Voip Atlanta

Atlanta -- What’s New in Modern Phone Systems?

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:34:00 +0000

New Technologies Usher in a New Era in Phone Systems

Growing companies are forced to face the eventual reality of having to find an efficient way of handling all communications, from company/client communications to interoffice telephony. To stay competitive in today’s global business environment, many companies are replacing their old phone systems with current technologies.

The century-old telephone system is fantastically simple on the user end: it sends an analog signal over two wires, much like a paper cup on a string. At the phone company's end, technology has progressively improved, with the manual switchboards and bundles of copper wires being replaced with automated digital switching equipment routing calls over fiber optic conduits. Little has changed for the end-user, however.

Phone Systems Atlanta

Here's why that's a problem:

•Digital phones only support voice-grade audio quality, nothing else. The two copper wires that carry the voice signal must first be converted to an analog signal (that's what a modem does). Internet data services and video conferencing demand far faster data output in a packetized Ethernet environment. Digital and analog phone systems were not designed to support this application.

•Calls are a circuit switched model. Making three-way or conference calls is not supported by the old phone system; both require special equipment or operator intervention. This makes them expensive and complicated to set up. Further, the old switchboard model does not support modern data packet features for end-users, like caller authentication, call encryption, or advertising presence information such as: free, busy, or unavailable.

•This old technology is based on a pay-per-call billing system. The old phone network was built upon a business model designed to bill users proportionately to the number and length of calls they placed. That works fine in a circuit switched system. But for a packet-switched data system, when users require 24-hour connectivity and they may connect to hundreds of hosts or open long and sustained data connections, it's more attractive to pay an upfront fixed fee. In the US, Internet service is almost always paid for with a set or unlimited usage fee.

Phone Systems Atlanta is an Atlanta, Georgia based company specializing in designing, implementing and managing phone systems for homes and businesses. It has been at the forefront of technological innovations. Chuck Botwin, President of Phone Systems Atlanta and Botwin Communications, was asked about his recent experiences with modern phone systems in one of the largest business districts in Southern USA. Originally, his companies had focused on computer network cabling, including installation and custom fabrication of cables (on site and common point contact) for voice and data network applications.

Botwin says, “As the public became more aware of advances in technology, the companies to which we were providing cabling services expressed their strong need for modern phone systems.”

“A big part of our cabling service involves determining the exact needs of our clients’ communication networks. In doing so, we discovered that many businesses were not aware of the impressive advancements that have occurred in telecommunications. Clients are amazed at the many features these systems contain, providing cost-effective and efficient solutions for their ever-changing business needs,” continued Botwin.

Businesses today require a telecommunications infrastructure that can deliver numerous features. Some popular features include auto attendant, voicemail, cordless IP phones, headsets, door phones, access control, call center applications, and home office connectivity to the main office switch.

Some popular brands include Samsung Telecommunications Systems, Northern Telecom Norstar Telephone Systems, and AVAYA Phone Systems (Formerly Lucent/AT&T).

A trend that is especially exciting to business is the move toward VOIP systems. VOIP stands for ‘Voice Over IP’ phone systems. These systems have the ability to plug your IP phone into any broadband internet connection, anywhere in the world, and you are seamlessly connected to the system in your home office. One such system is the Samsung 7000 Series phone system. The Samsung 7000 series is a modern communications platform for business. From a single location to multiple sites around the world, voice and data networks can be connected seamlessly.

PhoneSystemsAtlanta.com has detailed information about the phone systems offered, along with their features and specifications. The site focuses on educating the public about the technological advancements of modern phone systems.

Panorama Press, a marketing firm in Atlanta, created and maintains this site.

Phone Systems Atlanta is located in Marietta, Georgia 30066, in Cobb County, metropolitan Atlanta. www.phonesystemsatlanta.com

Voice Over IP Atlanta - Internet Phone Systems, Telephony, VoIP Technology , Equipment Install and Service

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:54:00 +0000

Voice Over IP Atlanta

Don't let your phone system get you down. No mater the size of your organization,Voice Over IP Atlanta can design, implement, manange and exceed all your communication needs. Voice Over IP for business including Voice Over IP internet phone sales, Voice Over IP service and Voice Over IP provider in Atlanta GA

Managing hundreds of lines and/or dozens of extenions, Voice Over IP Atlanta will design a cost effective solution for today's ever-changing business needs. Easy to upgrade and highly configurable as technology chages - Voice Over IP Atlanta solutions are likely to be the last communications implementation you will need.

Auto attendant, Voicemail, cordless phones, headsets, door phones,

call centers and much much more.

Small Office Installation
Regional Business with Multiple Offices
Telecommuting Installation
Large Business with Multiple Offices

Voice Over IP Atlanta has delivered innovative, cost-effective and efficient

Data and Voice solutions for businesses of all sizes. From start-ups to Fortune 500

companies we consistently deliver global experience and local service.

Global Experience - Local Service

Our 100% customer-retention rate demonstrates our unparalleled commitment for providing customers with exceptional technical solutions and customer service on time and at the right price. Our reputation for excellence is why companies like Cousins Properties, Atlanta Bread Company, & Goodwill Industries rely on Voice Over IP Atlanta, a division of Botwin Communications as the single-source of all their telecommunications needs.

You can depend on Botwin to work with you every step of the way, from your initial capabilities' assessment through project implementation and post-installation support. Discover the Botwin Communications difference.

Voice Over IP Atlanta info@voiceoveripatlanta.com

Voice Over IP Atlanta : Voice Over IP for business including Voice Over IP internet phone sales,

Voice Over IP service and Voice Over IP provider in Atlanta GA

Voip Atlanta by Botwin Communications introduces two new voip business phone systems to the Samsung Officeserv 7000 Series in Atlanta Georgia

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:27:00 +0000

Samsung OfficeServ™ 7030 and 7200-S is now available in metro Atlanta Ga for cost conscious small and medium sized businesses

Atlanta, Georgia, January 1, 2010– Voip Atlanta by Botwin Communications today introduced the compact OfficeServ™ 7030 and economically-expandable OfficeServ™ 7200-S as the two newest additions to its popular Samsung OfficeServTM 7000 series of converged telephony solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to the Atlanta Georgia market. Botwin Communications is an Atlanta, Georgia company specializing in computer network cabling and business phone systems. Voip Atlanta is a division of Botwin Communications in Atlanta, Georgia. The division specializes in business phone systems and makes available to clients a telecommunications infrastructure that is ideal for cost-conscious start-ups, entrepreneurs and other businesses looking to upgrade their communications capabilities and optimize operational efficiencies, these new platforms allow these businesses to cost-effectively leverage advanced functions such as VoIP, SIP trunking, and WiFi with “right-sized” capacities tailored to meet their needs.

According to the most recent figures available from the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy and the U.S. Census Bureau there are nearly 6.5 million businesses with fewer than 20 employees and another 850,000 businesses with between 20 and 99 employees. Yet, until now, upgrading communications capabilities for these businesses meant facing a trade-off between smaller, preconfigured systems with limited capacity and purchasing more expensive, feature-rich systems with excess capacity beyond foreseeable need.
“We are excited with addition of the OfficeServ 7030 and OfficeServ 7200-S to our portfolio." said Chuck Botwin, President of Botwin Communications. " We are happy to offer small and medium-sized firms in Atlanta the functionality of larger systems without the expense of purchasing excess capacity,”
About the Samsung OfficeServ 7030: the compact Samsung OfficeServ 7030 is flexible enough to support up to 20 stations using a combination of Samsung’s wired and wireless handsets, IP phones, and digital telephones.
The Samsung OfficeServ 7030, businesses can reduce monthly telecom costs and recurring phone carrier charges with low-cost SIP services that allow for the most cost-effective use of VoIP technology ― thereby yielding a higher return from their telecom system investment. The OfficeServ 7030 also allows small businesses to take advantage of mobility features that ensure optimal user reachability― even when the user is out of the office.
Advanced features of the Samsung OfficeServ 7030 include:
•   OfficeServ Connect ― allows desk and mobile phones to ring simultaneously, making staff more easily reachable and accessible
•   Wireless Access Points ― seamlessly integrates wireless handsets and PDAs with phone system features for added mobility
•   SPNet ― enables networking to other OfficeServ platforms at remote offices
•   Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) and SoftPhone connectivity ― turns a laptop into a full-featured office phone, enhancing on- and off-site productivity
To further maximize operational efficiencies, the Samsung OfficeServ 7030 offers numerous other productivity-enhancing features such as Auto Attendant, Caller ID with name and number, Uniform Call Distribution (UCD), Call Sequencing and Call Recording. Low-cost voicemail with email integration for delivering voice messages to a Microsoft® Outlook inbox also is available.
About the Samsung OfficeServ 7200-S: The Samsung OfficeServ 7200-S is a flexible, economically-expandable, converged telecommunication platform ideally suited for small-to-midsized businesses. With support for up to 64 stations, the OfficeServ 7200-S allows users to take advantage of the powerful set of built-in and add-on features of the larger OfficeServ 7200 platform with capacity “right-sized” for these businesses.
The OfficeServ 7200-S is flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of digital, IP, and wireless phones to match a company’s changing telecom needs. Furthermore, by taking advantage of SIP services and VoIP technologies, companies can increase the return on their telecom investment with reduced carrier charges and monthly telecom costs.
In addition, the OfficeServ 7200-S has a wide range of built-in features including:
•   Call monitoring and reporting capabilities
•   Auto attendant and Uniform Call Distribution (UCD) for efficient call handling
•   Embedded voicemail and email gateway for delivering voicemail messages directly to a Microsoft Outlook inbox
•   Enterprise-class firewall and Intrusion Detection system to protect the system from unwanted intrusions.
The OfficeServ 7200-S platform also offers a powerful set of optional add-on features and Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) applications to further increase worker productivity and accessibility. These include:
•   SPNet ― enables networking to other OfficeServ platforms at remote offices
•   Executive Mobex ― allows your desk phone and mobile phone to ring simultaneously and gives you the ability to transfer, conference, and put calls on hold from your mobile phone
•   Hot Desking ― lets individual employees have alternate work areas, or multiple employees share a common work area
•   Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) applications ― enhances on- and off-site productivity, improves cost efficiency, and helps streamline operations
•   Wireless Access Points ― allows seamless integration of wireless handsets and PDAs with phone system features to increase mobility and accessibility
Both the OfficeServ 7030 and the OfficeServ 7200-S are available through Voip Atlanta by Botwin Communications and are backed by a team of expert service technicians and a 5-year warranty. Voip Atlanta is located at 3268 Fairview Drive in Marietta, Georgia 30066 in Cobb County of metropolitan Atlanta. Advisors are available for consultation 9am to 5pm EST Monday thru Friday http://www.voip-atlanta.net or call 678-233-0325.

The Essential Guide to VoIP and E911

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:28:00 +0000

What you need to know about enhanced emergency-calling technology.

"Quick, call 911!" is a phrase that's uttered thousands of times each day. But calling 911 is a useless exercise unless one has a phone or other communications device that's capable of using the service.

E911 (enhanced 911) is a technology that is designed to give ordinary land line telephones the ability to transmit critical location data quickly and transparently, as well as to provide accurate emergency-calling capabilities to nontraditional-telephony devices such as mobile and VoIP phones. The technology automatically connects callers to the closest PSAP (public-safety answering point), the emergency-service dispatch centers that respond to 911 calls. There are more than 6,000 primary and secondary PSAP's across the U.S.

The need for E911 technology spiked when devices that don't use a dedicated phone line began gaining popularity. A mobile-phone user, for example, can be located virtually anywhere, making it impossible for a service provider to determine the location of the nearest and most appropriate PSAP. VoIP subscribers, on the other hand, often use phone numbers assigned to locations many miles away from their actual physical presences — sometimes even in other countries — also making it often impossible for service providers to supply an appropriate PSAP connection.

Landline E911

E911 became a reality more than two decades ago when the technology debuted on land line phones. All landline phones send an ANI (automatic number identification) signal to the network. Originally used to help carriers create accurate long-distance billing records, the ANI consists of eight digits: seven are the caller's local number, while the eighth digit represents a regional area code.

Utilizing ANI data, a PSAP can conduct a reverse-directory search to request and receive the caller's physical address. As a result, the PSAP doesn't have to depend on the caller for location and callback information. The dispatcher can instead focus on helping the caller through the crisis, while quickly passing along relevant information to the appropriate public-safety authorities.

Wireless E911

Facing increasing pressure from mobile-phone customers for an effective, reliable 911 calling system, the Federal Communications Commission began taking steps in the late 1990s to force mobile carriers to adopt a wireless E911 strategy. The FCC deployed its E911 plan in two phases. In 1998, Phase I required carriers to deploy an E911 service that could identify the originating phone numbers of all 911 calls, as well as the location of the associated cell tower to within one mile. In 2001, Phase II mandated every mobile carrier offering service within the U.S. to provide either a handset- or network-based location-detection capability. The ALI (automatic location identification) service had to be able to determine an E911 caller's location by the geographic position of the mobile phone within 100 meters, and not simply by the location of the associated cell tower. This is usually accomplished by triangulating the signals of three or more nearby cell towers.

VoIP E911

Like mobile-phone users in the 1990s, VoIP subscribers in the early 21st century began requesting landline-equivalent 911 calling capabilities on their phones. Demands from the public, the media and lawmakers for VoIP E911 service quickly mounted after several highly publicized cases in which crime victims were unable to call for police help because their VoIP phones lacked 911 calling capabilities.

In 2005, the FCC began requiring VoIP service providers to offer localized E911 service to their customers. Under current FCC rules, all interconnected VoIP providers must automatically supply E911 service to all of their customers as a standard, mandatory feature without customers having to specifically request this service. VoIP providers may not allow their customers to "opt-out" of E911 service. VoIP providers must transmit each E911 call, as well as a callback number and the caller's registered physical location, to the PSAP.

Note that in this case the word 'interconnected' is very important. Virtual, soft-client-only VoIP services like Skype Ltd. specifically do not provide E911 services precisely because the services are meant to work from anywhere, and currently it is not possible to automatically deduce the actual location of the call. For example, a Skype user could be calling from a public Internet terminal at a cafe or a library rather than his or her home. In contrast, most residential-VoIP services use a specific VoIP router that is typically located at a single physical location.

VoIP E911 has proven to be problematic, however, since users may be either stationary or mobile, and they can often connect to the Internet in a variety of different ways. Although the FCC requires VoIP service providers to collect location information from their customers, this approach is imperfect. If a VoIP subscriber uses the service from a remote destination, for instance, the carrier will continue to route 911 calls to the registered location, even if the site is several thousand miles away from the place where the emergency is happening.

A power outage can also cause VoIP E911 to fail, since the technology requires Internet access, which depends on routers and other devices that use electrical service. As a result, many public-safety agencies recommend that VoIP customers keep a traditional phone line, in addition to their IP telephony service, in order to retain access to emergency-calling services during a power outage.

Nevertheless, residential-VoIP service providers now do offer E911 service, and it should work for calls made from the residence.

by John Edwards
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Presented by: Voip Atlanta , for your business and residential Voice Over Internet Telephony

Going Wireless With Your Church Facility

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:33:00 +0000

There was a time when installing audio/visual equipment meant one thing: lots and lots of wires. But with the advent of wireless technology, people are now able to use more devices, in more places, with more freedom and better aesthetics than ever before.

Today, worship leaders are literally able to present the world to their congregations in real time if they wish, without a single physical tether. The implications—educationally, emotionally, relationally, architecturally, and even spiritually—are truly awe-inspiring. Making the best and most cost-effective decisions about wireless, however, requires an understanding of what wireless technology can and cannot do.

From the viewpoint of connecting in new ways with a congregation, wireless opens up a wide range of possibilities. An almost limitless array of equipment can be connected via wireless, including pulpit- or lectern-mounted PCs, digital projectors and presentation screens, all of which can be used for worship slides, video or Internet browsing. Wireless microphones and musical instruments give speakers and musicians total freedom of movement, while roaming video cameras allow technicians to move throughout a worship space without interrupting parishioners.

Another benefit of wireless systems is that they are cost effective. Equipment can be set up in as little as a few hours, saving significant time and labor costs. Since there’s no wire to run, facilities have less material to buy, fewer holes to make in walls and floors or ceilings, and no outlets to install.

Wireless Options
While the international 802.11 wireless protocol, often known as Wi-Fi, is the key communications standard for computer systems, it is by no means the only non-cable solution applicable to worship spaces. Radio-frequency transmission is commonly used for microphones and musical instruments; infrared is used for line-of-sight data; Bluetooth and even cellular devices also have their uses.

For the worship experience, however, 802.11g and radio transmissions are the most common. The number of 802.11 devices that can be used in the same room is limited only by the segregation of systems. Each Wi-Fi device has its own Media Access Control (MAC) address, which enables multiple devices to transmit and receive unique streams of data from the same access point. (With so many connections possible, in fact, devices can actually overload the pipeline capacity of a network system. To help allocate and manage bandwidth, products like the Optinet can be installed to prioritize and control Internet traffic.)

Yet some of the best reasons to go wireless are not economic, but rather architectural or personal. With more and more congregations in facilities that are decades—even hundreds—of years old embracing new technologies, wireless systems can be the only way to circumvent wiring problems. What’s more, many worship leaders prefer wireless systems for the flexibility they allow. No longer are they tied to a single point in the floor or lectern; wireless mics and clickers allow them to move about and control the flow of video and audio information from anywhere—even among the pews. They also have the option of operating devices themselves or allowing technical staff to do so from the back of the room.

Only a few environmental parameters limit the deployment of wireless systems. If one or more walls or other obstructions lie between the access point and the altar or stage, a repeater unit may be required somewhere between the two points to capture and boost the wireless signal. Also, while the chance of interference is slight, some wireless signals can be compromised if more than one access point is in the vicinity. Access points throw off signals from each other if they transmit on the same, or nearly the same, channel. If this occurs, one must be reset to a frequency with a greater degree of separation.

New Products
In recent months, new products have come to market that make integrated wireless systems more practical than ever before. In addition to Optinet, which manages and allocates bandwidth in real time to meet the data transmission requirements of various wireless devices, breakthroughs like the Wireless VGA Video Presentation System enable users to wirelessly access any Video Graphics Array (VGA) video projector from up to 200 feet away.

The unit, which attaches to the back of any Super VGA or Wide XGA (eXtended Graphics Array) projector, allows multiple PCs to broadcast videos, slides or web pages through the same projector without physical connection. The Wireless VGA Video Presentation System is an inexpensive (under $500) way for worship technicians to project announcements, song lyrics and other A/V content, yet also allow instant “hand-over” to ministers or other speakers who wish to direct their own visual aids during sermons. Its 254-user capacity also makes it practical for conferences or other large-scale events where numbers of people may need to broadcast images.

Other new technologies, however, make it possible to take worship experiences far beyond just video and audio. Audience polling systems are gaining interest in churches. Comprised of a central receiver and any number of small, credit-card-sized polling units that are handed out to parishioners, the system enables speakers to anonymously gather responses from dozens, even hundreds, of people instantly via infrared or radio transmission. Tablet PCs are also becoming more popular, enabling worship leaders to draw, underline or write on their portable wireless PC, and allowing their listeners to see the projected results.

Easy to Install
Installing a wireless system is easy enough for non-professionals to do if they have some basic knowledge. For best reception, wireless Wi-Fi routers or access points should be mounted in a central location; if this is not possible, a high-gain antenna can be used to focus the signal in one direction. Repeaters can also be used to overcome problems presented by walls or floors. A good rule of thumb is to allow no more than 200 feet, line of sight, between the access point and the front of the worship space without some sort of signal boost.

Security for your wireless signal should also be a consideration. Surprisingly, most people don’t take advantage of the security tools that are built into almost every wireless signal emitter. At minimum, you should change the service set identifier (SSID), turn on encryption, and change the default password. If you don’t, you open your system to opportunistic outsiders who can “hop” on your signal, diverting bandwidth and even, perhaps, compromising your worship presentation.

You’ll find a wealth of information online that can help you correctly install your wireless equipment. The best online vendors of wireless products also have free design consulting and technical support personnel who can answer any questions.

On the Horizon
Wireless technology is not new—but its capabilities and possibilities continue to grow. Late this year, the 802.11n standard is expected to be approved, putting into place an upgrade that can increase wireless data transmission rates by a factor of 10 (802.11g and b devices will be compatible, although at slower rates). New software and equipment enable worship leaders to solicit cell phone text messages and even “tweets” from their congregations for on-screen display. With costs going down, data rates going up, and new products continuing to be introduced, the ability for wireless equipment to engage a congregation has never been greater.
by Franco Tavella, As published in Worship Facilities Sept/Oct/'09

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For the best products and services for your church facility and community, contact...
Network Cabling Atlanta ; info@networkcablingatlanta.com ; 678-233-0325
Discount Church Furniture ; info@discountchurchfurniture.com ; 1-866-404-7671
Podium-Lectern ; info@podium-lectern.com ; 678-889-845

VoIP Atlanta GA

noreply@blogger.com (Quique Lopez) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:26:00 +0000

Voip Atlanta GA - Sales and Service

Don't let your phone system get you down. No matter the size of your organization, voip technology from Voip Atlanta GA can design, implement, manage and exceed all your communication needs. Voip Atlanta GA : voip technology for business including Voip internet phone sales, voip service, hosted voip and voip provider in Atlanta GA.

Managing hundreds of lines and/or dozens of extensions, Voip Atlanta GA will design a cost effective solution for today's ever-changing business needs. Easy to upgrade and highly configurable as technology changes - Voip Atlanta GA solutions are likely to be the last communications implementation you will need.

Voip Technology in Atlanta Georgia - Samsung Voip Systems in Atlanta

Voip Atlanta GA

Auto attendant, Voicemail, cordless phones, headsets, door phones, call centers and much much more.

*
Small Office Installation
*
Regional Business with Multiple Offices
*
Telecommuting Installation
*
Large Business with Multiple Offices

Voip Atlanta GA has delivered innovative, cost-effective and efficient Data and Voice solutions for businesses of all sizes. From start-ups to Fortune 500 companies we consistently deliver global experience and local service.

Global Experience - Local Service

Our 100% customer-retention rate demonstrates our unparalleled commitment for providing customers with exceptional technical solutions and customer service on time and at the right price. Our reputation for excellence is why companies like Cousins Properties, Atlanta Bread Company, & Goodwill Industries rely on Voip Atlanta, a division of Botwin Communications, as the single-source of all their telecommunications needs. You can depend on Botwin to work with you every step of the way, from your initial capabilities' assessment through project implementation and post-installation support. Discover the Botwin Communications difference.

News

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Voip Atlanta GA: voip technology for business including Voip internet phone sales, voip service, hosted voip and voip provider in Atlanta GA.

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678-233-0325

Wireless VoIP FAQ's

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:23:00 +0000

Q: What is Wireless VoIP?
A: Wireless VoIP is VoIP running over a Wireless LAN (WLAN). These WLANs are typically compliant with the 802.11 standard. As long as callers are within range of a WLAN access point and using a VoIP enabled handset, they can make and receive calls over the wireless network. Wireless VoIP is gaining adoption in certain vertical industries, such as health care and retail, where worker mobility is critical to a productive workforce.
VoIP Atlanta
Q: What are the shortcomings of Wireless VoIP today?
A: Traditionally, four factors have hindered the adoption of Wireless VoIP. First, the 802.11 standard poses scalability challenges for enterprise class VoIP deployments. Second, Quality of Service (QoS) has been lacking in wireless networks. The 802.11(e) version of the standard is specified to include QoS support. Third, implementing and maintaining a Wireless VoIP solution can be expensive and time consuming. Fourth, fast roaming is required for Wireless VoIP to operate in a seamless manner, something promised by the 802.11(r) standard.

Q: Are there any security concerns with Wireless VoIP?
A: The exact same security issues that exist in the traditional VoIP world exist in the world of Wireless VoIP. These include risks such as eavesdropping and spam. There are additional security concerns that need to be addressed with Wireless VoIP primarily concerning the need to adequately secure the wireless portion of the network. If left unsecure, wireless communications can be intercepted by unauthorized third parties. These third parties can also gain access to the corporate network and may masquerade as valid access points, in the process duping users into entering the network via an invalid access point.

Q: What is Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA)?
A: The UMA specification was developed by wireless companies in an effort to retain control over cellular and Wi-Fi traffic. Unlicensed Mobile Access integrates Wi-Fi voice services with the mobile operators GSM networks. Subscribers with a Wi-Fi enabled cellular phone can switch from the network they use when out of the their home to Wi-Fi when they enter their home or the area covered by their Wi-Fi home network.
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Contact VoIP Atlanta for all your Atlanta area internet phone needs; info@voip-atlanta.net ; 678-233-0325

Samsung and Local Authorized Phone System Provider, Botwin Communications, Sees Opportunity in Atlanta and Georgia Small-To-Medium Sized Business

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:42:00 +0000

Local Samsung Office Phone System Provider, Botwin Communications, Sees Opportunity in Atlanta and Georgia Small-To-Medium Sized Business

Atlanta, GA on Dec 4, 2009 - Visionary Samsung leadership team invests in dealer network expansion to place affordable technology in hands of small business - like local Atlanta and Georgia Recognized Samsung dealer - Voip-Atlanta.net by Botwin Communications.

The recently installed management team at Samsung Business Communication Systems (BCS) unveiled The Samsung Advantage program – a plan to energize the US small- to medium-sized business market by providing them with affordable, enterprise-level telephony solutions that help them compete during the economic downturn. The Samsung Advantage program includes plans for increasing small business accessibility to enterprise-level technology and broadening the Samsung support network for both dealers and end users.

Under the guidance of Samsung Telecommunications America President Dale Sohn, the new BCS management team led by Doug Wonson, Vice President and General Manager will expand its reach to previously untapped areas and dedicate additional resources to support its dealer partners. The Samsung Advantage program is fueled by an $11 million investment from Samsung Telecommunications America and will focus on broadening dealer partnerships and increasing accessibility to Samsung telephony solutions and support.

“In an economic landscape where large businesses are fracturing and scores of enterprise employees are faced with starting their own smaller businesses, there is a growing need for small businesses to have access to the technology they are accustomed to having in a large corporation,” said Sohn. “According to President Obama, small businesses will be responsible for more than two-thirds of new job creation in this new economic environment. These fledgling businesses need to operate efficiently despite a decentralized work environment and compete on the same level as their larger competitors. Samsung has the technology solutions these businesses need at a price they can afford.”

“While other telecommunications providers are downsizing and making cutbacks, Samsung BCS is investing in the future of small business with a renewed commitment to developing powerful yet affordable telecommunications platforms backed by convenient and comprehensive support,” said Wonson. “The Samsung BCS mission is to level the playing field for small- to mid-sized businesses by making enterprise-level telecommunications technologies accessible and affordable to them. The Samsung OfficeServ 7000 Series set of converged platforms was developed with this in mind and will revolutionize the way small- and mid-sized business employees communicate and network.

Locally, Voip-Atlanta.net by Botwin Communications can install and provide service and support for these small to medium size business applications.

About Voip-Atlanta.net and Botwin Communications

Samsung Phone Systems in Atlanta Nortel Phone Systems in Atlanta Avaya Phone Systems in Atlanta

The Voip-Atlanta.net and Botwin Communications Mission is to help clients improve corporate performance by designing, implementing and managing the nations most superior communications network infrastructure.

History
Voip-Atlanta is part of Botwin Communications. Since 1992, the company has delivered innovative, cost-effective, and efficient Data, Voice, Digital Surveillance, and Fiber-Optic connectivity for businesses of all sizes. From start-ups to Fortune 500 companies we consistently deliver global experience and local service.
Our 100% customer-retention rate demonstrates our unparalleled commitment for providing customers with exceptional telephony solutions and customer service on time and at the right price. Our reputation for excellence is why companies like Cousins Properties, Ted's Montana Grill, & Convergent Media rely on Botwin as the single-source of all their telecommunications and networking needs. You can depend on Botwin to work with you every step of the way, from your initial network capabilities' assessment through project implementation and post-installation support. Discover the Botwin Communications difference.

About Botwin's Management
Chuck Botwin is the founder and president of Botwin Communications. Mr. Botwin has over 25 years information technology and connectivity experience. Prior to founding Botwin Communications in 1994, Chuck spent several years as the IT Director of Studley, an international commercial real estate conglomerate. Chuck studied Computer Science at the University of California San Diego.

About Samsung Business Communication Systems

Samsung Business Communication Systems (BCS), a Dallas-based division of Samsung Telecommunications America (STA), is the distribution arm for the company’s line of business communications solutions. Targeting small- to medium-sized businesses, Samsung BCS offers an elite line of telephony-based customer premise equipment (CPE) with dynamic architecture that can accommodate tremendous growth at low incremental costs to meet a variety of communications needs. As an innovator in convergence technology, Samsung's business communications systems combine traditional voice and data capabilities with wireline and wireless technologies providing fully integrated, converged communications platforms and applications. In addition to CPE, Samsung BCS also offers a comprehensive line of voice processing equipment, CTI applications and wireless solutions. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/bcs.

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops, and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of approximately US$105 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of four main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, and Telecommunication Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

VoIP Atlanta Recognized as Certified Nortel Partner and Official Service Provider of Nortel business phone systems

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:20:00 +0000

VoIP Atlanta installs Nortel Voice over IP systems in Georgia and the Southeast

VoIP Atlanta is a department of Botwin Communications, and currently installs Voice over IP phone systems for businesses throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Since 1992, parent company Botwin Communications has delivered innovative, cost-effective, and efficient Data, Voice, Digital Surveillance, and Fiber-Optic connectivity for businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. With the VoIP telecommunications infrastructure, clients receive such features as auto attendant, voicemail, WiFi phones, headsets, door phones, access control, and call center applications.

Nortel is a leader in delivering communications capabilities that make the promise of Business Made Simple a reality for their customers. Their next-generation technologies, for both service provider and enterprise networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications. Nortel's technologies are designed to help eliminate barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting people to the information they need, when they need it. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries around the world.

Nortel delivers hardware and software solutions designed to improve the way consumers and businesses communicate — reducing complexity, increasing productivity and making communications more cost-effective. From design, installation and launch of new networks, to the upgrade, support and management of existing systems, Nortel’s portfolio of solutions is one of the most comprehensive in the industry.

VoIP Atlanta provides telecommunications infrastructure to businesses and institutions in Georgia and the Southeast.

VoIP Atlanta has product lines and services to include designing, implementing and managing Voice over Internet Protocol phone systems known as VoIP or Voice Over IP business phone systems. The Voice-over-Internet protocol is a protocol optimized for the transmission of voice through the Internet or other packet-switched networks. VoIP is often used to refer to the transmission of voice. This is also referred to as IP telephony, Internet telephony, voice over broadband, broadband telephony, or broadband phone. The systems have the ability to plug IP phones into any broadband internet connection, anywhere in the world and be seamlessly connected to the home office system. Data and voice networks can be connected seamlessly from a single location to multiple sites around the world.

The website, www.voip-atlanta.net is an interactive web portal that makes it easy for consumers to learn about the many options available when shopping for Nortel systems utilizing VoIP telecommunications infrastructure connectivity and services in the Atlanta area.

VoIP Atlanta has selected Panorama Press as its media and marketing company for generating exposure and awareness of their Nortel partnership and VoIP business phone system initiatives. Panorama Press is an Atlanta marketing and promotions company serving businesses in Atlanta, Georgia since 1987. The company is comprised of a team of developers, internet marketers and entrepreneurs that provides clients with a variety of services including web strategy, web sponsorships and web development. Panorama Press will utilize its proprietary technologies and 60,000+ readership to enhance the online presence of VoIP-Atlanta.net.

VoIP Atlanta is located at 3268 Fairview Drive in Marietta, Georgia 30066 in Cobb County of metropolitan Atlanta. Advisors are available for consultation 9am to 5pm EST Monday thru Friday. For more information, visit www.voip-atlanta.net or call 678-233-0325.

Samsung OfficeServ Mobex

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:44:00 +0000

Mobility, Connectivity, Flexibility

Mobility is more about connectivity, being in contact, than it is about moving around on the phone. In today’s competitive business environment being properly ‘connected’ is more important than it’s ever been. Having the right information, being up to date with the facts and speaking to people when it matters makes all the difference. Old info is the wrong info and returning calls when it’s too late is pointless. Samsung Unified Communication solutions really deliver in bringing people and their methods of communication together and in contact with each other. Introduced in the new Version 4.30 software release for the OfficeServ 7000 series of systems, the OS Mobex application provides for improved connectivity in your working life. This document summarizes the features of OfficeServ Mobex application. In summary, the OfficeServ Mobex application enables you to set a personal virtual ring group of up to 5 alternative numbers (mobile phone, home office, alternate office, workshop, etc.) which will simultaneously ring when you are away from your main phone.
You will remain always in contact, and will never miss that important call again. The Mobex application allows you to make and receive calls from your mobile through the OS 7000 System as if you were at your desk. Managing calls through the system allows you to maintain the central benefits of call control, operator console, voice mail, call recording, etc.
The Key in all this is that contacts can reach you via one single number.
The OfficeServ Mobex Feature set is available in Version 4.3 of the software and can be supplied on all members of the OfficeServ 7000 range.
The Samsung OS Mobex application is delivered in two variants – Standard and Executive. Standard functionality is supplied with OfficeServ 4.30 software out of the box and is supplied free of charge to users. A standard user can link his mobile device with his desk phone and will receive a call on his mobile, whenever his desk phone rings. The call can then be answered on either the
Mobile or the desk phone.
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Samsung Phones Atlanta.com; info@samsungphonesatlanta.com

Why You Don’t Know VoIP

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:15:00 +0000

Millions of people use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) every day. Skype is mentioned in conversation as casually as Twitter. So how come more people don’t understand what VoIP (and Skype) actually is?

Broadly defined, VoIP is a number of transmission technologies that deliver voice communication over the internet or other IP networks. But, don’t expect the average VoIP user to tell you this.

Let’s explore the three main reasons why people don’t understand VoIP.

1. There’s no need to know: This is probably the reason people don’t understand a lot of things. They don’t care because they don’t need to care. As far as they know VoIP is just a fancy way to make cheap phone calls. They don’t realize that VoIP is all around them and that, even without knowing it, they’ve most likely used it because a huge percentage of all phone calls travel along the IP network at some point.

But can you blame them Most people don’t care how their car works if it gets them from point A to point B. Even when the car breaks down, they just want to know who can fix it and for how much, not why it stopped running. The same goes for VoIP.

Most VoIP users know that they need an internet connection, but nothing more. When call quality worsens or outages occur, most don’t investigate why it’s happening. Like the typical driver whose car won’t start, they just want to know who can fix it.

2. Ads tell only part of the story: For the most part advertising does a poor job of explaining VoIP. Most ads are simple promotions for cheap phone rates and free features. For example, you would not know only from watching the countless Vonage ads that have run on TV over the years that VoIP is behind the cheap unlimited calling rates and features.

But, it’s hard to blame Vonage and other VoIP providers for not explaining the technology. There is no evil plot to keep the public uneducated about VoIP. If you are spending precious advertising dollars trying to sell a VoIP service, would you try to explain what exactly VoIP is? The technical details are best left to be explained once you’ve contacted a sales representative on the phone.

3. Change is scary: Let’s be real, people don’t like the unfamiliar, and VoIP is still new. It took decades from the time Alexander Graham Bell made the world’s first phone call in 1876 for there to be a telephone in the majority of homes. It was only about 15 years ago that the first Internet phone software was created. It’s no wonder that VoIP isn’t the norm yet, much less understood.

Will most people ever get what VoIP actually is? Will VoIP knowledge ever proliferate through the masses? Probably not. The best thing to do is continue educating, one person at a time.

Or not. VoIP works either way.

How to Choose a VoIP Provider for Your Small Business

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:35:00 +0000

A variety of providers want to relieve your company of the burden of owning an IP PBX.

These days, small businesses have to perform like big ones in at least two ways. First, they have to appear big to their customers. Second, they have to possess the communication capabilities and efficiencies of large companies. IP PBXes of one sort or another will surely give your competitors both of those benefits, and probably sooner rather than later. So if your company doesn't adopt IP telephony, it will put itself at a competitive disadvantage.

The hard part is finding the IP PBX that fits both your company's needs and its budget. That's where the choice between on-premise and hosted IP PBXes comes in. Going the on-premise route requires buying and operating equipment, while hosted means using VoIP service delivered from an IP PBX in a service provider's datacenter, with the calls transported over the Internet.

Using a hosted service can help you avoid some of the significant disadvantages of buying your own PBX. The most obvious disadvantage comes "if you have 10 people and have to make a $2,000 to $4,000 investment," said Infonetics Research analyst Matthias Machowinski. "PBXes have a certain base price, so there's going to be the up-front investment, and you have to manage it, too." Another disadvantage appears if your company is expanding rapidly. "If you don't know how big a company you're going to be a year or two down the road, if you invest in a PBX with 50 seats, you could outgrow it," Machowinski added.

Hosted VoIP, by contrast, allows a company to add just the capacity it needs at any given time. And if your business does go with hosted VoIP, it will have a lot of company. According to Infonetics Research, there were 2 million of what the research firm calls "IP Centrex seats "worth $1.1 billion in revenues in the U.S. in 2007. Infonetics Research expects the number to more than double to 5 million seats worth $2.5 billion in 2010.

Your business will also have a lot of choices to make. The range of VoIP providers varies widely. At one end are those that deliver calls over the public Internet. At the other end, some providers control the IP links all the way to your company's premises. The provider may actually own and operate those links, or it may buy them from companies that do. Public Internet delivery is obviously cheaper, while provider-controlled access offers more consistent quality. And there are myriad variations on the two.

by Robert Poe
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Looking for VOIP for your business? Contact Voice Over IP Atlanta
info@voiceoveripatlanta.com

Geemarc launches hearing aid-compatible VoIP headset

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:07:00 +0000

New VoIP technology allows deaf and hard-of-hearing people to make free phone calls over the Internet.
The hearing aid-compatible headset amplifies the sound of VoIP calls, enabling deaf people to make cheap and free phone calls over the Internet.
The headset was developed by Geemarc with input from deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
“Historically, deaf and hard of hearing people have struggled to use free online calls because of the lack of specialist equipment to help them hear the call,” said Andrew Grossman, Geemarc managing director.
“This headset means that people with hearing aids can hear calls more clearly and can now make better use of VoIP and similar chat services.”
The Geemarc CLA3 headset is compatible with PCs, mobile phones, MP3 players, and Geemarc cordless and corded telephones. It retails from £20, and is available now.
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Get your VOIP phone system in Atlanta
Voice Over IP Atlanta
mailto:info@voiceoveripatlanta.com

IP-Enabled Services

noreply@blogger.com (GG-HPA) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:38:00 +0000

(source: FCC)

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some VoIP services may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some VoIP services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter.

How VoIP works...

Frequently Asked Questions

How VoIP / Internet Voice Works
VoIP services convert your voice into a digital signal that travels over the Internet. If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination. VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a computer, a special VoIP phone, or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter. In addition, wireless "hot spots" in locations such as airports, parks, and cafes allow you to connect to the Internet and may enable you to use VoIP service wirelessly.

What Kind of Equipment Do I Need?
A broadband (high speed Internet) connection is required. This can be through a cable modem, or high speed services such as DSL or a local area network. A computer, adaptor, or specialized phone is required. Some VoIP services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, while other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter. If you use your computer, you will need some software and an inexpensive microphone. Special VoIP phones plug directly into your broadband connection and operate largely like a traditional telephone. If you use a telephone with a VoIP adapter, you'll be able to dial just as you always have, and the service provider may also provide a dial tone.

Is there a difference between making a Local Call and a Long Distance Call?

Some VoIP providers offer their services for free, normally only for calls to other subscribers to the service. Your VoIP provider may permit you to select an area code different from the area in which you live. It also means that people who call you may incur long distance charges depending on their area code and service.

Some VoIP providers charge for a long distance call to a number outside your calling area, similar to existing, traditional wireline telephone service. Other VoIP providers permit you to call anywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number of minutes.

If I have VoIP service, who can I call?
Depending upon your service, you might be limited only to other subscribers to the service, or you may be able to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. If you are calling someone who has a regular analog phone, that person does not need any special equipment to talk to you. Some VoIP services may allow you to speak with more than one person at a time.

What Are Some Advantages of VoIP?
Some VoIP services offer features and services that are not available with a traditional phone, or are available but only for an additional fee. You may also be able to avoid paying for both a broadband connection and a traditional telephone line.

What Are Some disadvantages of VoIP?
If you're considering replacing your traditional telephone service with VoIP, there are some possible differences:

Some VoIP services don't work during power outages and the service provider may not offer backup power.

Not all VoIP services connect directly to emergency services through 9-1-1. For additional information, see VoIP & 911 Advisory.

VoIP providers may or may not offer directory assistance/white page listings.

Can I use my Computer While I talk on the Phone?
In most cases, yes.

Can I Take My Phone Adapter with me When I Travel?
Some VoIP service providers offer services that can be used wherever a high speed Internet connection available. Using a VoIP service from a new location may impact your ability to connect directly to emergency services through 9-1-1. For additional information, see VoIP & 911 Advisory.

Does my Computer Have to be Turned on?
Only if your service requires you to make calls using your computer. All VoIP services require your broadband Internet connection to be active.

How Do I Know If I have a VoIP phone Call?
If you have a special VoIP phone or a regular telephone connected to a VoIP adapter, the phone will ring like a traditional telephone. If your VoIP service requires you to make calls using your computer, the software supplied by your service provider will alert you when you have an incoming call.

Does the FCC Regulate VoIP?
In June 2005 the FCC imposed 911 obligations on providers of “interconnected” VoIP services – VoIP services that allow users generally to make calls to and receive calls from the regular telephone network. You should know, however, that 911 calls using VoIP are handled differently than 911 calls using your regular telephone service. Please see our consumer fact sheet on VoIP and 911 services for complete information on these differences.

In addition, the FCC requires interconnected VoIP providers to comply with the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (CALEA) and to contribute to the Universal Service Fund, which supports communications services in high-cost areas and for income-eligible telephone subscribers.

Aspects of these considerations may change with new developments in internet technology. You should always check with the VoIP service provider you choose to confirm any advantages and limitations to their service.

For more info, contact:
VOIP Atlanta - Botwin Communications - 678-391-9136 - info@voip-atlanta.net

The Sports World Is Abuzz Over ShoreTel Unified Communications Systems

noreply@blogger.com (Quique Lopez) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:02:00 +0000

SUNNYVALE, CA -- 05/11/09 -- Whether it's baseball, basketball, hockey or NASCAR, sports organizations are choosing ShoreTel® (NASDAQ: SHOR), a leading provider of Pure IP Unified Communications (UC) solutions. Increasingly, teams and stadiums are deploying ShoreTel UC systems not only for their excellent performance, but also because of the enhanced customer service and cost savings they provide.

ShoreTel's advanced IP-based communications system offers the industry's lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) and is designed for ease of use and optimum accessibility -- crucial elements for stadiums, arenas and other facilities that serve the public.

A SAMPLING OF SPORTS CUSTOMER DEPLOYMENTS

-- San Francisco Giants: The Giants are deploying 450 ShorePhone® IP Telephones throughout AT&T Park and other facilities, including their Scottsdale, Ariz. Stadium, to streamline communications and reduce costs. Along with the ShoreTel Converged Conference solution, the Giants will be using the ShoreWare Contact Center Workgroup application for ticketing, sales and customer service. Also, all park guests will benefit from improved emergency response thanks to ShoreTel's E911 Notification application, which pinpoints the location of calls from a ShoreTel phone anywhere in the ballpark, and automatically informs all designated security staff and emergency responders.

-- Verizon Center/Washington Wizards: The Verizon Center, a $200 million sports and entertainment facility located in the nation's capital, and the Washington Wizards selected ShoreTel's easy-to-configure, easy-to-use system with more than 650 ShorePhone IP Telephones and an additional 700 plus analog extensions serving its luxury suites and facility operations. ShoreTel was selected over the competition based on the system's features, price and reliability. The multi-purpose arena hosts an average of 220 events per year, and is home to the NBA's Washington Wizards, the NHL's Washington Capitals, the WNBA's Washington Mystics and the NCAA's Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team.

-- Sacramento River Cats: The River Cats, a Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A's, deployed 170 ShoreTel ShorePhones, on a robust ShoreTel architecture based on ShoreGear® Voice Switches, ShoreWare® Director, ShoreWare Personal Call Manager, and ShoreWare Operator Call Manager. The system provides advanced communications for their front offices and the 14,400-seat Raley Field ballpark in West Sacramento. In addition to improved operational efficiencies, club employees now are able to better communicate and collaborate with fans and suppliers. The River Cats have won four Pacific Coast League Championships between 2003 and 2008.

-- HSBC Arena/Buffalo Sabres: The National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres deployed a ShoreTel UC system -- 19 ShoreTel switches and 680 phones -- throughout the HSBC Arena due to ShoreTel's attractive return on investment, built-in redundancy, and effective call handling. The system provides enterprise resource matching of calls based on customer and agent profiles, advanced real-time management and historical measurement tools. The HSBC Arena is also the home of the Buffalo Bandits Lacrosse team and hosts regular events throughout the year.

-- Frisco RoughRiders: The Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, chose to deploy ShoreTel's UC system throughout Dr. Pepper Park in North Dallas. The team selected ShoreTel because it offers a low TCO and increases staff efficiency, while providing an excellent experience to partners and fans, with features such as advanced call handling, Workgroups, and one-touch Web dialing. The team is deploying 170 ShoreTel ShorePhones throughout the executive offices, locker rooms, luxury suites, concession stands and ballpark offices.

-- Infineon Raceway (NASCAR): Speedway Motor Sports, owners of this famous track in Sonoma, Calif., and organizers of the NASCAR races, chose ShoreTel because of the system's flexibility in expanding and contracting to meet spikes in user traffic. The ShoreTel deployment comprises about 50 ShoreTel ShorePhones but can quickly scale to several hundreds of phones in a variety of locations to support crowded race events. As a result of the ShoreTel UC implementation, Infineon has reduced its costs of having unused lines in place, and has turned the media center into a profit center with the ability to readily pass on expanded phone service charges to vendors.

QUOTE

Kevin Gavin, vice president, marketing, ShoreTel:

"In the fast-paced sporting world, all eyes are on the game, and communications have to be almost invisible while supporting effective, safe operations in an intense, public environment. Sporting facilities and organizations are turning to ShoreTel for this type of reliable, scalable and cost-effective unified communications system that also offers the flexibility to tailor applications around specific communication needs. ShoreTel is helping these customers stay ahead of the game with an agile, distributed communications platform that is so simple to manage, everyone's a winner."

For detailed information on ShoreTel products and features, click here.

How Internet Phone Service - VoIP Works

noreply@blogger.com (B Brown) — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:54:00 +0000

Have you heard of Internet phone service / VoIP? Perhaps you have used this modern technology yourself, but do you know exactly how it works. Take a look at this overview of the process in order to understand just why this system of calling is so popular and so cheap.

Technical Aspects

Technically speaking, VoIP takes your voice and converts the sound into a digital signal that can be carried across the internet - and thus around the globe. Additionally, if the person on the other end is using a regular telephone, another conversion is made in order for them to understand the sound as regular conversation.

Equipment Needed for Internet Phone Service / VoIP

VoIP calls are accomplished with the help of certain software and hardware. If you are communicating strictly with a computer, then only software is required. If you are using a regular telephone, then you must also have an adapter to connect it to the internet. Either way, incoming phone calls utilise a ringing sound to provide an alert for an incoming call.

Of course, in order for the digital signal to travel across the internet, a connection is required. It must be high speed, such as a broadband connection via a cable or DSL modem. Wireless VoIP communication is also possible via internet access points in hot spots such as airports, libraries, municipalities, etc.

For use with a computer, VoIP will require a microphone and speakers in order to speak and hear the sound. Some consumers who use this service with their PC prefer to connect a headset in order to ease the communication process and keep the other side of their conversation private.

With a regular telephone set, users can dial just as they would normally, however some companies require that a specific access number be dialled first. Check with the individual service provider to determine the exact procedure.

Save Money

Many times Internet phone service / VoIP is offered at a deeply discounted rate along with the features most consumers have come to expect from cell phone service providers. These include free long distance calls, call waiting, call forwarding, etc. Because you are only utilising your broadband internet connection, there are no additional fees for setup and other monthly services, making it quite cheap.

There are many benefits when using Internet phone service / VoIP for your personal and/or business needs. Perhaps the biggest advantage comes from the cost savings. Check out the options available to you in order to start using this modern technology and start saving money on your telephone bill right away.

(By Chris Jenkinson)

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Voice Over IP Atlanta can design, implement, manange
and exceed all your communication needs.
Auto attendant, Voicemail, cordless phones, headsets,
door phones, call centers and much much more.
info@voiceoveripatlanta.com
Voice Over IP Atlanta
678-391-9136

The Advantages of VoIP Phone Systems

noreply@blogger.com (B Brown) — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:50:00 +0000

Telephone service that started out as linked, twisted, and insulated wires for voice communications have been replaced by advanced technology, such as VoIP phone systems. IP telephone technology called Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP technology has opened new technological ways to work from your on computer and link voice and data communications. VoIP phone service utilizes your computers transmission methods to send voice communications that are offered at a low monthly access fee and includes free long distance calling and other features such as voicemails that are converted to text messages.

Traditionally, long distance service flowed over to "trunk lines" and a hefty charge was incurred to cover costs. Now unlimited long distance may be included in a reasonable flat fee as part of your VoIP phone service, utilizing your computer and even many mobile phone services offer nationwide long distance free of charge due to use of satellite signals.

Voice over Internet Protocol phone service uses a broadband Internet connection and IP phones to transmit conversations in data packets and convert them back to voice communications, coming through your computer or a telephone. IP telephone service offers free or lower cost connections using Wi-Fi hotspots and because it flows through your computer, includes free long distance access as well.

Mobile phones are capable of allowing you to browse the Internet and read emails and are a portable communication device. VoIP phone services flow voice communications through a computer and is similar to the satellite connectivity that has transformed many non-telephone electronic devices, into multi-tasking, hand-held telephone and data devices. Through VoIP technology, home telephone service may cease to exist in the form of landlines, as we know it today.

VoIP technology can be used in remote areas that have wireless access or hotspots to the Internet. Because it uses an IP address connection, all of your data and voice communications can be consolidated into one low monthly bill that saves you the long distance charges. Many VOIP Phone service plans have also reduced international calling plans.

The cost savings of landline charges and long distances are the primary reason that many people are switching to VoIP phone services, due to it being far more affordable and reliable. As technology has advanced, there are ultra-portable laptops that use mobile broadband networks and VOIP phone service can be integrated in much the same way. VoIP is a way that communications of all kinds can utilize internet connections to transmit data packets of voice communications, photos or data.

As wireless internet hotspots become more popular and widespread, it is possible to get a VoIP phone service that utilizes these for coverage whether at home or away, through your IP address. New technology that takes advantage of these lower cost signals is becoming widespread through many products and services. The advantages of VoIP phone systems are many, but the cost savings can be dramatic, depending on the amount of long distance usage and line charges you have been incurring with traditional phone services.

(By Derek Rogers)

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Voip Phones And Other Voip Devices - Is It For Me?

noreply@blogger.com (B Brown) — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:14:00 +0000

VoIP software provides an alternative way to use your VoIP Service not only as softphone over your pc in the home but anywhere that you travel. Voice over IP software like softphones or software phones are essentially computer programs that run on your computer and allow you to make voice over IP calls through your computer. The software phone is virtual and is usually designed to look similar to a cell phone. The user dials the recipient phone number using the softphone and is able to connect to the traditional telephone network to make phone calls just like a normal telephone.Get a local number from your VoIP service provider.
Telephone calls can be received also through VoIP software. The provider of your voice over IP service will give you a telephone number which can be dialed from a normal traditional telephone, a cellular phone or a voice over IP which will always connect to your software phone. This way, you will be able to send and receive phone calls through your telephone software without any glitches. People that call you will never know that they are speaking with you through your computer unless you actually tell them, the technology is seamless. Some telephony service providers offer Softphones to their customers for free, others charge for it. Also, software phones can be downloaded from the Internet for free use. Unfortunately, some of the larger voice over IP providers charge extra monthly fees just for the use of a softphone. If you feel that a softphone or internet phone would work for you, try to find a VoIP service provider that offers this service for free. The reality is that the software is free to download and there is no logical reason to charge for its use. Get the best rates in VoIP telephony.
Another alternative to paying extra fees to use a software phone is to sign up with a web based voice over IP company. With these companies, you are free to use the service that they provide any way that you want to. If you want to purchase a VoIP router to connect to their service with a regular phone you can, if you want to connect via a USB phone it is fine or if you want a software phone they allow you to download one for free or purchase one with extra features from absolutely any company that you would like. Now that is freedom! Get the best in telephony with VoIP.
As with anything in life, knowledge is power. Do your research before getting stuck in an agreement that is not in your best interest. Although it is easy to get confused with new technologies, if you do your homework, you will definitely find the best deal for you.

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What can a Voice over IP phone system do for my small business?

noreply@blogger.com (B Brown) — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:08:00 +0000

Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, is a term used to describe the transmission of telephone calls using a data network, rather than over traditional phone lines. It is a simple concept, but one that is having a very significant impact on the world of business communications.

VoIP is itself enabled by a much broader technological evolution, namely the convergence of multiple forms of communication, including voice, video and data, into a single network. This transformation is creating a revolution in the way communications works, and it has the potential to offer major benefits to your business. It can help your company grow by broadening your communications capabilities, it can save you money on your telecommunications costs, and it can enable more productivity, mobility and flexibility in your workforce.

Many small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) around the world are already benefiting from the advantages of VoIP systems, many of which are well suited to these kinds of organizations. Here are some examples of why VoIP is making a major impact on business communications for SMBs:

' It provides the ability to use an integrated voice and data network at a lower cost than the separate parts. ' It offers the SMBs communications capabilities on a par with the largest of companies. ' It can open the door to new services and applications that can drive additional revenue and help cope with expansions in customer demand. ' It can lead to increased employee productivity by giving employees a more flexible means of communicating and allowing more mobility, while increasing the flow of information.

There are different ways for SMBs to take advantage of the benefits from VoIP. An upgrade to an existing phone system, when available, can allow VoIP communications between different locations, without any major disruption to the infrastructure in each office. Alternatively, a new VoIP system can be purchased to replace an old phone switch and open up new capabilities. Yet another option is to pay monthly for a Service Provider to provide a hosted VoIP system, without buying any capital equipment at all.

Small and medium sized businesses are often good candidates for VoIP systems, and have represented a majority of the early adopters of technology. While large companies have complex networks, with a multitude of different phone systems that can be difficult to integrate into a single converged network, small companies' networks are more straightforward, allowing an easier transition to VoIP.

However, some companies have found that there are complexities or difficulties that get in the way of them maximizing the impact of the new technology. Lack of good advice, a misconceived plan or a deployment by inexperienced personnel can all led to problems.

The keys to a successful transition to a VoIP based network start with a clear understanding of the business case behind it and an implementation plan that best fits the company's overall objectives.

There are certain circumstances, however, where the technology is likely to have a more significant impact than others. If your company is in one or more of the following situations you will tend to get a faster payback:

' expanding and need or likely to need larger offices ' have a significant percentage of employees that travel on business or work full-time or part-time from home, using laptops ' making acquisitions and need to integrate with other business ' have international offices ' have a growing volume of incoming calls ' have not replaced or upgraded their phone infrastructure in the last 5 years ' have a good penetration of Ethernet cabling and have communications equipment that is less than 3 years old ' operate in an industry with dynamic competition where strong customer service levels are essential

Overall, VoIP based phone systems offer great potential for small companies and can help to keep costs under control while growing a successful business.

About the author: Nick Pegley is President of smbINFO Inc a technology information services company specializing in the needs of small businesses. With more than 20 years of experience in the networking, telecommunications and small business markets, Nick has seen first-hand how small companies can use technology to become more competitive, more responsive and more profitable when they know how to use it correctly.

(By Nick Pegley)

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VoIP for dummies. A basic guide for NZ users

noreply@blogger.com (B Brown) — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:57:00 +0000

What is VoIP?

VoIP is short for Voice over Inter Protocol. Quite simply it’s the ability to encode your voice, convert this to data packets which are then sent over a local network or internet connection to a remote device where it’s turned back into sound. Most people out there have heard of Skype and instantly think of this when they hear the word VoIP.

Skype is VoIP product but it uses a proprietary protocol that is incompatible with the SIP protocol which has become the defacto standard for VoIP.

There are three major providers offering SIP VoIP services in New Zealand, WorldxChange’s VFX and DVX services, 2talk and iTalk. Both iTalk and 2talk are run by Callplus but have different pricing structures. There are a large number of VoIP providers in New Zealand but these really are the three main providers that many people will encounter and all three provider the ability to have local phone numbers in a large number of regions. An extensive list of providers is available from the voipusers.org.nz website

I want to get into VoIP – what do I need?

You have three options. A PC based softphone, a standalone VoIP phone or an ATA (analogue telephone adapter) that allows you to use a regular analogue telephone.

The cheapest way is to use a Softphone. This allows you to use a headset plugged into your PC soundcard or USB port with a PC based phone application to make or receive calls. Unless you have a high quality headset call quality can be unpredictable and fine tuning is required to ensure you don’t suffer problems with echo. Your computer always needs to be switched on to make and receive calls.

An ATA (analogue telephone adapter) has an Ethernet port that plugs into your router and has an RJ11 jack on the back for connecting a regular corded or cordless phone to make calls. This is completely separate from your PC and it doesn’t need to be switched on to make calls. There are a large number of manufacturers producing ATA’s and the call quality will typically be very good but may require some fine tuning with some phones to eliminate issues such as echo.

A SIP VoIP phone looks similair to a regular desktop phone but doesn’t need any adapters. It plugs straight into the Ethernet port on your router and once again this is completely separate from your PC. A VoIP phone offers the best call quality but will typically be the most expensive option. Once again there are a large number of manufacturers producing SIP compatible phones and in practice any SIP compatible device will work with any VoIP provider offering a SIP service.

The main advantages of a true VoIP phone over an ATA are the ability to have dedicated keys for phone functions (such as DND or voicemail) and the fact many phones these days have large LCD screens allowing you to do cool things such as running XML based applications. Call quality of a true VoIP phone will also typically be superior and additional high quality voice codecs like G.722 are also available.

So why would I want to move to VoIP?

The reality is that all voice calling is moving towards VoIP. In around 5 years time Telecom will have moved most of it’s voice calling to VoIP equipment. As a normal phone user you won’t notice any difference, you will still receive a dialtone when you pick up your regular home phone. This dialtone however won’t be coming from Telecom’s legacy analogue NEAX phone exchanges, it will typically be coming from a line card in your nearest Telecom road side cabinet. This line card will connect to Telecom’s IMS network and will be completely IP based. Right now both Vodafone and Orcon are doing this on their Orcon+ and Vodafone Red networks however neither network will allow you to connect a VoIP phone or ATA directly to their VoIP network, you’re stuck with having to use a regular analogue phone running off your incoming phoneline.

There are two main reasons people are adopting VoIP right now. First off they’re choosing to use a VoIP provider for all calling rather than legacy analogue POTS (plain old telephone service) or ISDN voice services provided to Telecom or TelstraClear. With unbundled internet connections (the ability to receive an internet connection without the requirement for a phoneline) people are able to completely replace their existing phonelines with a VoIP based solution and benefit from the advanced features that are on offer that simply can’t be delivered cost effectively over traditional POTS based telephony.

Many people are also moving towards VoIP based solutions due to significant savings that can be made due to the cheaper calling rates available from VoIP providers. VoIP providers such as VFX and 2talk offer calling rates of around 5c per minute for national calls and to many international destinations. Calls between users on the same VoIP network are also typically free so there are no costs associated with calling somebody else connected to the same network, no matter where in the world they could be located.

One of the beauties of VoIP is that borders also open up – if you’re somebody in New Zealand who has friends or family in another country then you can sign up with a VoIP provider in that country, receive a local phone number and your friends or family can call you for the same price as any other local call. If you sign up with a provider such as Faktortel you can receive an Australian phone number and can also make flat rate untimed calls to anywhere in Australia for 12c – that’s per call, not per minute!

If you’re a business user then the benefits of VoIP can be even greater. If you have multiple branches or offices then users can all have extensions off the same PBX and make calls between extensions for free. You can also have phone numbers in different cities all liked back to a single PBX. These features can be done with existing analogue phones and phone lines but can’t be done as easily or as cheaply as it can with VoIP.

You could be anywhere in the world that has an internet connection and have a remote extension that works just like you’re in the office. If you have a WiFi & VoIP capable mobile phone such as many recent Nokia N and E series handsets you can connect to a WiFi hotspot in London and make and receive calls without incurring any costs other than the cost of your WiFi connection and avoid extremely costly mobile roaming costs for voice calls.

So how much will it cost me to move to VoIP?

For a home user the cost of an ATA adapter for existing phones is somewhere in the $100 - $200 range for a basic unit. It is also possible to buy ADSL modem/router units with built in ATA but these can cost significantly more depending on the brand. If you want a true VoIP phone these start at around $150. If you are plugging an ATA into an existing router/modem ensure that you enable QoS (quality of service) on your router so that voice traffic is given priority over other internet traffic. If you don’t do this or have a router that doesn’t support QoS then you risk having your audio drop out if you’re trying to access the internet from a PC at the same time as you’re making a phone call.

If you’re a business user then the move to VoIP can be dome in many different ways. You could replace all your existing phones and PBX with a VoIP PBX unit (such as a Epygi Quadro’s or PC based solution such as trixbox) but this is a significant upfront cost. A PBX option such as this will give you all the features you’d come to expect from a traditional analogue PBX such as call transfers, music on hold, DND, auto attendant etc but then offer plenty of other features such as voicemail (with the ability to have your voicemails to straight to email), realtime call analysis and reporting, click to dial from your Outlook contacts list and the ability for run PC based software so a receptionist can view the status of all users and transfer calls all with the click of a mouse.

If you’re just wishing to have a VoIP option for cheaper calling rates then an ATA can be hooked up to an existing PBX to allow routing of calls via a VoIP provider who offers cheaper calling rates than your existing provider. This is also a cheap way of giving yourself access to other markets, if you’re a business who has customers in Australia for example you could register this ATA with an Australian VoIP provider and allow your customers to ring you on an Australian number rather than them having to call New Zealand.

What are the catches?

The biggest catch when it comes to VoIP is the quality of the hardware you are using and the quality of the network and internet connections you are using. Most people in NZ receive broadband using an ADSL connection and the quality of this connection will determine how well your VoIP will work. If you’re a business customer then a higher quality connection such as a fibre optic connection from a broadband provider such as Cutylink is highly recommended. The only other downside is that your VoIP phone will not work in a power cut – if you’re running a VoIP setup at home it pays to ensure you have a UPS powering your router and ATA or VoIP phones to ensure you can still place calls while the power is out.

(By Steve Zone)

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VoIPing Around the Globe

noreply@blogger.com (B Brown) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:33:00 +0000

Hosted IP PBX and other VoIP services theoretically allow you to support users working remotely, including overseas employees, agents, or associates.
With an appropriately programmed VoIP terminal—an IP phone, analog gateway with conventional phone, or PC-based softphone—users can plug into a high-speed Internet connection anywhere in the world and make or take calls and use PBX features pretty much as if they were in the office.
Best of all: no overseas toll charges when calling back to your home country or region.
But can you rely on a VoIP services to work well and consistently overseas? Enterprise VoIPplanet put the theory to the test recently. The short answer: yes, you can—although the experience may not be totally glitch-free.
Your correspondent recently spent a three-month working sabbatical in Sicily, Italy. A reliable and inexpensive voice connection back to North America was crucial for conducting interviews and other business.
If you have employees or associates who work abroad all or part of the time and need to be in constant and reliable voice contact with the main office and other destinations in the home country, you face the same challenges I did, and VoIP can deliver the same benefits.
I worked with Primus Canada, the Canadian division of McLean, Virginia-based Primus Telecommunications Group Inc., which also has offices in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Germany, France, Japan, and Australia.
Primus let me test its Hosted PBX service, which is similar to others of its kind in offering big-firm phone system functionality—including voice mail as e-mail, find-me-follow-me, sophisticated call routing, and other features—all for a fixed monthly per-seat fee.
Cost per seat for the Primus Canada service, which includes phone set and dedicated T1 access to your office: about $24 to $40. (Charges from Primus in the U.S. may differ.)
The company initially set me up with two extensions and two different terminal devices. One was a Linksys SPA2102 analog gateway, a device not much bigger or heavier than a cigarette package, which I took with me to Italy. The other was a Cisco 7961G IP feature phone, which I left at home to be used by family looking after the house. (It was too big to easily pack.)
I also took with me to Italy the DUALphone 3088, a dual-mode Skype/landline cordless phone system from RTX Telecom, a Danish company. (I wrote a review of the DUALphone for this publication two years ago.)
Its wireless base station plugs into both a network router (for Skype) and a landline—or in this case, the Primus gateway. The cordless handset with its charging cradle can be placed and used anywhere within 50 meters of the base station.
The apartment I rented in Sicily included very high-speed (supposedly 7 megabit per-second) ADSL-based Internet service from Telecom Italia, the incumbent phone company in Italy. The Wi-Fi modem/router, from Sitecom, was located in the apartment and easily accessible.
Setting up the phone system took minutes once the gear was unpacked—I had done a dry run back home. The DUALphone base station plugged into one Ethernet port on the Sitecom router, the Primus Linksys gateway into another.
The phone lets you choose which service you use to make calls—or you can set it to use either Skype or the landline by default. Primus dial tone was available within less than two minutes of plugging in the gateway.
The first call back to North America was nerve-wracking. The success of the entire voyage depended on the telecommunications solution working well. To my great relief, it worked fine.
Calls to and from the Cisco desk set back home using the DUALphone handset on the Sicilian end were virtually indistinguishable from test calls I’d made with the Primus and RTX gear before leaving home—good sound quality, no noticeable latency.
One of the beauties of PBXs, hosted or otherwise, is four-digit dialing between extensions. With the set-up I tested, it was possible for my daughter to dial four digits to reach me in Italy, or vice versa.
In later calls to outside numbers in North America, there was some latency and just noticeable jitter, but it was almost always only in the first few seconds of a connection, after which the call stabilized and the experience was similar to or indistinguishable from making calls within North America.
Over the 11 weeks I was working in Sicily, I placed or received well in excess of 100 calls using the Primus service. I can remember only one on which latency and jitter made conversation impossible. (Hanging up and placing the call again solved the problem.) There were also one or two dropped calls.
This is not to say there were no serious problems. Dialing calls using the DUALphone handset turned out to be frustrating in the extreme.
As with many PBXs, by default, the Primus service requires you to dial 9 to get an outside line, then the full ten-digit number with area and country code. On many first, second and subsequent attempts to dial a number in North America, Primus would fail to put the call through and tell me I needed to first dial a "long-distance access code"—by which it apparently meant the ‘9’ and/or ‘1’.
According to the always helpful and always available Primus Hosted PBX technical support team, there was a "known issue" with the Linksys gateway that sometimes caused it to fail to receive or register all digits dialed.
This problem has also been reported by users making intra-North American calls, so it wasn’t only or just to do with being in Europe and more router hops from the Primus server. It also was not a problem for me when testing the Cisco desk set, nor has it been reported by other IP phone users, Primus says.
The dialing woes became enough of a frustration, though, that for a time, I was using SkypeOut for scheduled calls so I wouldn’t have to worry about having to make several attempts to get a connection and end up being late for or missing an appointment.
Although I made far fewer calls using Skype, on the calls I did use if for, it delivered impressive call quality and connection reliability—better than I had experienced a couple of years ago with SkypeOut, and almost as good as with Primus.
I had Skype’s Unlimited World monthly subscription as a back-up to Primus—$12.95, but currently recession-priced at 25 percent off. It gives you unlimited calling to landlines in over 40 countries.
After I complained enough about the dialing problems with the Linksys gateway, Primus set me up with a third extension configured to use its downloadable softphone software, developed by CounterPath. This was a more than adequate solution.
Customers of Primus's hosted PBX in Canada can pay for a separate softphone extension (about $24) or add softphone capability to an existing extension for about $4. (In the latter case, they can configure the service to ring both phones.)
Call quality declined noticeably but not disastrously with the softphone. Jitter became a minor problem, with voices at the other end sometimes sounding a little fuzzy and robotic. And echo on the line was occasionally a minor problem.
But voice quality, with only a couple of exceptions, was always at least adequate, and sometimes as good as when using the gateway and RTX handset. Connections were consistently solid.
There were also some additional benefits to using the softphone. For one thing, it simplified recording phone interviews, something journalists need to do, but perhaps not many other types of workers.
When using the gateway and DUALphone handset, I had to connect a portable digital recorder with a phone line splitter and then disconnect it from the phone and connect it to my computer to download recordings. With the CounterPath softphone, I could click a button in the dial-pad interface to start recording directly to the computer’s hard drive. It saved several steps and produced better recordings.
The CounterPath softphone also automates importing contacts from Outlook/Exchange, and then lets you autodial by contact. You do have to remember to import contacts again each time you add new ones, but the CounterPath import utility is smart enough to only import the new ones so it only takes seconds.
Bottom line? The experience of using a North American VoIP service overseas will of course depend to a large extent on the service and the Internet connection. In this case, both were easily up to the task.

(By Gerry Blackwell)

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Voip Atlanta is the first and last name you need in the technology

of the transmissionof voice through the Internet. It is also known

asIP telephony, Internet telephony, voice over broadband,

broadband telephony, and broadband phone.We have deliver

innovative, cost-effective, and efficient Data, Voice

connectivity for your businesses.

678-391-9136

info@voip-atlanta.net

Voip-Atlanta

Voice Over IP Phone System Security

noreply@blogger.com (B Brown) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:48:00 +0000

Many businesses who are looking to make the switch to Voice over IP phone systems for the many advantages it provides over traditional phone systems, have been hesitant in the past when considering possible security issues posed by Internet Protocol servers.

Today however, with the advancement of technologies, companies can rest assured that their networks remain secure while taking advantage of VoIP. Most of this confidence comes from advancements made over the last decade by providers who have evolved best practices to ensure security.

According to a recent VendorGuru.com white paper, “ Five Steps to a Secure VoIP Solution,” many of these providers outsource their security expertise as part of a hosted IP telephony plan.

The white paper warns that in order for companies to ensure security, they need to understand the concerns and build a secure environment that also doesn’t comprise call quality.

Possible vulnerabilities VoIP phone system networks can be exposed to include DoS or, Denial of Service Attacks, which clog up servers with overloaded traffic that deteriorates call quality. Server Integrity attacks are also possible and important to combat because they can lead to fraud, identity theft and other sensitive information being leaked. Eavesdropping, Spam OverInternet Telephony ( News - Alert), and SIP attacks are also all possible, so it is important that security is taken seriously

The VendorGuru.com white paper highlights 5 VoIP security measures that will help companies to ensure the integrity of their communications system and that the quality of services are not compromised.

Listed here are those 5 measures. Check out the white paper HERE for a more in-depth explanation of these.

1. Data Security Applications.

2. Encryption

3. Network Architecture

4. User Training

5. Outsourced Security

By carefully planning and understanding their specific needs, companies can safely make the move to a Voice over IP phone systems and create a network that’s resistant to security breaches.

(By Stefania Viscusi)

Voice Over IP Atlanta can design, implement, manange
and exceed all your communication needs.
Auto attendant, Voicemail, cordless phones, headsets,
door phones, call centers and much much more.
info@voiceoveripatlanta.com
Voice Over IP Atlanta
678-391-9136

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Samsung BCS Sees Opportunity in US Small-To-Medium Sized Business- Visionary leadership team invests in dealer network expansion to place affordable t

noreply@blogger.com (Quique Lopez) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:26:00 +0000

RICHARDSON, Texas – March 10, 2009 – The recently installed management team at Samsung Business Communication Systems (BCS) unveiled today The Samsung Advantage program – a plan to energize the US small- to medium-sized business market by providing them with affordable, enterprise-level telephony solutions that help them compete during the economic downturn. The Samsung Advantage program includes plans for increasing small business accessibility to enterprise-level technology and broadening the Samsung support network for both dealers and end users.

Under the guidance of Samsung Telecommunications America President Dale Sohn, the new BCS management team led by Doug Wonson, Vice President and General Manager will expand its reach to previously untapped areas and dedicate additional resources to support its dealer partners. The Samsung Advantage program is fueled by an $11 million investment from Samsung Telecommunications America and will focus on broadening dealer partnerships and increasing accessibility to Samsung telephony solutions and support.
“In an economic landscape where large businesses are fracturing and scores of enterprise employees are faced with starting their own smaller businesses, there is a growing need for small businesses to have access to the technology they are accustomed to having in a large corporation,” said Sohn. “According to President Obama, small businesses will be responsible for more than two-thirds of new job creation in this new economic environment. These fledgling businesses need to operate efficiently despite a decentralized work environment and compete on the same level as their larger competitors. Samsung has the technology solutions these businesses need at a price they can afford.”
“While other telecommunications providers are downsizing and making cutbacks, Samsung BCS is investing in the future of small business with a renewed commitment to developing powerful yet affordable telecommunications platforms backed by convenient and comprehensive support,” said Wonson. “The Samsung BCS mission is to level the playing field for small- to mid-sized businesses by making enterprise-level telecommunications technologies accessible and affordable to them. The Samsung OfficeServ 7000 Series set of converged platforms was developed with this in mind and will revolutionize the way small- and mid-sized business employees communicate and network.

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Voip Atlanta has earned the recognition of Certified Samsung Partner and Official Service Provider of Samsung business phone systems. The Samsung OfficeServ system offers a variety of equipment choices with features and service levels to handle the needs of any size client. Equipment ranges from the Samsung OfficeServ 100 phone system for smaller offices or OfficeServ500 for medium to larger size companies, up through the Samsung OfficeServ 7100, 7200, and 7400 system platforms. The larger 7400 is state-of-the-art business telephone system that offers higher port capacity, a gigabit Ethernet backbone and 64-channel MGI cards that enable larger VoIP applications and support for up to 500 users.

Voip Atlanta
is located at 3268 Fairview Drive in Marietta, Georgia 30066 in Cobb County of metropolitan Atlanta. Advisors are available for consultation 9am to 5pm EST Monday thru Friday http://www.voip-atlanta.net or call 678-324-5400

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Samsung Announces Availability of SIP Services and Remote Location Features for OfficeServ 7000 Series

noreply@blogger.com (Quique Lopez) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:21:00 +0000

Samsung Business Communication Systems (BCS) has announced the availability of session initiation protocol (SIP trunking and SIP stations) and new mobility features for the OfficeServ 7000 series systems. With these feature updates, Samsung enables channel partners to help small and midsized businesses (SMB) customers better utilize their networks and to leverage powerful mobility across remote locations. Among the pioneers in the SMB market, Samsung’s OfficeServ 7000 family of products delivers true convergence to SMBs with as few as one user to as many as 400.
Samsung’s latest SIP services software release for the OfficeServ 7000 series is helping SMBs to facilitate cost savings and is attractive to SMBs primarily due to monthly recurring cost savings it generates versus traditional Public Switched Telephone Network services. SIP trunking also provides network flexibility as SMBs manage growth, helping them avoid the incremental spikes of purchasing entire T1 circuits or slightly smaller increments of T1 or E1 circuits to expand their network. Additionally, SIP trunking provides an opportunity to utilize virtual telephone numbers that can greatly reduce long distance charges.
Adding more value to SMBs’ increasing appetite for convergence and productivity, Samsung’s SMT-W5100E VoIP 802.11g wireless handset can now be registered to the OfficeServ 7000 series phone system for use at remote locations. Now workers can stay connected and productive at all times. Whether they are working from home, at a remote office or in an expansive warehouse, workers can stay connected and productive without being tethered to their desks.
“We are pleased to offer our channel partners and SMBs the cost-saving benefits of SIP trunking and enhanced mobility features with this latest software release for the OfficeServ 7000 series,” said Doug Wonson, vice president and general manager, Samsung BCS. “Samsung BCS is committed to continuous innovation and to delivering enterprise-class convergence to the SMB market. These recent updates represent our focus on delivering cost-effective and powerful converged solutions for small businesses.”
The OfficeServ 7000 series levels the playing field for today’s SMB by supplying voice and data, wired and wireless, traditional voice and VoIP telephony capabilities – all on a single, cost-effective platform. All SMBs have to do is choose the OfficeServ configuration that is right for them: the OfficeServ 7000 series platform can support 2 - 480 stations, and since it is the goal of every business to grow, the OfficeServ platform has a modular design and can easily accommodate future business growth.
The OfficeServ 7000 series – a result of Samsung BCS’ expertise in wireless communications, IP technology and core networks – offers converged systems that are both cost-effective and tailor-made for an SMB’s unique needs. And a converged platform – not just voice and data, but the convergence of wireline and wireless – brings a whole new set of benefits previously only available for the large enterprise. Employees at a smaller company using a converged communications system are easily accessible since they can be contacted anytime, anywhere; therefore, increasing their productivity.
About Samsung Business Communication Systems
Samsung Business Communication Systems (BCS), a Dallas-based division of Samsung Telecommunications America (STA), is the distribution arm for the company’s line of business communications solutions. Targeting small- to medium-sized businesses, Samsung BCS offers an elite line of telephony-based customer premise equipment (CPE) with dynamic architecture that can accommodate tremendous growth at low incremental costs to meet a variety of communications needs. As an innovator in convergence technology, Samsung's business communications systems combine traditional voice and data capabilities with wireline and wireless technologies providing fully integrated, converged communications platforms and applications. In addition to CPE, Samsung BCS also offers a comprehensive line of voice processing equipment, CTI applications and wireless solutions.

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Voip Atlanta has earned the recognition of Certified Samsung Partner and Official Service Provider of Samsung business phone systems. The Samsung OfficeServ system offers a variety of equipment choices with features and service levels to handle the needs of any size client. Equipment ranges from the Samsung OfficeServ 100 phone system for smaller offices or OfficeServ500 for medium to larger size companies, up through the Samsung OfficeServ 7100, 7200, and 7400 system platforms. The larger 7400 is state-of-the-art business telephone system that offers higher port capacity, a gigabit Ethernet backbone and 64-channel MGI cards that enable larger VoIP applications and support for up to 500 users.

Voip Atlanta
is located at 3268 Fairview Drive in Marietta, Georgia 30066 in Cobb County of metropolitan Atlanta. Advisors are available for consultation 9am to 5pm EST Monday thru Friday http://www.voip-atlanta.net or call 678-324-5400

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VOIP Atlanta: IP Breathes New Life Into Tired Fax

noreply@blogger.com (B Brown) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:10:00 +0000

March 16, 2009 (by Ed Sutherland)

More than 160 years after the facsimile machine was invented, IP communications is breathing new life into a technology recently written off. A group hoping to guide the future of Voice-over-IP envisions Fax-over-IP (FoIP) leading the way toward a seamless transition into the future.
As humorist Mark Twain might have said, reports of the death of fax are greatly exaggerated. With more than 100 million fax machines working away worldwide, the technology is far from taking its last breath.
Although sales of stand-alone fax machines have fallen off the radar for many, sales of all-in-one printers that include faxing capability grew 340 percent in 2007. Despite the increased use of e-mail and PDF, faxing remains an integral part of business communication.
"Fax remains as indispensable as paper, with fax the closest application to written communications," said Gartner analyst Tosh Prabhakar.
Gartner expects a mix of FoIP and the skyrocketing sales of all-in-one printers to spur an 80 percent growth of fax servers in enterprises. "Faxing over VoIP networks provides users with lower network management and maintenance costs by implementing fax, voice and data over a single joint network," wrote Prabhakar.
However, the transition to IP faxing has been stuck in neutral as companies navigate a patchwork quilt of differing standards governing fax transmission. The result can be frustrating as there is a high failure rate for faxes sent over IP networks.
Although many companies employ the latest faxing technology, carriers often use older methods, resulting in transmission performance akin to a Ferrari forced to travel cobblestone roads.
FoIP server market leaders include the French-based Sagem Interstar with 47.5 percent of the market and the Chicago, Ill.-headquartered Open Text controlling about 25 percent, according to researcher Peter Davidson.
In an ironic admission of the problem, the SIP Forum, a group that advocates for all-IP communications, keeps an analog phone line dedicated to faxing. Marc Robins, the organization's managing director, told Enterprise VoIPplanet he wouldn't consider using Skype or another VoIP network to send a fax.
Most voice communications traveling across IP networks are governed by the G.711 standard. This standard attempts to carry faxes inside VoIP packets.Although you can lose a few voice packets and your brain can still decipher the caller's message, faxing is not as forgiving. Like a person who drank too much coffee, faxes develop the "jitters."
If a fax machine doesn't understand the message, it will ask the sender to re-transmit, taking more time. At least 20 percent of single-page FoIP transmissions fail, according to Robins. The failure rate is even higher for longer faxes.
In 1998, the T.38 protocol was created, allowing faxes to be converted between an IP-centric business and the PTSN network.
"The problem with T.38 is how it is deployed, with several 'hops' in a FoIP call," Robins said. A fax may be transmitted by a T.38 gateway, travel across a PTSN network and finally reach a machine. Each stage introduces additional delay. And even if a T.38 fax could connect directly to a T.38 network, all T.38 implementations are not the same.
Robins described the FoIP landscape as "sort of like the Wild West. We need to reign in the industry a bit."
More than a dozen FoIP companies, including Cisco, Siemens Enterprise, and Dialogic, attended a November SIP Forum meeting, where a Fax over IP Interoperability workshop was created. A "Statement of Problem," to be released soon is seen by the SIP Forum as "the first stake in the ground" toward bringing together all the differing implementations of T.38.
While standalone fax machines are gathering dust, a combination of new regulations and update technology may save fax as an industry. Robins jokes that Washington, DC may get much of the credit for the second coming of fax. From patient privacy regulations such as HIPAA to the Sarbanes-Oxley accounting rules, many documents still must be faxed.
Although sales of single-purpose fax machines have fallen to the point where many large market research firms long ago stopped tracking their sales, the fax server industry will grow by 12.5 percent to $1.6 billion in 2012, according to Davidson Consulting.
However, the key may be developing a unified faxing protocol that allows carriers to keep their older technology but opens the way for IP to rejuvenate faxing. Such a move, including consolidating the millions of stand-alone fax machines into armies of FoIP servers, could cut corporate faxing costs in half, according to Gartner.

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Voice over Internet systems
Voice Over IP aka VOIP Voice-over-Internet protocol is a protocol for the transmission of voice through the Internet.

VoIP is often used to refer to the actual transmission of voice.
It is also referred to as IP telephony, Internet telephony, voice over broadband, broadband
telephony, and broadband phone. We have delivered innovative, cost-effective, and efficient Data, Voice connectivity for businesses of all sizes.
info@voip-atlanta.net
Voip-Atlanta
678-391-9136