FAQ’S

What is Voice Over IP?

• Voice Over IP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol.  Think of it as speaking over your Internet connection.
• Voice Over IP can be done over a Local Area Network connection (like your office computer network) or a Wide Area Network connection (like the Internet).
• Traditionally Voice Over IP has been used to connect locations together over the Internet or a Private Point to Point data connection.  An example would be remote sites connecting to headquarters in this manner.
• Now Voice Over IP circuits can be used to carry phone calls to and from your business.

Why should I consider Voice Over IP?

• Voice Over IP has many advantages to offer.  In not necessarily this order here are some good reasons to consider Voice Over IP:
  1. Eliminates Long Distance fees
  2. Allows you to use your phone at the office, at home, at another office, etc.
  3. Allows a “Virtual Office” setting where all users, remote locations, travelers, etc. all see each other like one Big Connected Office.
  4. Programming flexibility – technically all systems can be programmed from 1 system.  Since we’re using the LAN and/or the WAN we now have more creativity in programming.

When should I be concerned about Voice Over IP?

• Voice Over IP reliability depends on your Local Area Network and Wide Area Network.  If your system has any weakness or can’t give VOIP priority over other data items like emails and programs the quality of the call may suffer.  Bad quality phone calls are ALWAYS unacceptable.  It’s imperative we make sure your Network is ready for VOIP!

What is Unified Messaging?

• Unified Messaging is bringing together two or more disparate messaging platforms like Voice Mail and Email.

Why should I be interested in Unified Messaging?

1. No more checking two or more mailboxes, all voicemails, emails and recordings can show up in one.
2. Check your voicemail anywhere you can check email.
3. Unified Messaging also allows you to take important voice mails and share those with people outside your phone system who might really benefit from hearing what you heard.  Like a trusted partner or vendor.
4. Unified Messaging generally opens your phone system up to the flexibility and creativity of the point and click computer mouse we’re so accustomed to with our computer networks.

What else can today’s newer systems do?

Answer:  Call Detail Reporting, Call Recording, Remote Extensions, Specialized Call Routing, Direct Inward Dial Routing, TAPI Routing and more.

• Call Detail Reporting – see what your staff are doing on the phone with customized reports which help you manage, train and help your employees reach optimum productivity.
• Call Recording – Record on Demand helps you capture meaningful information and never miss the details.  System Recording allows you to capture all or part of the new employees calls where you can train them more quickly & efficiently. 
• Remote Extensions – a call comes into the office and you’re not there.  Not a problem.  The call can be automatically forwarded to your cell phone or if your not available there it can continue to look and dial more numbers. 
• Specialized Call Routing – Have your important calls delivered to your most senior representative based on the # dialed or the caller id information of the caller.
• Direct Inward Dial – route calls to your phone like you have your own private telephone number.
• TAPI or IVR Routing – Its possible when the call arrives to have your primary database pop open to the incoming callers account eliminating untimely queries and callbacks.  IVR or Interactive Voice Response go a step further and allow the caller to speak or enter digits to obtain timely and needed information.  Sometimes its not necessary for your employees to speak to the caller at all if you wish.

Hasn’t some of this Technology been around awhile?

            Answer: Yes, but its only been available to the largest of the large companies. 

What’s the deal, it doesn’t all make sense?

Answer: The answer is this technology is definitely available, but there is no one perfect product.  Some or all of these features are available on all of our products but no one does everything the best.  Its important we understand your situation in greater detail to find the BEST product for your needs.