Why Should Businesses Switch to VOIP Phone Systems?

Voice over IP (VoIP) systems have become more and more common in both residential and commercial locales. These communication systems are the natural evolution and conflation of Internet, cellular and old-style land line phones. Even with the advent of mobile devices that have almost replaced the old land line style phones, many business and commercial operations have not made the jump. There are many reasons why a business should adopt VoIP communications systems to the operations.

Hardware

VoIP equipment has come quite a long way in a short time. When the first VoIP style phone systems hit the market around 1998, they seemed like a futuristic technology straight out of Dick Tracy. Today, VoIP systems have streamlined the hardware. One solid reason for a mid to large sized business to adopt VoIP technology is the hardware takes up a smaller footprint that prior equipment, and yet still delivers superior communication technology such as improved messaging, interfacing with company mobile devices when away from the office and clarity of sound. This means happier client and employees, with fewer dropped calls and risks to quality.

Cost

It stands without saying that the business’s bottom line is the make or break requisite for business success. VoIP services are much cheaper than traditional land lines, particularly where overseas and long distance calling is concerned. When a full commercial system’s cost is measured against traditional land lines, superior savings are found with the VoIP communications set-ups. This is one very clear cut area where tremendous savings and business benefits can be found with little effort. 

When the ease and savings of VoIP are vetted and examined it becomes apparent that the benefits far outweigh any concerns with VoIP phone service. Businesses that use VoIP save money and improve a company’s bottom line. Call Affordable Telephone today for more information on VoIP phone systems.

Affordable Telephone Systems      866-666-9650

Reliability and Functionality . . . Our Commitment Guaranteed!!

Voice over IP Telephone Systems – Advantages and Disadvantages

Today, VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) phone systems have revolutionized the way small businesses operate in Ventura. However, each time a new technology emerges with its own set of advantages over the previous system; it presents a new set of drawbacks. Continue reading to learn more about both sides of the coin for IP phone systems for small businesses in Ventura.

Advantages of VoIP Phone Systems for Small Businesses in Ventura

Low Cost

VoIP phone systems are cheaper because you only need one network to carry both voice and data. All you technically need to utilize a VoIP phone system for a small business in Ventura is a broadband Internet connection. VoIP systems typically do not require any additional costs or wiring.

Portability

Another major advantage of VoIP phone systems for small businesses in Ventura is that these systems are not location or distance dependent. At the same time, your VoIP phone number or virtual number can go with you wherever you go.

Bonus Features

While normal phone service typically charges for additional features, VoIP comes with a bevy of features, such as :

• Call waiting
• Voicemail
• Caller ID
• Call forwarding
• 3-Way calling

In addition, VoIP phones offer several other services like video conversations, messaging, audio conferences, and simplicity in managing phone books.

Disadvantages of VoIP Phone Systems in Ventura

Power Outages

While regular phones will keep service during power outages, an IP phone system for a small business in Ventura loses all functionality when the power goes out. 

Reliability

Because VoIP systems rely on the Internet, the quality of calls may suffer if your connection is limited or if the network is congested.

Security

The biggest issues associated with VoIP systems are security related, such as:

• Identity theft
• Service theft
• Viruses
• Denial of service
• Malware
• Spamming
• Phishing attack
• Call tampering

To get your IP phone system or more information about VoIP options, call Ventura’s best, Affordable Telephone.

Affordable Telephone Systems      866-666-9650

Reliability and Functionality . . . Our Commitment Guaranteed!!

Six Myths about Cloud Phone Systems Debunked

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems are hugely beneficial to companies of all sizes.  However, there are a few myths floating around that may be causing some smaller companies to second guess the importance of a cloud-based phone system. The following are 6 common cloud phone system myths debunked:

1. All phone systems are the same – Premise-based phone systems can go down due to a number of reasons, while cloud-based phone systems are 99.99 percent reliable – you can connect to it via your smartphone or even from a regular telephone line, which means you’ll never be down.
    
2. Maintaining your phone system on your own is more reliable and less costly – Most premise based phone systems come with mandatory maintenance agreements that don’t cover upgrades or labor costs for simple updates. This means that over the long run, you’ll pay as much for maintenance as it would have cost to get another system.
    
3. It’s easier to use cell phones – A cloud-based phone system allows you to connect with your cell phones and lets you take advantage of all the benefits of a full business phone system.
    
4. It’s cheaper to stick with your old system – It’s actually not, especially when you factor in costs like increasing carrier fees, PBX changes and the downtime experienced when your old system dies.
    
5. VoIP systems are for consumers, not businesses – Our cloud phone systems are targeted towards business use. The system integrates data, video and voice into one secure network that will allow employees to be productive wherever they are working.
    
6. You’ll need to re-cable your premises – Cloud providers actually have apps that let you install on smartphones, which means your network can operate as a cordless-set frequency.

Don’t fall for these myths and be sure to contact us at Affordable Telephone for more information about cloud phone systems.

Affordable Telephone Systems      866-666-9650

Reliability and Functionality . . . Our Commitment Guaranteed!!

Securing Voice Over IP Phone Systems

Securing Voice Over IP Phone Systems

A voice over IP (VoIP) phone system optimizes the cost of your small business’ phone system while making it more portable and flexible than ever. However, being an internet-based system exposes it to several vulnerabilities. Here is how you secure your VOIP phone system from these issues:

Use the best IP phone system small business Austin has available

This is where you need to start. When you invest in the best IP phone system Austin has available, security is already a priority. That being said, your VOIP phone system will consist of two parts: the phone system itself and service & support. Each should be carefully considered to determine which will provide the best digital security solutions for your small business’ VoIP system.

Require full authentication for all administrative and account access

While a good IP phone system will do much of the legwork for setting you up with a solid VOIP security infrastructure, you still have to take a few actions to optimize your protection. Your first step in that regard should be authentication procedures. This will make it impossible for a would-be intruder to simply access and bother your network without any effort.

Install a firewall and antimalware software

Like computers, your VOIP system can be hacked if left unprotected. To protect against this, a firewall should be your first line of defense. You should also invest in anti-malware software, in case you accidentally download something harmful.

Is your VOIP system secure enough?

There are malicious entities out there who would attack your VOIP system to commit fraud, a competitive advantage or simply to exude arbitrary malice. As such, you need to take steps to enhance your system’s digital security. To learn more, contact Austin Multi-Line Services, a high quality, affordable IP phone system small business Austin service.

Affordable Telephone Systems      866-666-9650

Reliability and Functionality . . . Our Commitment Guaranteed!!

Business Security Systems – What They Offer

If you own a small business, you’ll want to make sure your business operations are secure, without any possible vulnerabilities that potential intruders could exploit. In order to avoid issues with your facility, it’s important to find the right security system for small business ventures.

State-of-the-Art Small Business Security

An effective security system for small businesses will cover all bases necessary. Affordable Telephone offers several types of high-tech security systems to keep businesses secure, including the Aiphone JM Series Touchscreen Intercom.

This intercom system can effectively protect nearly any small business from security threats, protecting facilities such as schools, retail outlets, restaurants, commercial office buildings and other locations. This system comes with an interactive 7″ touchscreen, which allows you to easily control facility door locks, visually identify visitors and navigate the entire system with a sizable display.

There are several benefits to incorporating this security system in your small business, including:

• Color LCD screen that offers high resolution picture and video
• Alert system to warn of unauthorized visitors
• Camera adjustment based on the amount of light present
• DVR for video output
• A total range of 170° that eliminates blind spots
• Control over a variety of external devices such as doors, gates and certain lights
• Keycard or keypad access control for doorways
• Handset or hands-free voice communication

Keep Your Small Business Secure at All Times

With a security system from Affordable Telephone, our business will remain safe on a consistent basis. In addition to small business security, Affordable Telephone also offers structured voice and data cabling services and VoIP phone systems, which include Panasonic, NEC, Avaya, ESI and cloud systems.

With the right security system installed by trained security professionals, your small business venture will be secured from avoidable threats, protecting visitors, staff and assets equally.

For the right security system for your small business, call the experts at Affordable Telephone.

Affordable Telephone Systems      866-666-9650

Reliability and Functionality . . . Our Commitment Guaranteed!!

Why Choose Coaxial?

Coaxial (or coax) cable is cabling that sends electrical signals or energy from one place to another. It is primarily used for transmission of television and radio signals because it is audio/visual based and runs on radio frequency. Coax cabling delivers excellent performance and superior electromagnetic energy shielding. Coax cabling comes in a variety of options from rigid to flexible depending on your cabling needs. This type of option is commonly known as bend radius. Bend radius is the amount of radius a cable can bend without experiencing unfavorable effects. Coax cabling copper wiring shielded by layers of plastic, mesh, and rubber which shield the signals from degradation and interference.

Coaxial cabling may not be the most technologically advanced cabling on the market today but it has many benefits that keep it in the technological race. Compatibility is the primary benefit of coaxial cabling. It is compatible with such a large variety of products that it has become close to universal. Another great benefit is the cost. Coaxial cabling is very budget friendly and is often used when setting up new small business offices. While it is a bit bulkier than its more expensive counterparts it does get the job done while being less susceptible to interference than standard telephone wire.

At Affordable Telephone Solutions they use only quality materials and name brands for their coaxial cabling choices. If you are looking for affordable cabling for your business give them a call today!

Affordable Telephone Systems                866-666-9650

Reliability and Functionality! . . . Our Commitment Guaranteed!!

The Telephone – America’s Choice for over a 100 years!

Generally speaking more than 75% of office workers spend their entire work day at their desks/cubicles. Most of their work is done via computer and phone. A desk phone is the most common type of small business phone used today. They are versatile and feature rich to provide a reliable means of communication for their user. An example of their versatility can be seen in the variety of handsets and/or headsets available to replace the standard receiver. They are now ergonomically enhanced and designed with the user’s comfort in mind. Desk phones have high audio excellence with background noise reduction. These two items combine to give the user a crystal clear call experience. The newer models are built to last for a long time and they are up to 50% more energy efficient than their older counterparts!

Desk phones have also had many technological advances over the last few years. The newer models have touchscreens and are Bluetooth capable for access to calendars, directories, and other web-based applications. This advancement allows the user to be able to multi task and be twice as effective. The large display helps the user to identify when someone calls their line; it lights up, displays the caller’s ID, and displays time and date. The large readable number pad makes for easy dialing and the desk phones come equipped with many function keys to assist the user such as Hold, Transfer, Speaker, Recall, and many others.

Telephones have been around since the late 1800’s when Alexander Graham Bell first invented them and to this day they still remain the easiest and quickest way to receive or make calls because of their mass familiarity and they are still the top contender for office communications today. For all of your small business telephones system needs call Affordable today!

Affordable Telephone Systems                866-666-9650

Reliability and Functionality! . . . Our Commitment Guaranteed!!

Time to Relocate?

Relocating your office is a very stressful process. A lot is involved when planning the layout and structuring. Maximum efficiency, what office equipment needs to be updated, and getting things transferred in a timely manner are just a few of the headaches you’ll have to deal with. Affordable Telephone Solutions offers help in relocating your business’ telephone system. Let Affordable’s phone system specialists help ease some of the burden and ensure that you don’t miss an important call in all of the chaos. Aside from installation they are also able to assess the communications needs in your building as well as give you advice on ways to improve your current system to maximize the benefits you receive from your phone system. When expanding an office you must expect that there will be periods of time where office equipment is non-operational but there are ways to continue working even without fully operating equipment.

• Schedule time for phone and internet moving, installation, and upgrades. This will mean planning in advance so that the work occurs during the office lunchtime or after hours.
• Let your clients know your office is moving! This point cannot be stressed enough. Your clients are your bread and butter and you need to keep them informed. This will also help them be more understanding when it takes you a little longer to return their call or help them while relocating.
• Have your telephone company manage the move for their commodity. This will decrease your liability and ensure the job is done right.
• Forward calls from your phone lines to employee’s work mobile phones until the building’s system is fully functional again.
• Sketch out your office’s new design. Work with your phone installation company to make best use of your data communications system and ensure the physical move is well planned. This will help to reduce the time your phones are down.

By working hand in hand with Affordable Telephone Solutions you are assured they will guide you to setting up your telephone system in your new office in such a way that it will meet all of your business needs while exceeding your expectations.

Affordable Telephone Systems                866-666-9650

Reliability and Functionality! . . . Our Commitment Guaranteed!!

Call Queue Features

VoIP phones offer many features and all of them are designed to assist the phone user and make them more efficient. Call queue is a feature that helps not only one user but multiple users on the entire office’s telephone system. Call queue is designed for businesses that have a large amount of incoming calls. This feature receives the calls, answers them, and places them in queues that have been set up to be the most advantageous for the company. Once in the queues the calls can have advertisements, soothing music, or customized messages playing for your clients. Almost every part of this feature is customizable to fit your business from the information clients hear on hold to the way calls are assigned to your employees.

Call queue has the ability to be assigned many different ways and even has a feature that allows the employees to have a pause between calls in case they need to take notes, write a quick assessment of the last call, or take a bathroom break. Call queue can handle as many as 15 calls in each queue at one time and depending on your phone system’s capabilities you can have 5-6 queues set up. With your system able to handle 75 calls at once it will allow you to serve your customers in a prompt, pleasing, and timely manner.

If call queue is a feature you think would benefit your business but you haven’t yet upgraded to VoIP phones in your office give Affordable Telephone Solutions a call. They will come out and do a free assessment to help you get started.

Affordable Telephone Systems                866-666-9650

Reliability and Functionality! . . . Our Commitment Guaranteed!!

How to Find the Best Small Business Phone Company

Finding reliable companies to help you build your business can be a daunting chore. You want to make sure and partner with people you trust. Telephone services are the lifeline of your small business since it is your primary method of communication with your clients. When you are shopping for the best small business telephone company there are several things you will want to consider:

• How long have they been in business? The length of time a business has been open is not the main reason you will want to research this information but rather what do their customers have to say after this long? Affordable Telephone Solutions has been in business for more than 30 years and they are still currently expanding their company!
• What is their customer service policy? You will want to choose a company that is customer service oriented and prompt to respond to your business’ needs. Affordable Telephone Solutions keeps their technicians on call 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week for on-site service so they are there when you need them.
• What technology do they install and service? You will want to find a company that keeps abreast of the current technology advances and ensures their technicians have the knowledge and training to work on any telephone system whether it is brand new or decades old. Affordable Telephone Solutions believes that staying competitive means staying up to date with new advances in technology while meeting all of the industry standards and specifications.
• How do they help enhance your business? A good telephone company will help you plan, install, and support the phone system that best fits your needs and your budget. Affordable Telephone Solutions goal for their clients is to keep their client’s data communications right in step with the business’ current needs. Whether it is expanding for a growing company or doing a complete overhaul to upgrade your business they deliver world class service and cutting edge products.

Affordable Telephone Solutions goes above and beyond to provide their customers with service that is beyond measure, so when you are trying to choose the best small business telephone company for your business, choose Affordable.

Affordable Telephone Systems                866-666-9650

Reliability and Functionality! . . . Our Commitment Guaranteed!!