VoIP for Law Firms: Constantly connected to the outside world

February 27, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

Note:  This is the first installment of a three part series aimed at how VoIP systems can help law firms.  Click here for Part II and Part III.

If you’re familiar with the capabilities of a well-built VoIP phone system, then you know exactly how an office environment can benefit from reduced costs and enhanced capabilities. That’s all fine and dandy, you figure. But what if your office environment isn’t like every other business?

What if you’re running a legal firm and you need to know that your clients’ phone calls are handled properly 100% of the time?

When communicating properly is your organization’s lifeblood, you can use an integrated solution like VoIP to keep you constantly connected to the outside world. In this blog series, you’ll find out that not only can law firms benefit from VoIP, but it’s really the only ideal choice for them to consider.

Let’s organize the argument a little and provide a point-by-point analysis of how your law firm could benefit from a VoIP system.

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BYOD Service Provider Advantages

February 25, 2012 by Garrett Smith

byod voip

A lot of us know that VoIP services come with a lot of advantages. You can pay low overhead for a variety of phone options – and a lot of extra phone time. But there’s something else that these service providers can give you that many of us forget about: they can let you Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).

What exactly is BYOD? Quite simply, it’s when you can use an already-existing device on your VoIP and SIP service, often resulting in a quick setup and a virtually nonexistent phone system transition period. Needless to say, this type of offering has a lot of advantages, for businesses as well as individuals.

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Unified Communications, Mobile Solutions from Switchvox and 3CX

February 22, 2012 by Garrett Smith

Note:  This is the 3rd installment in the Switchvox vs. 3CX series.  Click here for Part I and Part II.

Digium Small Biz Bundle For Switchvox

For most people, witnessing the advances in phone and voice technology has been all about mobile smartphones. It’s great that we have so many apps on our phones, that we can access the Internet at a moment’s notice, and that our phones are capable of doing so much more for us than they could even ten years ago.

But what about unified communications (UC) and mobile solutions together? How comprehensive has the technology really gotten? Let’s answer that question by looking at a few of the potential solutions you can use at your company from companies like Switchvox and 3CX, two of the top providers of VoIP solutions that will astound you.

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Switchvox vs. 3CX: Advantages and Disadvantages

February 20, 2012 by Garrett Smith

Note:  This is the 2nd installment in the Switchvox vs. 3CX series.  Click here for Part I.

Advantage_DisadvantageIn the world of VoIP, today’s businesses expect a lot of options. Phone conferencing, voice mail emails, call forwarding, software that has comprehensive reporting – it’s all expected as part of the regular package.

So if all of those solutions are considered standard in today’s industry, what exactly is going to set VoIP providers apart from the competition?

In the cases of Switchvox and 3CX, the answer is simple: a lot, actually. And yet these two VoIP solutions are not identical.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages that make these two companies different – and what that might mean for you and your business.

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Wireless Networking for VoIP

February 19, 2012 by Garrett Smith

What is a wireless VoIP network, and how can it help your business?

For the VoIP user, it’s just like making a regular phone call. VoIP access is much cheaper than traditional phone plans because VoIP service providers are using the existing infrastructure of the internet – they don’t have to build or maintain their own network of lines and towers.

A wireless VoIP network simply uses WiFi to access the internet. It’s a lot like setting up a wireless network in your house that you’d use with your laptop. In fact, companies like Cisco and Netgear that make networking devices for home networks also make VoIP devices. You might even be able to use your existing WiFi as your wireless VoIP network, depending on what you plan to use it for.

Advantages

The primary advantage of a wireless VoIP network is cost. Home users can save $50 or more on their phone bill by switching to VoIP. If you imagine that savings multiplied by dozens or hundreds of workers, it’s easy to see why many large businesses have set up their own wireless VoIP networks. The United States Social Security Administration uses VoIP in their field offices, making it one of the largest VoIP networks in the world.

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Switchvox vs. 3CX

February 17, 2012 by Garrett Smith

Too many small business owners hear the phrase “Voice over IP” or “VoIP” and instantly dismiss the idea as being too technical for them. But the truth is that VoIP hardware and software are not at all that difficult to use and can even make the entire experience of using a phone system more intuitive.

Of course, finding out just how intuitive they can be requires using them first.

Enter Switchvox and 3CX, two powerful services for VoIP that both offer comprehensive and yet distinct solutions for your business’ phone problems. In this series, we’ll take a look at what each of these services has to offer you – as well as their strengths and even weaknesses – and bring you up to date in the world of VoIP voice solutions.

Without any further ado, let’s get started.

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Guest Post: VoIP Supply Leader in Engaging and Motivating Employees

Note:  This is a guest post by Kyle Lagunas, HR Analyst at software selection resource Software Advice, who has recently written an article exploring creative benefits offerings that promote a culture of wellness, and go a long way to motivate, engage, and retain employees.

Featured in Lagunas’  full article on his HR blog, VoIP Supply is ahead of the game in offering benefits to engage and motivate employees with generous PTO programs, flexible schedules including work from home options, company funded disability insurance, and 401K benefits that exceed the norm.

However, as Lagunas points out below, there are simple things a company can do that will make a huge difference.  For example, why not leverage Unified Communications (UC) and VoIP technology to their full extent by allowing workers to remain connected whenever they choose or wherever they neeed to be?

Competitive Benefits Aren’t Special

Fact:  A standard package of health, dental and vision insurance, some paid vacation, a modest life insurance policy is not “competitive.”

Although attracting and retaining top talent continues to be a challenge for business leaders, most employers still boast of their competitive benefits offerings… which are really nothing special (“comparable,” even). And employers who continue to offer the same old benefits package will fall behind in attracting, motivating and retaining the best. 

Unified Communications Helps Balance Work & Personal Lives

Things I’ve noticed about myself since I started working from home...The lines between work and personal lives are blurring for many employees. They’re seeking balance between the two, and are finding value in the ability to choose the specific benefits that best meet their needs at this point in their lives.

And employers are learning that, when chosen and implemented effectively, however, benefits can demonstrate leadership’s concern for the well-being of employees, reinforce cultural values, and foster deeper employee engagement. 

According to James Berkeley, Director of Berkeley Burke International, however, there’s still a disconnect. “The decisions made regarding what benefits to offer are often based on subjective viewpoints, viewpoints that are far removed from the actual needs of employees.” Rather than assuming you know what your employees want, Berkeley suggests you ask them.

Though answers will vary, many people are interested in more benefits in specific areas – Healthy Living and Wellness, Flexible Work Options, and Commuting Relief Benefits—and perks you can afford (like VoIP Supply’s fully stocked kitchen).

Taking Spectralink to a Different Level- the Desktop

February 16, 2012 by Christina Smith

Why We Love Spectralink

What’s not to love… all the mobility of a cell phone in a secure VoWiFi handset that we can hang on a lanyard or clip onto our belt.  With the introduction of the Spectralink 8440  and Spectralink 8450 we have HD Voice, a color choice, and a cool user interface and even the ability to barcode scan right into our laptops.

Now the Spectralink WiFi phone by Polycom is even more verticalized for Healthcare and Manufacturing applications while still being perfect and slick looking for hospitality and retail.

Why We (I) Hate Spectralink

I  hate talking into a phone. Period. I hate holding a phone to my ear. It is cumbersome, I need my hands for doing my job, not holding my phone.

Sure I can use a wired or Bluetooth headset with my Spectralink handset, but what can I say, I am a Diva and I don’t want stuff hanging on my ears either. I want everything with none of the inconvenience.

For those times when I am not running through the hall or in the warehouse, Spectralink has a solution for me! FINALLY! The new Spectralink 8410 Speakerphone dock  is made specifically for the Spectralink 8440 and 8450 series handsets.  When you are not mobile, dock your Spectralink handset into the 8410 and speak handsfree with the crystal clear full duplex speakerphone featuring Polycom HD Voice clarity. spectralink_8410-small

So while it is great to have the mobility of the Spectralink at my fingertips when I need it, it is even better to have loud, easy, hands-free HD Voice at my desktop when I am working at my desk.

While I let my Spectralink dock in the 8410, it also charges it. There is also a slot to charge a spare battery, thereby replacing my dual charger.

The Spectralink 8410 speakerphone dock is a must-have accessory for anyone who is both desk-bound and mobile  and has the luxury of using a speakerphone when at their desk. Not everyone has that luxury, but if you do, this accessory can definitely take some of the love-hate dynamic out of your relationship with your Spectralink 8400 series handset.

Adventures in Cash-Flow Forecasting

February 9, 2012 by Nathan Miloszewski

Take an ambitious niche eCommerce retailer led by a creative and passionate entrepreneur, mix in a flighty economy and what do you get; a fun financial management environment that any Chief Financial Officer would enjoy, right?

Sageworks, the leader in the financial analysis of privately held companies, recently interviewed VoIP Supply CFO Paula Griffo about cash-flow forecasting challenges faced by a small, fast moving company. 

Griffo explained to Mary Ellen Biery, Sageworks Research Specialist, what has made VoIP Supply stand out financially including advice on how to avoid common errors and what she’s learned by keeping an ever evolving technology-based ship afloat.

For the full interview go to, CFO Corner:  Challenging cash-flow forecasts.

Via Sageworks Blog

First Look: New Digium Phones for Switchvox and Asterisk

February 2, 2012 by Christina Smith

What is it? 

Digium PhonesThe new Digium phones are High-Definition IP Phones designed by Digium specifically for Switchvox UC System and Asterisk-based phone systems. There are 3 phones in the series, the Digium D70, D50, and D40.

What does it do?

The Digium phones connect seemlessly to any Asterisk-based phone system, including Switchvox, Digium’s UC System.  When connected to an Asterisk Phone System, Digium Phones offer a user friendly calling experience complete with HD Voice Wideband and access to user created apps and call rules, directly from the phone.

Being created by Digium specifically for Asterisk, Digium phones may very well have the easiest plug and play of any IP Phone. Simply plug the Digium phone into the network and the phone will automatically discover the Asterisk server, identify the phone user, and start communicating.

Who is it for?

Digium phones are great for anyone using an Asterisk or Switchvox IP phone server.  For its initial launch, Digium released 3 models, the D70, D50, and D40 which suit different types of phone users.

Digium D70The Digium D70 being most feature rich is best suited for administrator or executives. This phone has 6 SIP lines, a 4.5in screen, and busy lamp indicators (BLF) for up to 100 contacts.  Perfect for someone who is watching employee phone time or doing many call transfers.  This model also is the only phone in the lineup with a dual Gigabit switched Ethernet ports.

Digium D50 PhoneThe D50 is a 4-line phone with 10 rapid dial keys with BLF. With a 3.5in backlit LCD screen and dual 10/100 switched ports, this phone is perfect for mid-level or call center employees.

 

Digium D40 Phone

The D40 is a budget friendly 2-line IP Phone with a 3.5in backlit LCD. With its dual 10/100 switched PoE Ethernet ports, full duplex speakerphone, and 4 feature keys as well as access to Advanced Phone applications through the context sensitive softkeys, this phone is a perfect fit for just about any light to medium phone traffic office worker.

 

Availability?

So here is the ugly part…. Now that we are all hyped up and ready to try these phones out, they will not be available for shipping until April 2012. You can place your preorders now, though and as soon as we get some, we will send them out to you!

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