VoIP Supply, Entrepreneurs Leading the Way in the New Economy

October 14, 2011 by Nathan Miloszewski

THRIVE! Magazine took the time to acknowledge innovative Western New York companies enhancing the community’s quality of life and adding value to customers:

“We selected a handful of companies both local and locally based, some small, some large that are making a difference. So be inspired that like you, there are people who care about our future as a city and region.”

VoIP Supply was selected as one such company and highlighted in Kyle Patterson’s article, “Innovation,” describing VoIP Supply CEO Ben Sayers’ serial entrepreneur process of capitalizing on emerging markets and creating a company culture that not only survived the economic downturn but thrives in the oft-maligned Buffalo-Niagara region:

“The last place I worked was terrible. I have always loved working. I want to have fun and everyone works better when it’s not a high pressure place. Work hard and play hard is kind of the deal,” said Sayers. In terms of developing further technology companies in our region Sayers says, “I don’t know if there are enough entrepreneurial leadership programs. I think people are afraid.” The solution, Sayers says, is adding more incubators and creating an environment where innovation thrives.

VoIP Supply would like to thank THRIVE! for the recognition by continuing to educate customers and remaining an example of Western New York success.

Affordable Do-It-Yourself Home Surveillance

Entry level IP cameras are dropping in price and are easier to install than you think.  Unlike webcams, IP cameras are standalone devices the don’t need a continuously running computer to allow them to operate.  Plus, you can access images from your IP camera anywhere, including mobile phones.

Nik Rawlinson of CNET writes “How to set up a cheap home security system using Dynamic DNS” and outlines, in great detail, the steps you’ll need to follow:

  1. Site your IP camera
  2. Sign up to free Dynamic DNS forwarding
  3. Set up your router

That’s all you need to start monitoring your cats from work.

Home IP Camera Suggestions

Here’s a few affordable indoor IP cameras that are great for home, office, or vacation home use.  Wired and wireless options are available on some models and these IP cameras can be controlled remotely, from a standard web browser wherever you are:

  • ACTi ACM-4201 ($266.00):  Supports two-way audio, hardware motion detection, megapixel imaging, and low light capability in a compact design.
  • Panasonic BL-C1A ($99.95):  Plug and Play Installation, built-In Web Server/IP address, 10x digital zoom, integrated Motion Sensor with E-mail alert, and 4-lux Night View mode.
  • Axis M1011-W ($179.00):  Ideal for securing locations such as small businesses, boutiques, restaurants, hotels or residences. These intuitive and dependable cameras offer best-in-class image quality and professional monitoring capabilities.

Via CNET UK

VoIP Supply Expands Sales Team, Improves Customer Experience

October 13, 2011 by Nathan Miloszewski

VoIP Supply is pleased to announce the addition of a new associate in October.

Courtney Hamp has been named as Senior Account Development Manager to educate customers and provide VoIP solutions.  Mr. Hamp joins VoIP Supply from AT&T Mobility as a National Account Executive and prior to that, he served as Installation Agent and District Trainer for the Geek Squad. 

 “VoIP Supply is very pleased to add a new member with a strong technological background,” said Ben Sayers, CEO of VoIP Supply. “VoIP Supply always looks to its new members for a fresh take on bringing customer experience to an even higher level.”

What Our Customers Want

Improving the customer experience at VoIP Supply is not a hollow gesture; it’s taken seriously and continually examined.  The best example of this comes from VoIP Supply’s CEO himself. 

In his post, What My Customers Want, Sayers explains that “VoIP Supply’s mindset is to communicate, always and excessively, both internally and externally.”  Going further he outlines how this is accomplished:

“Taking the time now to document, train and inspect will create much happier customers and a much more rewarding business experience. Talking to your customers, listening to their concerns and needs and acting immediately shows an understanding of the situation and the intent to correct it while preventing it.”

VoIP Supply CEO Shares Sage Advice With Entrepreneur’s StartUps Magazine

October 12, 2011 by Nathan Miloszewski

entrepreneur-startups-fall_2011Want to become your own boss?

Read Nancy Mann Jackson’s, How to Become Your Own Boss, in Entrepreneur’s StartUps Magazine for a nice primer on what you’ll need and experience on your journey to self-dependency.

VoIP Supply’s CEO Ben Sayers contributes his insight to the article by sharing some wise counsel he’s gleaned from his entrepreneurial experience.

How has Sayers and, in turn, VoIP Supply become successful?  By not only listening to expert advice but by embracing the experiences of those who’ve been there before.

Click here to read the full article.

Via Entrepreneur’s StartUps Magazine

Mobotix Installed as World’s Highest Webcam to View Mt. Everest

Mobotix’s Outdoor IP Cameras are made from a fiberglass-reinforced plastic that’s normally used to manufacture hard-wearing exterior car components. 

So it’s no surprise that a solar powered Mobotix M12 camera is now the world’s highest webcam at 18,514 feet (5,643 meters) on the Kala Patthar mountain.

Mobotix Outdoor IP Cameras are deployed in arctic and desert extremes with an operating temperature range of -22° F (-30° C) to over 140° F (60° C). And with a low power consumption, temperatures inside a Mobotix camera remain temperate resulting in a longer life span. 

Perched on the Kala Patthar mountain to provide high definition, megapixel views of Mount Everest, the world’s highest Mobotix IP camera is being used with the world’s highest weather station on Mount Everest as part of the Everest Share 2011 research project with hopes that the images taken will provide a window into climate change.

You can view the Everest Share images here .

If you’re wondering what would happen to the camera if there’s an avalanche or a boulder falls on it, ABP Technology shows us that Mobotix IP cameras have a knack for surviving vandalism, lightning strikes, and missle attacks

Mobotix Installed as World’s Highest Webcam to View Mt. Everest

Mobotix’s Outdoor IP Cameras are made from a fiberglass-reinforced plastic that’s normally used to manufacture hard-wearing exterior car components. 

So it’s no surprise that a solar powered Mobotix M12 camera is now the world’s highest webcam at 18,514 feet (5,643 meters) on the Kala Patthar mountain.

Mobotix Outdoor IP Cameras are deployed in arctic and desert extremes with an operating temperature range of -22° F (-30° C) to over 140° F (60° C). And with a low power consumption, temperatures inside a Mobotix camera remain temperate resulting in a longer life span. 

Perched on the Kala Patthar mountain to provide high definition, megapixel views of Mount Everest, the world’s highest Mobotix IP camera is being used with the world’s highest weather station on Mount Everest as part of the Everest Share 2011 research project with hopes that the images taken will provide a window into climate change.

You can view the Everest Share images here.

If you’re wondering what would happen to the camera if there’s an avalanche or a boulder falls on it, ABP Technology shows us that Mobotix IP cameras have a knack for surviving vandalism, lightning strikes, and missle attacks.
 

Best Mobile VoIP Apps

October 4, 2011 by Nathan Miloszewski

By using Wi-Fi to communicate on your phone you can save precious minutes on your calling plan and avoid additional fees.

Using your smartphone, tablet, or desktop phone’s internet connection  is a great inexpensive or free way to take advantage of a second phone line.

With improved latency, here are a few popular apps (for iPhone and Android) that make Wi-Fi calling practical:

(more…)

How to Waterproof a Dome IP Camera Installation

September 30, 2011 by Nathan Miloszewski

ACTi Dome IP Cameras have IP66 rated waterproof casings but, as ACTi points out, the cameras are only as waterproof as your installation.

Translation:  ACTi dome IP cameras can only guarantee weather imperviousness if both the camera and Ethernet cable are properly sealed off.

How to achieve watertight installation:

  • Employ waterproof junction box.
  • Use waterproof flex conduit to protect Ethernet cabling.
  • Mount flex conduit to camera using conduit gland / conduit fitting (not included with camera, sold separately).

ACTi dome IP cameras have a 3/4″ diameter side opening which you’ll need to know when purchasing the conduit gland/fitting.  The diameter of the conduit hose you want to use is up to you but it should obviously be wide enough to accomodate the head of the Ethernet cable.

Installation Guide

For more information on waterproofing your dome IP camera installation check out this article from ACTi, “Waterproof Installation of Dome Cameras,” that includes many helpful pictures and an explanation of how to deal with humidity during an install. 

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