Monday, May 31, 2010

Virtual Business Phone Software

Virtual PBX phone system software assists in phone call management for call center or business environments. This state-of-the-art PBX software functions as a feature-packed telephone exchange that connects extensions and telephone lines using advanced VoIP technology. Using software-based phone system can benefit a company or other organizations with all the standard PBX features and functionality easy handling of every call.

This virtual PBX system software can boast the following features:
  • Digital routing
  • Easy call management
  • Integration with VoIP or analog PSTN phones
  • Multiple extensions
  • Music on-hold
  • Predictive dialing
  • Standard PBX features (call transfer, hold, recording, etc.)
  • Video support
  • Voicemail inbox
  • Web interface
System requirements for software-based phone systems may vary depending on the operating system environment (Linux, MacOS, Unix, Windows) where it will be installed. The following can be the standard for a Windows-based PBX system:
  • Extension Devices – SIP standard VoIP, UDP signaling, individual extensions (IP phones, USB phones, etc.)
  • Server or Computer – network and broadband internet connection
Be aware that software can have free or trial versions intended for testing purposes before actually buying it. But, it can be limited in functionality, features or length of use, i.e., work for 1 phone line and can only utilize a limited number of extensions.

By simply installing PBX software on a PC, any business can employ a complete and scalable VoIP-based virtual PBX system. Moreover, it can also be used and combined with other telephony applications to meet any telecommunication requirements of a growing business.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

The Virtual Communication World

More people are now able to communicate in numerous ways because of the continuous advancement in information technology. The widely known feature of today’s information society is the mobility and flexibility of communication with the use of diverse form of multimedia based on picture, text, speech and video.

Beyond this innovative and colorful maze of standard communication there is another deviant form that is taking place – virtual communication. This form of imagined or unreal communication is composed of one or more fictive party. Through modern technology it enables a party to further express beliefs, intentions and values with simple actions or behaviors.

Information can be encountered in different shape and sizes. These instances are: computer generated messages; creations through collective cut and paste; or artificial faces and voices. These are some of the forms of expressions or messages in the virtual world that users interpret pragmatically in the same way as with human-to-human conversation.

With the use of modern IT, communication interfaces can be virtually controlled. And two of the opposing modes of control in use to an extent are the transmitter’s control and the receiver’s control. In the transmitter mode the appearance or expression is the primary concern of the user while in the receiver’s mode the control is how inbound information is filtered and presented.

At present, the use of virtual services is widespread in the business world. Businesses are venturing and taking advantage of this technological advancement to better serve the public. Law firms are one example wherein non legal services such as consulting, risk management and technology are being offered to their clients.

Keep in mind that in the virtual world processes can be done virtually and there are lots of opportunities for a business to grow.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Cloud-Based Phone System for the Business

Cloud-based computing, an internet metaphor based on the telephone network drawings, share resources (software, data and other information) to computers and other devices in the same manner as the electricity grid delivers electricity to consumers. Cloud computing describes a new delivery method and supplement for providing scalable and virtualized resources as internet-based services. Providers typically deliver their services, stored on their servers, via the internet, which subscribers can access with the use of software or web applications.

Telecommunication providers have taken advantage of this new delivery method by applying it to their business phone system.  In the past, traditional PBX phone system costs a lot to setup and maintain. With cloud-based computing, the requirement to purchase expensive communication hardware, perform tedious installation, and providing technical expertise, have been eliminated. Aside from this, enables the provider to lower down the monthly fees incurred on their subscribers. This in turn allows subscribers to acquire a cost-effective system and still get the flexibility of a phone system to easily connect with their customers.

A cloud-based phone system includes four components:
  1. A complete hosted phone and fax system that offers multiple extensions, voicemail, call forwarding, call controller, internet fax, toll free number, call management and many more.
  2. Unlimited long distance calling and toll free services.
  3. Ready to use pre-configured IP phones.
  4. All inclusive, low, flat and fixed simple monthly pricing models.
With cloud computing, businesses can readily have a telecommunication system that can be instantly activated, easily set up and a self-service solution which was previously unaffordable. With the buying complexities removed, small businesses can now use a world class phone system.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Why a Virtual PBX is better than a Traditional PBX

To achieve the communication goal of connecting departments, employees and other important business contacts, the quickest and fastest way requires the use of a private branch exchange or PBX. Businesses have seen the importance of this phone system as an essential communication tool.

How this helpful PBX phone system works? It works by connecting various communication devices or equipments of a company such as telephones, fax machines and modems as a physical extension to the main business number. With the use of a single number, the cost of using too many phone lines can then be eliminated.

With growing demands and increasing popularity, it has become a comprehensive business communication solution for managing calls. As more features are being incorporated, and the technology of the internet and telecommunication being merged, the traditional PBX has evolved into a virtual PBX system. This phone system, also known as a hosted service, eliminates the use of physical lines and wires. It uses the internet, instead, to connect phones as extensions virtually.

Virtual phone systems can efficiently work with many businesses because it does not require the purchase of expensive and bulky communication hardware. Everything resides on the hosting provider’s premise. Meaning, all the business has to do is to plug-in the pre-configured IP phones supplied by the provider or other existing communication tools such as mobile phones, emails and office telephones.

This type of phone system provides the business with an affordable communication system because a call from the internet is cheaper than a call from the traditional phone line. Moreover, it is easier to manage since the system can be accessed via the online command center.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Get a Toll Free Number to Better Serve Customers

A business can always offer promotions, sales and discounts to attract many customers and increase sales. But when these offers expire, businesses are no longer assured of long term success not unless it can retain or increase their number of customers.  In order to bring customers back; the use of a good customer service is sometimes very necessary. Offering customer service enhances the satisfaction level of consumers. A satisfied customer will definitely pass along positive feedback to other consumers who may patronize the services or products themselves.

One way to provide better service to customers is by acquiring a toll free phone number. When companies get a toll free number they allow their customers to easily reach the business for free. With free calling, a business will expect huge volume of calls that can overwhelm its campaign and often lead to unanswered or unattended calls. This in turn can turn off callers. But this can be easily prevented by coupling an 800 service with helpful features.

A feature, like the auto-attendant, will be helpful in automatically answering calls and redirecting the caller to the appropriate extension. While some callers may not be comfortable with an automated recording, a business can hire a live receptionist as an alternative to this feature. Whether automated or not, it is important for a business that somebody is answering the phones.

Another useful 800 feature is the click-to-call me. Many consumers are now getting online to make a purchase or get more information about a product or service. With the click-to-call me feature, the company can provide a link on a page that the visitor can click in order to connect to the business automatically.

More calls mean an increase in potential sales and orders. The 800 services can help companies boost productivity and build better customer relationship.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Communicate with Ease: Use Business Phone System PBX

When it comes to communication lines, business owners always want the best for their offices. With Business Phone System PBX, business owners found a greater choice.
    Compared to ordinary business phones, small business phone system is a unique office phone system that integrates phone lines and synchronizes extensions all in one device. It can set up call routing and call forwarding while using only one phone number. Customers need not to remember many business phone numbers at all.
    With its easy-to-use integrated phone system combined with a user-friendly interface, business owners can rely to this intelligently designed business phone system to suit their essential office needs.
    With business phone system pbx, setting up calls is easy. Customers can call anytime and anywhere. Business owners need not be in their offices just to answer a call. With business phone system, providing full and excellent customer support is finally attained.
    Furthermore, small business phone system is reasonably priced. Not too cheap but its definitely worth the cost. Integrated with great phone system features, business phone system can communicate more better with customers and team members.
    Small business phone system gives more clear phone calls. It is a system that can handle high communication volume and can accommodate more calls. Every business owner is guaranteed with larger coverage calls without compromising call quality and performance.
    Finally, with business phone system pbx, business owners have found the perfect communication solution for every office needs. Business phone system is definitely of high-quality performance with an easy-to-use interface at a very reasonable cost!

Friday, May 7, 2010

How a Caller ID Feature Works?

With a caller ID feature, a user is able to see caller information on the telephone display or on an attached caller ID box. It is usually available on most digital, VoIP and on some analog phone systems. This feature is a telephone service that transmits caller information like name and number to called party’s device.

The process of sending caller ID information to the other end of the line is quite simple. Telecommunication providers use the FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) technique, similar technique used on baud modems, to send ASCII data over a telephone line to the called party’s device display. FSK sends data by changing tone or frequency (that represents data bit 1 or 0). So, when a caller dials a number the data is sent between the first and second telephone ring. On some telephone or caller display box there is an audible half-a-second bleep sound that, when decoded, contains the caller ID information: type and length of message; time and date of the call; the phone number; and a checksum byte for making sure that the data received is complete.

Other caller ID systems, found on some toll free service, use advanced techniques, similar to FSK, but transmit data as an 8-ASCII character preceded by a start bit 0 and then followed by stop bit 1. With a circuit, a ring signal is detected and the bits are decoded using the modem contained on the telephone or caller ID box. The display is then handled by a simple processor. This technique enables the caller ID to display more caller information such as the caller name, number being called, location, date, time, etc.

Caller ID is a very useful telephony feature for tracking down unwanted callers, telemarketers and prank callers.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Environment Friendly Internet Fax Machine

The fax machine is slowly losing its importance in today’s mobile and internet technology. And, with every country’s campaign in saving the environment, the fax machine has been labeled as non-eco friendly because it is known that this device consumes and wastes some office resources.

Paper is one of the necessities this machine requires because the sending and receiving of facsimiles involves the use of this material. Depending on the type of the machine being used, a successful fax transmission usually prints the document as an image on paper with the use of carbon, ink or toner. That’s not all; a fax machine needs to be connected to a phone line and powered on all the time in order to receive faxes.

With an internet fax machine the cost of an extra machine, paper, ink, electricity and phone bills are eliminated. All it need is an internet faxing service, an email account and any device with an online capability. Since facsimiles are sent via email, soft copies can be easily stored and distributed without the need to print them. Therefore, it helps in saving heaps of paper which in turn prevents the cutting of more trees to produce them.

Moreover, fax over internet is much secure when compared to a traditional fax machine. Sending a fax via email ensures that only the receiver has access to the document unlike its predecessor wherein a transmitted fax allows anyone to take a glimpse of it.

With all of the above mentioned necessities required by a traditional fax machine, there is no compelling reason to use this uneconomical device.