Mobile Access

With underlying VoIP technology, what was formerly just a phone can become part of the data network, which completes the picture for a mobile office.   Mobile phones and laptops converge with internal office phone systems on the online network.   Staff can now literally take their office with them and collaborate in real-time, accessing shared network files and office phone networks from anywhere they can connect to the Internet.

Unified Communications

The term that is used for technology that brings disparate communication systems together on one platform is unified communications (UC). With UC, multiple phone numbers, email and instant messaging accounts, and other messaging systems are coordinated with software applications to provide a direct method of access that can be changed depending on the requirements of the end user.

This opens up an entirely new communication architecture that allows you to:

• Tell your office phone to forward to your cell, or vise versa, with the push of a button
• Get a voice message on email and return the call through your computer
• Use software applications so your desk phone becomes an interface on your laptop computer
• Know if a colleague is available–and on what communication device–before you try to contact them
• Automatically route customer calls to specialists who can answer their questions, no matter where they are
• Update phone systems with software, the same as a computer

Missed calls, lack of availability, and message tag are all greatly reduced for both staff and customers with a unified communications system.

This is a natural progression of technology that starts by bringing voice into the IP platform.  From there, the possibilities of how it can be used will continue to grow with the pace of internet based communication technology.

Provided by Jim Horton - North Star Strategic IT
Your Denver source for IT computer support, network consulting and planning, voice over IP (VoIP) solutions, and so much more. Cisco Partner - VoIP and Unified Communications Microsoft Partner - Small Business Server Specialists Schedule time with one of our highly qualified network technology specialists

VoIP Technology and Business Mobility

The Benefits of Unified Communications for Business

The benefits of unified communications for business are well worth the time and have a minimal expense to incorporate these changes into the company’s existing telecommunications system. Streamlining existing services, reducing hardware, and integrating the network system can easily lead to a single unified communications framework. In turn, this new framework will provide instantaneous benefits that will promote the growth and success of the company.

Unified Communications Lead to Increased Productivity

Businesses that take the initiative to modify their infrastructure to consolidate current communications systems will benefit immediately from a decrease in the downtime that can be so damaging to the overall productivity of the company. This will also enhance employee morale as well as individual employee productivity.

Unified Communications Lead to a Decrease in Problems

Transforming everyday operations regarding communications will lead to fewer intermittent errors as well as recurring problems. With a simplified telecommunications infrastructure, the potential for problems is greatly reduced. Fewer types of hardware are required, which also decreases the potential for incompatibility.

Unified Communications Lead to Reduced Cost

Modifying the existing telecommunications infrastructure to combine both telephone and Internet systems provides the best of both worlds. It also offers a reduction in the cost not only to set up a company’s system of telecommunication but also to run the system on a daily basis. Data systems and telecommunications systems contain many redundant infrastructures along with parallel ones. This is mainly because they are two comparable structures with the same basic purpose as their goal- communication.

Implementing Unified Communications

Effectively managing all aspects of communication within your business is not an activity that is going to happen overnight or without planning. It takes careful planning that includes a comprehensive blending of the computing aspect of a company along with the telecommunication aspect. This blending strategy creates a management system that encompasses multimedia, messaging, cross media, and phone calls. Through unified communications, differences are broken down and reduced while similarities are joined together to promote the growth of a business with a finely tuned system of operations.

Enhanced Benefits of Unified Communications for Businesses

One of the immediate benefits of incorporating unified communications for businesses is the transformation from steady, reliable communication methods to a system of quick, efficient, and consistently reliable communications. This change from outdated telecommunication methods to up-to-date ones will lead to greater profitability for the company.

Additionally, the work space is simplified and streamlined since two separate communication systems are transformed into a single entity. Switching voice applications from the phone system to IP capability allows employees to utilize the equipment that they have been using for data communications. This strategy simplifies the workplace by successfully combining mobile operations, e-mail, instant messaging services, and phone service into an integrated network that utilizes a single cohesive structure. Employees can generate greater quantity with fewer tools.

The domino effect takes over and greater productivity in one area quickly blossoms into greater productivity throughout the business. This newly incorporated unified communication system within the corporation provides lower overhead costs and greater profits along with refined communications. Administrative workloads are reduced accordingly as well, freeing up essential personnel who can now enhance productivity and growth in additional areas.

The Need for Unified Communication Infrastructure

Businesses must remain flexible enough to keep up with technological advances, especially in the area of communications. In fact, mandated regulatory compliance often calls for critical changes within a company’s communication needs. A streamlined and unified infrastructure will facilitate these changes.

Since the IT infrastructure is often the center of a company’s day-to-day operations, it is critical to find new and better strategies to improve it. Unifying the equipment needed to provide employees with its communication services on a daily basis will promote the forward growth of the business. These services include but are not limited to e-mail, faxes, Internet access, voice mail, desktop phone services, Interactive Voice Response, video conferencing, VoIP telephone service, instant messaging, and audio conferencing.

Companies that fail to look to the future will lag behind those that do. Implementing unified communications is an essential aspect for business operations today. The initial cost to switch over from two separate systems to a single, cohesive scheme is a small price to pay to reap the benefits that this transformation can create.

Provided by Jim Horton - North Star Strategic IT
Your Denver source for IT computer support, network consulting and planning, voice over IP (VoIP) solutions, and so much more. Cisco Partner - VoIP and Unified Communications Microsoft Partner - Small Business Server Specialists Schedule time with one of our highly qualified network technology specialists

The Benefits of Unified Communications for Business

Implementing newer trends in technology such as VoIP to unify your business communications systems is a productive move that will enhance your company’s growth and profitability. This transformation of your telecommunications system from older yet reliable land line calling to newer, faster, and reliable phone calling through your Internet service has benefits that surpass simple monetary savings or speed.

How Does VoIP Work?

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is a viable alternative to traditional land line phone calling. Instead of using traditional telecommunications cables to transmit your calls, VoIP sends the calls over a high speed Internet connection. With most VoIP service providers, local and long distance fees are the same, effectively reducing the cost of your telecommunication services. International calls are typically a great deal cheaper than the rates offered through land line services.

Any business that is making the transformation from land lines to VoIP will be able to keep each of their current phone numbers allowing for a streamlined transition without interruptions. Company paperwork will not have to be edited to portray new phone numbers so no additional expense will be incurred. Plus, the quality of service is typically reliable with exceptional transmission depending on the quality of your company’s Internet connection.

The standard features that you would normally obtain through a land line are also available through VoIP. These features include call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, voice mail, and more. Plus, your employees will be able to take advantage of the click-to-call feature, using the Internet to connect the call for them. Since all VoIP service providers do not offer the same features, it is important to research the provider that your business is considering to use.

Setting up VoIP Services

VoIP can be used with your standard phone along with a special adapter or it can be accessed through the use of the computer, a microphone, and special software. The initial cost is minimal and the savings that are realized justify the expense. Depending on the extent of your company’s phone use, the savings can be small, large, or out of this world.

In the first scenario, the only item that you need to purchase is a special adapter. This piece of hardware can be purchased online, over the phone, and at any number of brick-and-mortar stores. It is easy to install and inexpensive to purchase. Plus, once it has been installed, you don’t need to do anything with it.

In the second scenario, since you already have the computer, all you will need to purchase is a microphone if you don’t already have one and the special software that has been designed for Internet ready VoIP. Typically, this software is obtained from the VoIP service provider at a minimal cost. This scenario frees up an individual’s hands as well as the work space, especially if the microphone is easily attached to the head through the use of a headset.

A wide variety of telecommunications companies offer VoIP services. Therefore, any business that is interested in tapping into this unique opportunity can select the company that offers the types of features that they need or prefer. Each company simply needs to conduct a bit of investigation to locate the VoIP service that best meets the needs of their business enterprise.

The Benefits of VoIP Services

Cheaper phone rates are offered not only for local but also for long distance calling through most VoIP services. Since many businesses span beyond their local vicinity when it comes to promoting their business as well as purchasing necessary supplies and services can be a real money saver. In fact, many VoIP services provide identical rates for local and long distance calls. Plus, their rates for international calling are generally well below the rates that most traditional phone companies charge for such services.

Once your company makes the transition from traditional telecommunications to VoIP, your business will notice increased productivity among your workers. Multi-tasking will be enhanced because employees will be able to talk freely through VoIP while continuing to work on the computer.

Workspaces will be streamlined, particularly if the business opts for hands-free microphones. Productivity will be increased along with profits in a hand-in=hand type of relationship. Costs will be reduced as the company saves on the cost of telecommunications. The profitability of the company will soar upward and will continue to improve each year as the business continues to reap the benefits of VoIP Services.

VoIP is portable since you can take it with you anywhere you have access to high speed Internet. This is a handy feature for any company whose employees are required to travel. There’s no loss of sales due to lack of communication. Plus, if the business needs to set up a temporary office out of town, phone access is just a keyboard away. Plus, all of the contact information as well as pertinent details related to the business contact are most likely stored on the computer’s hard drive, providing easy access.

Logging online phone contacts has never been easier or more organized. Your employees will appreciate the ease and reliability with which they can compile a handy list of business contacts. Maintaining contacts is streamlined, saving valuable time each day.

One of the best features of implementing VoIP services in the workplace is that it allows your employees to multitask since they can continue to work on their computers while communicating with phone contacts. Although they can obviously do this as well on traditional phone lines, it is a much simpler task using the hands free capability of a microphone and the computer.

VoIP services are a potentially profitable option for any business that is looking to stay ahead of the pack and move up in the world. Consider the possibilities of a workforce with hands-free telecommunications capacity through VoIP technology today. The benefits of making this telecommunications transformation are many and the downside is nonexistent.

Provided by Jim Horton - North Star Strategic IT
Your Denver source for IT computer support, network consulting and planning, voice over IP (VoIP) solutions, and so much more. Cisco Partner - VoIP and Unified Communications Microsoft Partner - Small Business Server Specialists Schedule time with one of our highly qualified network technology specialists

VoIP Services and Your Business