phone system

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

Telcom & Data, a leader in business phone systems, is pleased to offer Avaya phone system support. The company provides affordable on-site and remote services for all Avaya phone systems including Merlin, Merlin Legend, Merlin Magix, Partner ACS, IP Office, and Definity. Telcom & Data’s network of over 1600 certified technicians ensure customers receive fast and professional service.

Remote service support is an easy way for businesses get immediate phone system assistance. Telcom & Data can trouble shoot and diagnose phone system issues from a distant location. After diagnosis, the technician can either enter the phone system remotely or walk the customer through the steps necessary for repair. If a business requires on-site support, Telcom & Data’s extensive technician network ranges nationwide to ensure prompt service. Services include both repairs and upgrades including phone line additions, software installations, and voice mail advancements.

When Ricardo Trinidad, President of Telcom & Data, was asked about the company’s Avaya phone system support service, he said, “We strive not only to deliver the best phone systems in the industry, but also deliver the best support and maintenance. That is our goal; to be a single source provider of telecom solutions. Our Avaya support technicians are top-notch and customers are protected by our satisfaction guarantee.”

For more information about Telcom & Data’s Avaya support services, visit Telcom & Data’s website or call 1-800-335-0229.

Avaya phone systems, phone maintenance, telephone system support, Partner ACS, Definity, PBX,  Merlin Legend, Merlin Magix, IP Office, phone repair, technician,

Telcom & Data, a leading provider of Avaya telephone system support services, has hired Joseph “Rocky” Kampling as Director of Avaya Support. “Rocky”, as he prefers, comes to Telcom & Data with over 20 years of technical phone system experience. Rocky is a specialist in Avaya manufactured phone systems including IP Office, Definity, Partner, and Merlin Magix.

When Rocky was asked why he enjoys working in the telecommunications industry, he said, “I really enjoy helping businesses solve problems and gain competitive advantages through phone system technologies. I like that my days are never the same. There are many different challenges and service issues I help with.” When asked about why he has been so successful and in demand for the last 20 plus years, Rocky said, “When you’re having a good time doing your job, it’s easy to have fun, and if you’re having fun, it’s not really work.”

In addition to servicing Avaya’s phone systems, Rocky is also proficient in Bogen telephone paging products, voicemail systems, and Cooper Wheelock fire alarm alerting devices. In fact, he can design, install, maintain, and repair almost all business phone systems.

Ricardo Trinidad President of Telcom & Data, commented, “Rocky not only cares about customers but he cares about his community. He serves on many community boards and volunteers for a variety of great causes. He is really a stand up citizen. I couldn’t ask for better Telcom & Data team member.”

For more information on Telcom & Data’s phone system support services, visit Telcom & Data’s website or call 1-800-335-0229.

Q. How do you know when you’re Phone System has been hacked?

A. When you get the phone bill!

In a reoccurring theme, The Salem News reported today about a small business in Ipswich MA. called Todd Tool and Abrasive Systems whose phone system was hacked during a four day period to the tune of $ 891,470 worth of phone calls. Even though Todd Tool was a Verizon customer the hackers used a dial around long distance service that placed the calls through AT&Ts network.  The Salem News also reported that Verizon who was the service provider for Todd Tool, noticed an unusual amount of calls being made and shut down the ability to make these types of calls. Verizon ended up writing off $ 260,000 worth of calls. AT&T also had calls made through their service but they are not going to take a write off and they have filed a $1.15 million dollar law suit against Todd Tool for the calls. If AT&T wins in court, according to Michael Smith the owner,  it could mean bankruptcy for Todd Tools.

I decided to ask telecom guru Rick Trinidad what a business could do to prevent hacker from doing the same thing.  Below is a list of suggestions.

1. Hire a company to do a thorough security analysis of your phone system security. If you can’t afford a $ 12,000.00 phone bill you might really need this.
2. Make sure your voice mail system does not have the default passwords and that out bound calling features are turned off or addressed. Many voice mail systems can make out bound calls to notify you of messages. This can be used to make calls through your phone system.
3. Old voice mail boxes need to be deleted. If you r like most companies people come and go but voice mail boxes remain active and do not get removed. Delete all old voice mail boxes.
4. DISA is a phone system feature designed to allow companies to use their phone systems to place out going calls remotely. DISA or Direct Inward System Access allows just that. Access to your phone systems telephone lines through the phone system.  It was developed long before Cell Phones as a way to reduce old expensive telephone calling cards. Really a favorite among hackers.
5. Auto Attendant used for routing calls can also transfer calls to off-site locations make sure if you aren’t doing this that this feature is turned off. If you are using it this feature change your passwords frequently.
6. Call forwarding to outside numbers is another feature while wonderful for working remotely leaves open a window of opportunity. Make sure who ever needs this feature really needs it and make sure this feature is turned off for everyone else.
7. Operator transfers are another way hackers can use your phone lines to make calls. A caller posing as a telephone company repairman will call and say he is testing the phone lines and if the operator would please transfer them 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 companies network. The phone company will then bill back the call to you at the most expensive calling rate. For more on this check out Sprint’s Corporate security guide.
8. Old Direct Dial Numbers that are no longer being used should be removed for your phone systems numbering scheme until needed again. Hackers are looking for anyway in to your systems.
9. Conference Call Systems and Conference Bridges should be password protected. Hackers can get in to conference bridges to listen to sensitive corporate information. Use in house bridge as opposed to an out side conference call service for maximum protection. An in house conference bridge can be placed behind your company’s firewall and passwords can be changed for every conference.
10. Call Accounting Software such as Tapit Call Accounting can help reduce un authorized phone calls. The Tapit Fraud alert module alarms you when set calling parameters are being breached by sounding an alarm and a text message.

 For more information on how to avoid phone system hacking call 800-335-0229 or visit www.telcom-data.com

The Allworx 9202E IP Phone—the newest phone in the company's extensive IP phone product line—complements the existing phone family and provides an economical solution to users of the Allworx IP communications system. While its sleek, minimalistic design saves space in environments where desk space is at a premium, the 9202E still provides high-level functionality—without the associated high price point that is typical of other phones of its kind.

"The Allworx 9202E IP Phone sets a new price and performance benchmark, delivering more features and capabilities in a system that is very cost effective for the customer.

Affordable IP Phone by Allworx

The Allworx 9202E IP Phone sets a new price and performance benchmark, delivering more features and capabilities in a system that is very cost effective for the customer," said Chris Hasenauer, vice president and general manager of Allworx, a subsidiary of Windstream. "We designed this system with our small-to medium-sized customers in mind, as it achieves the perfect balance between functionality, size, and price."

The Allworx 9202E IP Phone features:

• A compact design that fits neatly on a desk
• Two Call Appearance buttons
• An easy-to-read 128 x 36 display
• Power over Ethernet (PoE)
• 10/100 Switch
• Full-duplex speakerphone
• Wall mountable
• Plug-and-play headset connectivity

For information on Allworx  IP Business Phone System contact Telcom & Data or call 800-335-0229.