The GotVoice Message Center is a downloadable Windows application that will automatically retrieve all of your voicemail from your computer’s desktop. After downloading the application, just click to open the setup wizard and follow the instructions to begin use.

Click Here for complete installation instructions.

FAQ and Troubleshooting

If I download the GotVoice Message Center, can I still check my voicemail from the web?

• Yes, the GotVoice Message Center works simply provides another convenient way to use GotVoice from your desktop.

Can I install GotVoice Message Center on more than one computer?

• Yes, the GotVoice Message center can be installed on as many computers as you’d like. Simply enter the email address you provided when you signed up for GotVoice and GotVoice will retrieve and deliver your voice messages to that email address.

Does it cost more to use the GotVoice Message Center.

• No, the Message Center is included as part of the GotVoice service. No additional charges apply.

Troubleshooting

My GotVoice Message Center Icon disappears when I log onto Windows.

This problem can be eliminated by follong these steps:

• Step 1: – Right click on the blue arrow located in the lower right hand corner of your Windows desktop. Select the “Properties” menu.
• Step 2: – Click on the “Customize” button located at the bottom of the taskbar and Start Menu Properties menu.
• Step 3: – Locate the GotVoice Icon in the Customize Notifications menu. Select the Always Show option. This will ensure that the GotVoice Message Center Icon is always visible in your Systems tray located in the lower right hand corner of your Windows desktop.

I get an error when I use the Got Voice Message Center.

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Cloud Computing for Idiots

In recent years, cloud computing has become a buzzword for a concept that is not technologically revolutionary. “Cloud” is essentially a marketing term for outsourcing data on remote servers. Instead of saving or storing your files on a local device, like your desktop or laptop, it is stored on the internet.

The main advantage is that you are able to access your data from any computer connected to the internet and sync it on multiple devices. The savings are numerous in terms of hard disk space, computer resources, time and money. With the cloud, users can freely access their documents without worrying about the device they use.

Examples of use

Cloud computing is available to everyone, from businesses to private individuals. It allows users to accomplish tasks that couldn’t be done before by preserving data when swapping devices.

Imagine that you start a project on your computer at work. With cloud computing, you can very simply deport that project and continue it from your laptop at home without the need to transfer any file or even download any software.

Fans of online games know this practice very well: they can start a game of Xbox Live on their Xbox console, and then continue to play it on their mobile phone. Apple’s iCloud service has taken the concept even further by allowing you to sync your files and media between all your Apple devices: take a picture on your iPhone, sync it with iCloud, and it will be on your iPad or MacBook the next time you use them.

Such services have been in use for quite some time already. This is how Deezer and Spotify make your music available anywhere from the same account, or how Gmail handles your mailbox no matter which device you check your mail from.

How safe is cloud computing?

Like any system, cloud computing has its weak points. Because it’s based on the web, the cloud shares the same risks and complications as the internet. Full access to its applications often requires a robust and stable internet connection. If your equipment is dated or you are in a low coverage area, you will be hard pressed to enjoy the real benefits of the cloud.

Safety is also a main concern and to understand that, we must first understand how cloud computing is built. It may be called cloud computing but the computing resources are very much on earth. They are located in giant data centers which can reach ten times the size of a football field and that house thousands of machines. These centers are built to the cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, which means that hosting them remains the prerogative of only a handful of corporations like Google, Microsoft, IBM or Amazon.

This infrastructure raises a string of safety issues. The company responsible for the service must protect your data to prevent any intrusion by malicious people, but it remains the user’s responsibility to encrypt their data in the first place. Similarly, since files can be shared between different data centers, it’s impossible to know where, and how remotely, they are stored physically.

Another issue is the lack of interoperability between services. This is the great irony of cloud computing: as simple as it is to access your file from any device or location, transferring your files from one cloud computing host to another is close to impossible due to the lack of technological standards in the industry.

The main security issue for individuals using cloud computing, especially in light of such recent developments as the revelations about the Prism surveillance program, is data confidentiality. A file stored on your computer would, in theory, only be seen by you, but a file stored in the cloud could become available to anyone who has the authority to request it.

The future of cloud computing

Cloud computing has been growing rapidly in the past couple of years. A convenience for individual users, it has also become an asset for businesses who can now outsource their IT resources and infrastructure. It has also become an environmental issue: by remotely storing data, the cloud has reduced the need for massive local infrastructure or computing usage. But to keep up with its increasing popularity, more data centers are needed, to the point where Greenpeace now estimates that their proliferation will soon contribute to the increase in greenhouse emissions.

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Conference calls are multi-functional: they enhance business productivity, maintain partnerships, improve assignment management, and engage with customers. Numerous PR and marketing departments use these meetings as an invaluable communications tool. With the advance of technology, these meetings can be scheduled on Skype or video sessions.

Not all conference calls do exactly what they are supposed to do. Some can be the source of blunders, poorly negotiated contracts, and errors. Here are some recommended tips that will help make conference calls productive, engaging, and efficient for all participants.

Have an Agenda

Conference calls should revolve around a central idea or agenda. This should be communicated to everyone before the meeting. Providing all participants with the right information about the agenda helps them plan out in advance and contribute effectively to the discussion. 

Each individual participating in the discussion must be familiar with the topic at hand, as well as the personnel with whom they are meeting. An introductory session should be held, so everyone can clearly introduce themselves. The best and simplest introduction is a name, title, and role.

Be on Time & Avoid Interruptions

Punctuality is important for any meeting, but this especially true for conference calls. All participating individuals in a meeting should arrive and be ready on time. This will prevent interruptions from a late arrival. If it can be accommodated, allow five to 10 minutes of casual discussion after the scheduled meeting date so attendees can arrive without interrupting anything too important. 

If meetings are scheduled over the phone or video, there is a risk that background noise can interrupt the discussion. These embarrassing revelations and noises can easily be avoided by pressing mute, relocating to a quieter place, or turning down the background volume. Distracting background noise can include dogs barking, crying children, personal conversations, and people chewing on food.

The rules of a conference call should be established, reviewed, and followed early. This prevents discussions from going off-topic. You can begin a meeting by providing an overview of the topics covered and ask any attendants for questions.

Do a Tech Run Beforehand

Conference calls now feature graphics or screen-sharing tools that display important information regarding the company and market. It is imperative to make sure all video systems and visuals are working correctly. Make sure the text is legible and the graphics are clear. Any video errors that occur can not only hurt the content of a meeting, but embarrass the hosts as well.

Glitches and interruptions during a meeting can happen. The best responses to these situations are to quickly maneuver through them. Even if a blue screen interrupts your Power Point, you can continue the discussion with backup documents. There may be late arrivals or beeps from a phone alert, but do not let them divert attention from the content of the meeting.

Include All Participants

Some participants may be more extroverted than others and want their voice to dominate. While the additional input and details they provide are welcome, these individuals can drag down meetings and even leave some participants out of the discussion. By respectfully asking them to slow down and allow others to contribute, the discussion can proceed smoothly. Be sure not to imply you are disagreeing with them as you are doing this.

If conference calls are held over a remote device or phone, you must consider the possibility of lost connections or dropped calls.  Use a reliable program such as Skype, which will prevent multiple lost connections if a call is dropped. In contrast, mobile phones have a high chance of lost connections, which can drop an entire meeting.

Conferences, whether they are carried the traditional or through technology, remain essential for the operations of numerous corporations, marketing agencies, and tech firms. The technical developments incorporated into meetings make them even more valuable and efficient. Even in the most established firms, technical and human errors can detract from the quality of a meeting. By following these preparations, you can ensure your company’s conferences will be optimized for productivity and efficiency.

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Deciding which of these services is ‘better’ is a subjective game, as the one that is going to be best for you is the one that suits the needs of your business. It should be stated right up front that comparing Skype to phone.com is not really an apples to apples comparison, as they do not offer exactly the same service. When dealing with Skype, you have a variety of messaging and video chat capabilities which are not seen on phone.com. Rather, phone.com is a way of integrating your phone system using the internet in order to be able to contact people all around the world with ease.

The Matter of Price

Anytime you make a decision for your business, cost is going to be one of the very first considerations that you have to make. Obviously, you want to keep costs as low as possible in your company, without sacrificing the necessary functions that you require to keep business running smoothly. To get started with phone.com, you will pay the modest price of just $9.99 per month. However, that plan will only net you 100 monthly minutes, which is obviously not much in the way of talk time if you are operating a busy company. Going up to the top of the scale, you can purchase 1,000 monthly minutes for a cost of $29.99, which might get closer to your needs. Of course, you can use the service for minutes beyond your plan, but you will pay a higher rate at that point.

By comparison, Skype for Business is priced on a monthly rate per user. The basic plan includes standard Skype services for just $2/month per user, and upgraded premium plans move up from there. Getting the best value for your money in this case is going to come down to your plans for the service, and how many users you will have. If you are looking for a basic VoIP system with a low entry price, one of the phone.com packages may be your best bet. On the other hand, a business with a  few users who will be communicating with a high volume might want to choose Skype for Business.

Variety of Features

On this point, you are going to find that Skype is the easy winner. Where phone.com does offer plenty of features in the world of voice calling, such as call forwarding, call waiting, conference calls, and more, it doesn’t live up to the menu that can be offered by Skype. When you opt for Skype for Business, you bring many additional possibilities to the table, such as one-on-one video calls, group video calls, find sending, and much more. If you are looking for more than you would be able to get from a traditional phone service, it is almost assured that you will want to stick with Skype.

Supported Devices and Languages

Again, this is another point where we see Skype pull away from the competition. When you use Skype, you can pick from a number of different supported devices to use, including Windows, Blackberry, iPhone/iPad, Android, and more. phone.com does support many of those same devices, however it does not work with Blackberry. Also, phone.com support only covers the USA, while Skype is an international service that can be accessed from just about any corner of the globe.

For most businesses, it is going to be Skype that is the natural choice on this topic. Sure, phone.com has plenty to offer in the right situation, and it may be a fit for your needs, but Skype for Business is the more-versatile product, which can also be more affordable depending on your subscription needs. Be sure to look at each in even greater detail before making your final choice, but expect to find that Skype for Business is the preferred option in the end.

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In this article, we are going to look at two of the possible directions you can go with your communications – Nextiva or Skype for Business. Each of these options are relatively popular, and while Skype has more name-recognition because of its popularity in non-business applications, Nextiva should not be quickly dismissed without a closer look.

Similar Across the Board – with One Exception

Anytime you compare two services that offer the same general capabilities, you are going to have to look at the details before you can settle on a winner. There isn’t going to be much between these two when it comes to basic features, because they offer the same basic service. If you need to communicate with people in a remote location on a regular basis, both Nextiva and Skype are going to do an effective job at handling that task. As long as you have a reliable internet connection, you should be able to count on either of these services to offer up consistent, clean communication with the person on the other end of the chat. Of course, with Skype, you will have the option of using video, which is something not available through Nextiva’s VoIP service. So, if video is necessary for your needs, you will have a pretty easy choice to make.

Pricing

When you start to look at pricing models, you will be able to begin to pull these two apart a bit in terms of which one will be right for you. It isn’t as simple as just picking out which one is ‘cheaper’, as there are various price levels depending on your needs. For Nextiva, you will be looking at a monthly subscription rate of $19.95 for the base-level service. If you would like to add on to that service by picking up other features – such as use of a mobile app – the price will climb slightly. At the top level of service, you will be paying $29.95 per month.

Turning our attention to Skype, we find a pricing model that is a bit more flexible, especially for smaller organizations or even freelance workers. At its most basic level, Skype is a free service if you are making simple voice or video calls. If you would like to add business-level capabilities like online meetings and secured communication lines, you will need to pay $2 per month/per user. Paying per user may be desirable if you only have a couple of people who need access to this service, but it obviously would not be as effective for a larger business. At higher subscription levels, you can roll your Office 365 membership into your Skype account, meaning you will have access to things like MS Ford and Excel in addition to Skype.

The Power of Popularity

One of the important points to consider in this debate is the ease-of-use of a communication systems for the person on the other end of the call. Who are you going to be communicating with on a regular basis? If you will only be chatting with those from within your company (who are located in another office, or perhaps in a home office), you don’t need to worry so much about the platform you pick. However, if you are going to be using online calling to talk with potential or current clients, ease-of-use and convenience is a key topic.

When that is the case, Skype is going to be the easy winner. You want to make your calls as easy as possible for everyone involved, and Skype is going to be the easiest to use simply because so many people already use it. When you plan a call or meeting over Skype, there is a good chance that most of the people involved will already know how to operate the application. Skype can be used on nearly every mobile device as well as through any web browser, so compatibility isn’t going to be an issue.

Overall, you can successfully meet your communications needs with both Skype and Nextiva. While Skype is going to be the winning choice for most businesses – especially those with small numbers of employees, Nextiva is a worthy contender that may be the right choice for bigger companies want to stay on budget.

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