Archive for the ‘Hardware’ Category

Business Telephone Systems – Guidelines For Buyers

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

When it comes to buying a new telephone system for your business there are a number of things you need to factor in to your decision, these are:

Capacity – For a business that is growing you will want to ensure you have the capacity in your telephone system to cover any future growth. The majority of telephone systems can cover 12 incoming lines and 24 extensions at their limit. For a small entry level telephone system you need to bear in mind that the parts will not be transferable to larger models, with this in mind you need to make sure the system you buy will be able to grow with your business.

Direct Lines – The second thing to consider is how many direct lines you will want. If you want direct lines that allow direct dialing, the display of caller ID and the feature of displaying the number no matter which line you pick up on or where it has been transferred from, you need to get a system compatible with ISDN, which is a service most countries are able to provide.

Voicemail – You need to decide if you want a voicemail function for your telephones, applicable to each individual handset. A voicemail option will often be available if you have direct lines but you will need to decide on certain aspects of it, such as the amount of messages that can be stored and whether you want the ability to forward messages to other phones or as emails.

The Handset – This should go without saying, but when you upgrade your telephone system you will need to get new telephone handsets. The handsets you choose should be right for the type of use you expect to get out of them. You will be offered basic handsets but will have the option to spend a little bit more to upgrade and get handsets that have more features, better build quality and will look better. You may not think it is worth the money but in the end you will be relying on these phones for some time and so it may be worth spending more money to get better quality phones.

Installation – Once you have decided what system you wish to go for, all that is left is to have it installed. The company you buy the system from will doubtless offer an installation service but they may not necessarily be the best option. You can get a different service to install the system if you wish who may be more adept at installing it to your requirements. There is no point spending money on a new telephone system only to have it installed in a half hearted manner. Ensuring it is installed properly and that the connections create a high quality line to talk on is important.

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Business Telephone Systems – What Are Your Options?

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

There are four main types of business telephone systems – voice over internet protocol (VOIP), key telephone systems, private branch exchange telephone systems (PBX) and KSU-less telephone systems. All these provide the basic need of most businesses i.e. to communicate with clients anywhere in the world on a high quality line. For businesses who need more than that, it is worth knowing more about the characteristics of each of them…

Private Branch Exchange Telephone Systems (PBX) – Unlike other telephone systems, this one is compact and flexible. It has more features than the other options and is easier to upgrade and to customize according to your needs. It can hold over fifty extensions and so is a good choice for large companies. However, as this system is the most advanced and provides the biggest capacity, it is the most expensive one.

Key Telephone Systems – The fact that this telephone system is well priced and easy to set-up means that it is a popular choice. It is ideal for businesses with between ten and fifty employees. Though it can cope with more than fifty extensions, that is not really what it was designed for, however, it is not difficult to combine it with a PBX system if you buy this system and later take more employees.

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) – This system is both the cheapest and the easiest to set-up. Unfortunately, it also the most basic of the four types of telephone systems and many of the features found on other systems are not available on this system. For businesses with just a few employees, and especially businesses who need to keep costs down to an absolute minimum, it is the best option.

KSU-Less Telephone Systems – This telephone system is suitable for businesses with ten or fewer employees. It is cost-effective, easy to install and not difficult to move from office to another if you have to relocate. Another benefit is that it is highly customizable, so you can have it set-up in pretty much any way that you choose. The disadvantage of this system is that it if you need to upgrade it is quite expensive to do.

So, which telephone system is right for you is dependent on the size of your business and your budget. Prices will vary so it always pays to shop around. You can normally get the best deals by looking online, so that should be your starting point. You should be wary of only basing your decision on price though, as some telephone system manufacturers / service providers are much better than others. Trying to find some reviews from past customers is advisable.

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PBX And Phone Systems

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

PBX and Phone Systems are essentially the same thing. PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange and it refers to a telephone exchange, or phone system, that serves a business or office, as opposed to a telephone company that services multiple business or offices. PBX is also known by other names such as, PABX-Private Automatic Branch Exchange, and EPABX-Electronic Private Automatic Branch Exchange.

Today, with the internet, there is a new type of phone system added to the mix, the Hosted PBX also referred to a Virtual PBX. The hosting company connects the system up for the business, home, or office and provides all the same features and more that a physically installed PBX telephone system would offer. With a hosted pbx there are plenty of benefits to the consumer, namely it is very affordable, set-up is instant, there’s no physical installation necessary, and the system can grow as the business grows.

The term PBX was used in it’s early years as a term to describe a switchboard operator, however PBX and phone systems have dramatically advanced over the years. Telephone systems went from Key Systems, where the user would press an individual phone line or extension on the actual phone to access the call, to full blown installed PBX systems where a central operator transfers calls that come in to their appropriate extensions. Both of these systems exist today, however, as the saying goes, “the one thing you can count on is change”, and yes, PBX and Phone Systems are changing to include the internet.

VoIP means Voice Over Internet Protocol and the Hosted PBX also includes VoIP phones also called an IP-PBX or an IPBX. Most PBX systems today support VoIP. The Hosted PBX of course supports VoIP as the digital aspect of this system and hosted online is meant to include remote extensions, known as VoIP phones. Phone Systems and the PBX, one in the same, have grown to accommodate businesses big and small today.

By Barbara Cipak, My-Telework-Tools.com

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Home PBX

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

The PBX (Private Branch Exchange) Telephone System is no longer a telecommunications choice just for large companies. Numerous smaller companies, and sole proprietors are finding the Home PBX a tool that enables them to compete with their larger counterparts.

The Telework Research Network’s survey data indicates that approximately 3 million people in the US workforce consider home their primary place of work. Staying competitive means staying in touch and that doesn’t have to break the bank. Where the standard office telephone system used to be a  huge investment for a business, the home pbx system has stepped onto the scene making it possible for businesses from no employees, to numerous employees, to be remotely connected from anywhere at extremely affordable rates. In fact, the home pbx can compete price wise with the cost of having a cell phone.

According to the Telework Research Network’s data, in the USA approximately 20 to 30 million people work from home at least one day per week, and 10 to 15 million people run a home based business full time. These statistics are on the rise, and corporations are beginning to promote telecommuting options to their employees as well. With the virtual home pbx connecting to work, being at home does not necessarily equate to not being at work. Telecommuting and stafff retention have become synonomous, and as per the 2008 Robert Haff International Survey, 29% of USA companies have begun to incorporate Telecommuting as an option to staff. Virtual extensions can be directed to an employees home via virtual extensions with the virtual pbx being the tool of choice for businesses to keep their staff connected.

Whether a large company, or a one person operation, the type of connection to the home based PBX is up to the user. Users of this PBX may choose forwarding of calls to their home, a physical VoIP telephone at home, or simply use the online call management system to monitor and manage telephone calls.

Another very interesting teleworking statistic reported by the Robert Haff Survey, indicated that people from “Generation Y” are difficult to recruit and keep, primarily due to their seeking out flexible work arrangements. This new trend is  forcing the more progressive companies to re-think their rigid hourly work structures of the past. However, today’s world demands affordable ways to compete and certainly the home pbx can resolve the remote connection issues without having to spend ridiculous amounts of money.

By Barbara Cipak, My-Telework-Tools.com

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Toll Free Numbers for Companies

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Projecting a larger corporate image could be as easy as giving customers a toll free number. Connecting toll free numbers for companies isn’t the complicated expensive venture it used to be decades ago. Companies can get their toll free number by using an online service and in doing so gain access to multiple other features that come with that toll free number. All of this for a monthly fee starting as low as $9.99 per month.

Businesses who provide a toll free number to their clients, make it more likely that customers will call. By utilizing an online service to do this, the toll free number is activated immediately and comes with total advanced phone and fax features providing the functionality of a full PBX. Companies can choose from 800, 888, 877, 866 or even Vanity Numbers. Selection of the toll free number is completed before the registration, that way companies can ensure they’re getting the toll free or vanity number they actually want.

Add as many toll free numbers as needed, meaning your phone lines can grow with your business. You can provide additional toll free or local numbers to employees, departments, branches, or establish a dedicated fax number.  No matter how you set this up, all numbers are linked and managed through one online call controller accessible from anywhere in the world.

Your companies toll free number will come with a full online call manager, giving you the ability to react to calls in real-time along with a click-to-call feature and the ability to automatically route callers based on who they are and when they’re calling. With your company toll free number, you also get custom music on hold, a dial-by-name directory, an award-winning fax service and more. Use your toll free number along with multiple extensions and an auto-attendant to give the company switchboard capabilities.

Companies can take a trial run. Find more information about toll free numbers for companies, individual professionals, and small businesses at My-Telework-Tools.com.

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7 Easy Steps to Secure Your Wireless Router

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008
wireless router
When you buy a wireless router it is not secure and its default configuration will allow unwanted users that are in the vicinity of your router to connect to the internet and “steal” your wireless router internet connection. They could also gain access to your PC and steal files and folders of data. Manufacturers leave the configuration “open” so that the user can easily set up the router and get it up and running quickly. However, there is a risk if the router is not secure.

Accessing Your Wireless Router’s Configuration

To gain access to your wireless router settings and configuration menu then connect to the router either wirelessly or via a Ethernet cable. Open a web browser and type either:

http://192.168.1.1 or

http://192.168.2.1

1) Change Admin password

Most wireless routers ship with a blank password. It is essential that this is changed else a potential hacker could get into your router configuration and lock you out of your own hardware.

2) Change The Network Name (otherwise known as the SSID)

The default network name is usually made up of the name/model of your wireless router. This information gives a head start for a hacker and makes it easier for them to break into your network. Don’t rename it to something like your surname or house name as this unnecessarily exposes personal information. Rename it to an alpha-numeric string – this can be up to 32 characters long.

3) Turn off SSID broadcasting

By default, a wireless router’s SSID is broadcast so anyone in the vicinity of your wireless router can see that it. SSID broadcasting can be turned off thus making your wireless router virtually invisible.

4) Enabling Encryption

This is switched off by default. There is a choice of WEP, WPA and WPA2. Currently the latest encryption method is WPA2 so use this where possible. Both your wireless router and wireless PC adaptor must be configured to use the same encryption.

5) Mac Address Control

All hardware has a unique MAC address associated with it, including your PC adaptor card. This MAC address can be added to access control list in the wireless router. Only devices added to the router’s access control list are allowed to be connected.

6) Update router firmware

It is recommended that the latest router firmware is downloaded from the manufacturer’s website and installed in the router. This will hopefully fix any bugs that have been found for your router and also help with any known security flaws in the router itself.

7) Backup settings

Finally, backup all router settings. If you reset the router back to its factory default settings for whatever reason, your configuration can later be easily and quickly restored back into the router.

By: Andyj00

About the Author:

Andy Jones is a technology expert with a broad range of hardware and software skills. To read more tips and techniques like the ones in this article, go to: http://www.setupwirelessrouter.com

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