency Phones from Viking are ideal for swimming pool areas.

Emergency Pool Phone Can Help Save Lives

In most states, the law requires that pools available to the public have emergency phones. Providing guests with a safe and enjoyable experience should be the top priority of any pool operator. The 1600A Series ADA Compliant Emergency Phones are designed to provide quick and reliable hands free communication perfect for an indoor or outdoor pool area. The 1600A Series phones can be programmed to automatically deliver a digital announcement to identify the location of the emergency call and then initiate the call connected LED light. All units are phone line powered, requiring no batteries or external power. Up to five emergency numbers can be programmed into the phone.

For outdoor pool areas Enhanced Weather Protection (EWP) is available for several 1600A Series phones. EWP products feature rubber gaskets and boots, hand soldered silicon sealed connections and gel filled tip and ring connectors to ensure that the emergency phone can withstand the harshest of weather conditions.

Click here to find out more about State’s Pool Telephone Laws.

For more information about an emergency pool phone from 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.

About Viking:

Viking Electronics designs and manufactures over 250 telecommunications and security related products for small businesses. The majority of our products are “problem solvers,” designed to fix or add unique features to other manufacturers’ telephone or security systems. We also manufacture several stand-alone telephone and security products that set themselves apart from the competition by their simple design, ease of use, and cost effectiveness.

Telcom & Data INC. is proud to announce it has partnered with BBX Technologies Call  Center Vuesion Software for delivering call center solutions to Avaya IP Office users. The IP Office is mid size phone system for up to 2000 users. The BBX Vuesion software is delivers a total solution for the enterprise application. Vuesion's single-platform design encompasses a complete Contact Center solution, integrated with a powerful Unified Messaging voice processor and voice logger/recorder. This cost-effective approach yields highly integrated software modules, lower maintenance, and a scalable installation. Customers have the option to add software modules and licenses as they go and as their business environment dictates.  Call Center features include:

• Scalable from small groups to enterprise multi-site businesses
• Intuitive and familiar user interface
• Blended multimedia with Email, FAX, voice and out dial queuing
• Enhance customer service with skills based routing, priority routing and rules based routing
• Increase agent productivity with call coordinated database screen pops, text chat, and presence
• Improve supervisors’ efficiency with access to reporting, agent coaching and call recording.

Vuesion works well for various types of business including insurance, health care, technical support, and order processing.  The Vuesion Contact Center suite offers the same advanced features, typically found in larger contact center suites, at an affordable cost of ownership. 

With the Vuesion PC software, supervisors have the features they need to manage the center and agents. Supervisors have real-time information on agents, wallboards, and threshold alarms when important events occur. Supervisors may “rescue” a specific call from queue, monitor and record agents and utilize the PC chat with instant text messaging for agent assistance. Supervisors have access to call reports for tracking every performance and productivity aspect of an agent, a group and/or the entire center. Supervisors keep track of their agents and groups in one single site or across multiple sites in the enterprise.

For information on Vuesion please visit on line at http://www.callaccounting.org/ or call 800-335-0229.

Avaya phone system support is available for Chicago area business for both newer and older phone systems including Merlin , Partner, Spirit, Definity, Audix , and IP Office. Located in downtown Chicago, Telcom & Data ,est 1996, is centrally located to handle service calls quickly for customers with service effecting phone problems. Telcom & Data also carries a large inventory of phone system parts including expansion modules, power supplies and phones.  Besides phone system support Telcom & Data can help businesses relocate an existing phone system to a new location. Telcom & Data can provide new voice and data wiring as well as coordinate phone services with local phone carriers such AT&T.  Rates are $ 145.00 for one hour of on site support plus parking, and travel if outside the 312 area code. Remote phone support is also available in 1/2 hour increments starting at $ 85.00 Call 312-432-1148 for immediate support.

A School Intercom Paging System is not a luxury but a necessary safety communications tool. From K-12 to day care centers classroom communications is a must.   An emergency situation could become worse if communication is not available throughout the building. Telcom & Data is pleased to provide a high quality upgrade for these schools. A School Intercom Paging System from Bogen has multiple features to improve daily communication.

School Paging System

Bogen offers two systems that can accommodate up to 75 classrooms. Easy to follow step-by-step instructions and color coded guidelines are on the front panel of the unit. The system includes emergency features to increase school protection. Instant alerts can be sent out to all rooms at the push of a button. Emergency paging can be sent from a remote telephone or microphone and takes priority over all other functions. The system allows for hands-free communication between teachers and the main office through their classroom speaker. A tone signals when calls are coming in and repeats when the channel is open or the room is being monitored. Music playing devices can be connected to provide background music on systems with under 25 classrooms..

Summer break can be the easiest time to update a School Intercom Paging System. An uncrowded building allows for a hassle free installation. The system will be up and running before students start their back to school shopping.

For more information about School Intercom Paging Systems by Bogen, visit Bogen-Paging.com 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 Bogen:

Bogen Communications International, Inc., the parent company of Bogen Communications, Inc. and Speech Design GmbH, is a leading provider of sound systems and telephone peripherals for commercial, industrial, and institutional applications the world over.

Did your company buy an IP Office phone system and now you are in charge of programming changes?  We can help. Telcom & Data, an Authorized Avaya business Partner, provides complete support on IP Office and VoiceMail Pro. From simple password changes to complete system upgrades Telcom & Data has the technical expertise.. Why work with Telcom & Data?   Telcom & Data has been around since 1996 and and have helped thousands of customers. Personalized service with helpful techs are the keys to providing service customers love. Other services include systems moves, PRI and SIP trunking, remote worker set up, audio and video conferencing, networking and more. The Avaya IP Office latest release is R9. If you are operating on an older version of IP Office consider upgrading and get more out of your investment. The new version 9 offers many new features including Android and iPhone apps for virtual workers.

Telcom & Data maintains a network of over 1600 technicians nationwide and no matter where your business is situated on site support is always available. Remote support is very affordable and quick changes are easily handled.

Phone System  maintenance and service agreements are available to protect your business against expensive system repairs and outages.

For support call 800-335-0229 or visit http://www.telcom-data.com/avaya-phone-support.aspx 

Avaya IP Office Phone System Support

Nortel Phone Support Not Hard To Get?  We receive many calls everyday from Nortel phone system users looking for support help. Nortel filed for bankruptcy back in 2009 and Avaya ended up purchasing the company.  Support for Nortel manufactured system seems to be harder then ever to get as customer calls would imply.   We have some great Nortel techs on hand and we can support the full line of Northern Telecom Products including CS1000, BCM, Meridian and Norstar systems.  Although quite reliable many times the phone system administrator may no longer be with the company and no one remembers how to change voice mail greetings, passwords or even a time change.  Telcom & Data provides remote and onsite phone system support.   For remote support we can provide remote support from only $ 85.00 for 1/2 hour. Many times remote support is all that is needed to trouble shoot a problem.

Get Support Now

If you have a Nortel system and you are looking for a company to provide support call us at 800-335-0229. or visit us at www.telcom-data.com

We received several calls from customers this past week looking for support on their Merlin phone system stating they had received letters from Avaya announcing the end of support for their Merlin phone systems. We decided to check on the Avaya web site for End of Support and found that they had in fact ended support.   Since the Mid 80s there have been millions of Merlin phone system installed including Merlin 410, 820, 10/30, Merlin II, Merlin legend, and Merlin Magix systems.  There are still thousands of system deployed providing companies with reliable service.  Since 1996  Telcom & Data has been providing service and maintenance support on older phone system and carry a large inventory of refurbished Merlin phone system components and phones. We also still have original and PDF versions of all of the Merlin programming manuals.

Telephone Maintenance Support provides a company with budgeted phone costs. In case of a system failure parts and labored are covered protecting a company from large unforeseen expenses.  Maintenance agreements also include service level agreements so in the event of a system failure your business wont be down longer then required to change out a part often times in two hours or less.

If your company had maintenance and would like to have a plan that fully protects your phone system call Telcom & Data at 800-335-0229 or fax a copy of your last maintenance bill to 414-744-5804 or visit us at http://www.telcom-data.com/phone-maintenance.aspx.

About Telcom & Data: 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 businesses.  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.

After 8 years of battling and a 6 month court hearing ,  a U.S. District Court in Camden, New Jersey jury has found that telecom manufacturer Avaya violated federal antitrust laws.  What that means to Avaya customers worldwide that use Avaya support services is that they do not have to purchase post support maintenance services from the manufacturer and can purchase telephone maintenance services from a third party.  Avaya manufacturers telecommunications equipment including IP Office, Communications Manager,  Audix Voice Mail ,  as well as Northern Telecom BCM and CS1000 PBX Phone systems.

All of this is great news for Avaya customers that want to shop for more competitive maintenance service providers. Phone system maintenance is crucial to any business that depends on its phones. Telecommunications drives the economy of most companies from sales to customer service to phone orders. Whether your company is a bricks and mortar company or web based, a solid reliable phone system is the vehicle for communications.

Chances are if your phone system is passed it’s prime Avaya may have discontinued or limited the scope of Maintenance Services for your phone system. Once Avaya has declared "end of life," "end of service," "end of support," "manufacture discontinue" or similar designation ("End of Support") you were pretty much out of luck in getting your system serviced by Avaya. However you can still receive expert support from Telcom & Data. Telcom & Data offers maintenance services for most AVAYA end of support products.

Telcom & Data offers complete phone system maintenance, upgrades, and repairs in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Telcom & Data provides Signature Service Maintenance and Support covers all parts and labor on all Avaya. Nortel, and Lucent branded telephone systems . For more information call 800-335-0229