Cisco SPA525G2 with 32 button sidecar

One of the best selling phones for the small and medium business (SMB) market is the Cisco SPA525G2 phone. The entire series of SPA phones are affordable, reliable and well suited to SMB use, but the 525 G2 is the current big daddy with its color display, ability to play MP3s from a memory stick, sync to your cell phone via bluetooth, built-in bluetooth for wireless headset usage and so much more.

On every system we sell that includes the SPA 525, we get a few questions like, ‘How do you answer another extension?”, and of course we answer it, but, with such a long list of these “star codes”, I can’t remember them myself.

Cisco Star Codes for SPA525G2 Phones:

• Call Return (*69)—Calls the last caller, regardless which extension.
• Blind Transfer (*98)—Allows the user to transfer a call to another number  without waiting for the other party to pick up.
• Call Back Act (*66)—Periodically redials the last busy number (every 30  seconds by default) until it rings or until the attempt expires (30 min by default), regardless which extension. Only one call back operation can be ordered at a time. A new order automatically cancels the previous order.
• Call Back Deact (*86)—Cancels the last call back operation.
• Call Forward All Act (*72)—Call forwards all inbound calls. Applies to primary extension only.
• Call Forward All Deact (*73)—Cancels call forward all. Applies to primary extension only.
• Call Forward Busy Act (*90)—Call forwards on busy. Applies to primary extension only.
• Call Forward Busy Deact (*91)—Cancels call forward on busy. Applies to primary extension only.
• Call Forward No Answer Act (*92)—Call forwards if no answer. Applies to primary extension only.
• Call Forward No Answer Deact (*93)—Cancels call forward no answer. Applies to primary extension only.
• CW Act (*56)—Enables call waiting. For example, if call waiting is turned off globally, this star code will turn on call waiting until the CW Deact code is entered.
• CW Deact (*57)—Deactivates call waiting. For example, if call waiting is turned on globally, this star code deactivates call waiting until the CW Act code is entered.
• CW Per Call Act (*71)—Enables call waiting for a single call. For example, if  call waiting is turned off globally, this star code will turn on call waiting for that call.
• CW Per Call Deact (*70)—Deactivates call waiting for a single call. For example, if call waiting is turned on globally, this star code deactivates call waiting for that call.
• Block CID Act (*67)—Blocks caller ID on all outbound calls. Applies to all extensions.
• Block CID Deact (*68)—Deactivates caller ID blocking on outbound calls. Applies to all extensions.
• Block CID Per Call (*81)—Blocks caller ID on the next outbound call (on the current call appearance only).
• Block CID Per Call Deact (*82)—Deactivates caller ID blocking on the next outbound call (on the current call appearance only).
• Block ANC Act—Blocks anonymous calls. Applies to all extensions.
• Block ANC Deact—Deactivates anonymous call blocking. Applies to all  extensions.
• DND Act (*78)—Activates Do Not Disturb. Applies to all extensions.
• DND Deact (*79)—Deactivates Do Not Disturb. Applies to all extensions.
• Secure All Call Act (*16)—Defaults to prefer to use encrypted media (voice codecs).
• Secure No Call Act (*17)—Defaults to prefer to use unencrypted media for all outbound calls. Applies to all extensions.
• Secure One Call Act (*18)—Prefers to use encrypted media for the outbound call (on this call appearance only).
• Secure One Call Deact (*19)—Prefers to use unencrypted media for the outbound call (on this call appearance only).
• Paging (*96)—Pages the number called.
• Call Park (*38)—Parks a call on an entered line number.
• Call UnPark Code (*39)—Retrieves a call from an entered line number.
• Call Pickup (*36)—Picks up a call at an entered extension.
• Group Call Pickup (*37)—Picks up a ringing call at a group of extensions.
• Media Loopback Code (*03)—A service provider can set up a test call from an IP media loopback server (the source) to a subscriber’s VoIP device (the mirror). The test call provides statistical reporting on network performance  and audio quality.

Depending on the source’s capabilities, the SP can see packet jitter, loss, and delay (although Media Loopback cannot identify an offending hop). This helps the SP identify an offending hop that could be causing issues in VoIP calls to a subscriber. The test results can also provide audio quality scoring, which lets a SP better understand the subscriber’s experience.

Referral Services Codes—One or more * codes can be configured into this parameter, such as *98, or *97|*98|*123, and so on. The maximum total length is 79 characters.
This parameter applies when the user places the current call on hold (by Hook Flash) and is listening to second dial tone. Each * code (and the following valid target number according to current dial plan) entered on the second dial-tone triggers the Cisco IP phone to perform a blind transfer to a target number that is prepended by the service * code. For example:
a. After the user dials *98, the Cisco IP phone plays a special prompt tone while waiting for the user the enter a target number (which is validated according to the dial plan as in normal dialing).
b. When a complete number is entered, the Cisco IP phone sends a blind REFER  to the holding party with the Refer-To target equals to *98 target_number. This  feature allows the Cisco IP phone to hand off a call to an application server to perform further processing, such as call park. The * codes should not conflict with any of the other vertical service codes internally processed by the Cisco IP phone. You can delete any * code that you do  not want the call server to process.

Feature Dial Services Codes: Tells the Cisco IP phone what to do when the user is  listening to the first or second dial tone.
You can configure one or more * codes into this parameter, such as *72, or *72|*74|*67|*82, and so on. The maximum total length is 79 characters. When the user has a dial tone (first or second dial tone), they can enter a * code (and the  following target number according to current dial plan) to trigger the Cisco IP phone to call the target number prepended by the * code. For example:
a. After the user dials *72, the Cisco IP phone plays a special prompt tone while waiting for the user the enter a target number (which is validated according to the dial plan as in normal dialing).
b. When a complete number is entered, the Cisco IP phone sends an INVITE to *72 target_number as in a normal call. This feature allows the proxy to process features such as call forward (*72) or BLock Caller ID (*67).
You can add a parameter to each * code in Features Dial Services Codes to indicate what tone to play after the * code is entered, such as *72‘c‘|*67‘p‘.

Following is a list of allowed dial tone parameters (note the use of back quotes surrounding the parameter without spaces).

•  ‘c‘ = Cfwd dial tone
•  ‘d‘ = Dial tone
•  ‘m‘ = MWI dial tone
•  ‘o‘ = Outside dial tone
•  ‘p‘ = Prompt dial tone
•  ‘s‘ = Second dial tone
•  ‘x‘ = No tones are place, x is any digit not used above

If no tone parameter is specified, the Cisco IP phone plays the prompt tone by default.
If the * code is not to be followed by a phone number, such as *73 to cancel call forwarding, do not include it in this parameter. In that case, add that * code in the dial plan.

Homeland Secure IT is happy to be a Cisco SMB Select Partner! If we can provide your business VoIP support in the Greenville / Upstate, SC area, please call upon us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com

Copyrights & Wrongs

You’ve got a great phone system (hopefully you have moved up to a Voice over IP phone system by now!) and you want to use all the great features of it.

One feature that is common to (most) all VoIP systems is that you can use Music On Hold (MOH) which gives the poor caller who gets placed on hold something to listen to other than dead air, or beep, or, God forbid, constant ringing like I got the other day for 2 minutes solid when calling a very large vendor for support.  RING RING RING AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

The trend for the last few years has been to get voice talent to record promotional messages, combined with music that makes the time spent on hold for the client productive. A large number of sales have been made due to a promotional message telling a holding client about services or sales specials offered. I guess the impulse buyers hear, “Did you know we offer Microsoft Licensing?” and immediately place an order for 1000 seats of Microsoft Office 2010 or something. Hmmm, maybe we should do that here at Homeland?

The costs of having these messages produced vary from 5 dollars (if you want an Indian accent) to thousands of dollars, with the average falling at about 500 dollars for high quality, professional voice talent and music to be provided.

Some businesses have gone the extreme budget route and recorded their own messages, complete with lots of “uhhhs” and the like and plenty of background noise.

A smaller organization may just want to plug in a radio to the MOH port on the phone system and let that play, or maybe use their iPod or other MP3 player to put on their favorite tunes. I mean, let’s get real here, if you like Adele and Rhianna, your clients should love it to!

There’s a slight problem with that. Okay, not so slight; You are using unlicensed music which could result in law suits and fines…

The music that you own already, which you purchased off of iTunes or Amazon, or even own the vinyl record that you converted over to an MP3, is not your’s for public performance. Confused? Me too! Basically, there is a difference between owning the right to play that music for yourself, and the right to play it for others to hear.

So what’s a soul to do in order to provide entertainment on hold in the form of music?

• You could find “royalty free” music, but be warned, it won’t keep a licensing organization from coming after you. You could STILL get a letter to cease the use of that music with the threat of lawsuit or fines if they believe it is owned by them. Make sure you can backup the fact that the music is in the public domain, the person/group performing it do not have a copyright on it and that it is not just released for listening or performance, that it has no “mechanical copyright” on it which would prohibit you from using it in the manner you wish to use it.
• There are licensing entities such as ASCAP and BMI which you can pay in order to use the music which you want to play. You can license a single song in some cases, or get a blanket license to use anything from their repertoire.
• There are “music on hold” providers, which take care of all the licensing for you (be careful here, there are some shady ones). These are the ones who will give you professional voice talent if you want that, along with a genre of music that is appealing to your callers, hopefully.
• You could find a local musician who writes and produces their own original content and tell them you would like to showcase their talent on your on-hold system. Get it in writing that they are giving you permission to use their original music for a set time, and what the cost is. It may be free!

I am sure I have overlooked something as I am no expert in this field. But, this may be give you an idea of what you are up against regarding Music On Hold.

Myself, I am sad I can’t use a loop of Sugarloaf’s “Don’t Call us, We’ll Call you” to play to telemarketers….

If you do decide to hire a professional voice artist in the Greenville / Upstate area, please email me and I may be able to point you in the right direction.

Homeland SECURE IT Achieves Select Certification from Cisco

Greenville, SC, November 1, 2011:  Homeland Secure IT announced today that it has achieved Select Certification from Cisco. The Select Certification recognizes Cisco® resale channel partners that focus on meeting the technology and service needs of small businesses.

Cisco’s portfolio of both Small Business and Small Business Professional Series products directly complement and enhance Homeland Secure IT’s Systems Design, Sales, Installation and Support of end-to-end communications and physical networks.

Cisco Select Certified

“The Cisco Select Certification was created in response to customer demand for channel partners capable of designing and implementing Cisco solutions purpose-built for small businesses,” said Andrew Sage, vice president of Worldwide Small Business Sales at Cisco. “With the Select Certification, Homeland Secure IT has made an investment in obtaining the training, skills and knowledge necessary to play a pivotal role in meeting this growing demand.”

To earn Select Certification, Homeland Secure IT fulfilled the training and exam requirements for the Cisco Small Business Specialization.  Homeland Secure IT also met the personnel, training and post-sales support requirements set forth by Cisco.

The Cisco Resale Channel Program provides a framework for channel partners to build the sales, technical and Cisco Lifecycle Services skills required to deliver Cisco solutions to end customers. Through the program’s specializations and certifications, Cisco recognizes a channel partner’s expertise in deploying solutions based on Cisco advanced technologies and services. Using a third-party audit process, the program validates channel partner qualifications such as technology skills, business best practices, customer satisfaction, and presales and post-sales support capabilities — critical factors for customers choosing a trusted channel partner.

About Homeland Secure IT

Homeland Secure IT is headquartered in Greenville, SC, and serves Greenville and the Upstate of South Carolina.  Our goal is to deliver seamless design, implementation, and support to customers requiring both simple and sophisticated communications solutions.

• Unified Communications (VoIP)
• Wireless (WLAN)
• Video Surveillance
• Storage Solutions (NAS, SAN)
• Backup and Disaster Recovery
• Security (Firewall, A/V)
• Switching

For more information about this topic or to schedule meeting with our design and engineering team, please call 864-990-4748 or visit our website at http://www.HomelandSecureIT.com

Whatever you do - Don't panic... Okay, maybe just a little!

Yesterday I wrote about the hard drive shortage due to the flooding in Thailand (here)…

At the time, we were not actually feeling the affects, however, 24hrs later, we sure are!

The same terabyte SATA drives which sold for 60 dollars back on October 3rd, are approaching 140 dollars each today, and many vendors have sold out of them. Those who have not sold out have begun to limit the quantity you can purchase. Hard drive rationing!

What’s a computer repair house to do when they need one? Pay the jacked up price, and unfortunately, pass it on to our customers…

An individual can still purchase from places such as Staples, Office Depot, Best Buy, etc, until the stock is depleted, then it’s anybody’s guess what the next step is.

This morning, one vendor was sold out entirely of 1TB bare drives, but, they did have a few external drives that one could purchase, then scavenge the drive contained within for their install.

A word of warning to anyone who does that: The drives contained in external enclosures are generally slower drives, not designed for the sustained transfer rates or rapid access that a typical workstation may require.

If you find a reliable and affordable source for hard drives at this point in the game… You might want to keep it to yourself, or maybe share with me!

OH, and don’t think that this hard drive situation only affects computers and servers.  LOTS of devices these days require hard drives, from copiers, to digital video recorders, to Voice over IP phone systems.

Another computer technician on Facebook mentioned to me that this could be a good time to make the switch to solid state drives, and I think they may be right!

Thoughts?

If you are attempting to log into the administration and Configuration Utility on your Cisco UC320W and find you get a beautiful blue screen, but it goes no further, then chances are that you have Adobe Flash Player 11 installed and a the UC320W has a firmware revision of 2.1.1 (7) or lower loaded on it.

Today, Cisco released 2.1.2 to the cloud for update which addresses that specific issue!

But wait, if you can’t log into the thing, how do you update your firmware so you can log into it?

First, you will need to downgrade your Flash Player to version 10.

To determine which version you are currently using visit here: http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

To download earlier versions of Adobe Flash visit here: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/142/tn_14266.html#main_Archived_versions

Once you have downgraded your browser to Adobe Flash Player 10 you will be able to log into UC320W Configuration Utility to perform the upgrade, and once complete can reinstall Adobe Flash Player v11.

The 2.1.2 firmware does not correct any other issues or add any features. If you are not experiencing login issues, you may want to hold off until 2.1.3 is released which does add some new functionality, or so we have heard!

Should you require assistance in updating or configuring your Cisco UC devices in the Greenville or Upstate, SC area, please give us a call at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com – We are a Cisco SMB partner!

One conversation new or potential business owners may want to have with their IT professionals is about what technologies exist that can improve their life. Below you will find some that are must haves…

Apple iPhone

Smartphones: Whether it is an Android, iPhone or even a Windows based phone, you cannot survive without one. These devices provide instant communication with your clients through email, text message and phone, along with the ability to browse the web and select from tens of thousands of applications to assist in your business. Your clients will not wait for you to get to your office to respond to an email. Even a quick, “I’m driving, will respond as soon as it is safe” auto-response is better than no response. The cost of a typical phone can range from 100 to 300 dollars per phone depending on features and term of contract from the carrier of your choice.

Square Credit Card Reader

Credit Card Processing: If you expect to get paid, then you need to accept every form of payment possible, including plastic. Yes, you will lose a little bit on the sale, but you will gain an instant payment. If you are just getting started, without purchasing a machine or paying a monthly charge, you can accept credit cards anywhere you have a cell signal using the Square credit card application with your smart phone and the free reader device that they provide to you. No per-swipe fee, and less than 3.0% charge. Fast, secure, and in your account the next business day. Find it in your phones’s marketplace.

Reliable & Fast Internet: There are a lot of choices these days for fast internet, from DSL to cable to fiber, and the old tried and true T1 standard, but some businesses may find that a wireless broadband internet plan may be enough for them. We recommend Charter Business in most situations, but that varies depending upon what is available at the business location. One advantage to using a cellular based broadband internet connection is that you can take it with you, which is great for businesses that are not tied to one specific location. Typical 4G plans will provide over 5 meg down and up to 2 meg up. Verizon Wireless offers the MiFi devices for around 50 dollars with 5GB plans for 50 dollars per month.

IP Surveillance Cameras

IP surveillance: Sure it sounds like the CIA, but IP security cameras at your business will decrease loss of inventory, increase productivity, and may provide an insurance savings. You can even keep tabs on your employees using a smartphone or any web browser to view these camera. Recordings can be reviewed after events occur, and most systems can email you when there is movement in a particular location. Prices range from $150 for a single entry level camera into the $2000 range to cover an entire business. You can install yourself, or get an IT provider to handle this for you for the most professional results.

Email: This is a no-brainer, but many small businesses will cut corners here. A Hotmail account will work for sure, but who wants AcmeWidgetCo@hotmail.com on their business cards. At the very least, your business should use a service that allows for linking a domain to your mail, such as Google Apps (Gmail) or Microsoft Office 365. This gives you a professional appearance, and provides for important features such as linking of your smartphones, sharing of calendars between users and so much more. Microsoft Office 365 costs about 5 dollars per person per month and gives you up to 20GB of storage.

Anti-Virus & Security: Far too often this is overlooked, or taken for granted. A business that is vulnerable to viruses or malware is a business that could experience costly downtime and repairs, not to mention, open yourself up for compliance violations and potential fines or legal issues depending upon the field you are in. The components of a secure network are as simple as a quality firewall like those offered from Cisco, Watchguard or SonicWall, an anti-virus software package from Trend Micro or Symantec, and taking the time to apply updates to the Operating System (Windows, Mac, etc) and support software (Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, JAVA).

Backup: When disaster strikes, you need to be prepared for it. Having backups of your important files will insure you are not out of business when a computer or server fails. Backups technology can be as simple as an external USB drive or remote backup solution, or on the other end of the spectrum, as complicated as auto-loader tape drives. One thing is for sure, ANY attempt to backup your data is better than none. For automated cloud backup solutions, consider Servosity or Mozy Pro.

Here at Homeland Secure IT, we utilize a vast array of technology and we also help many small and medium businesses and even home offices stay up to date. If we can help you with decisions regarding your Greenville or Upstate technology infrastructure, please call us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com. We offer sales, service, repair and consultation of everything from computers to VoIP.

What is your “must have” business technology? I would love to hear about it.  VoIP phone systems? iPad, Android or Windows based tablet computers? A favorite app (We love TiKL & Waze)?

Large businesses have full-time IT staff or fully outsourced IT support that provide monitoring of their infrastructure and keep them up to date and now small & medium (SMB) businesses can have the same level of support when it comes to devices on their network.

Cisco OnPlus works by allowing Homeland Secure IT or your Cisco SMB service provider to place a Cisco OnPlus Network Agent at your location and configure it for reporting.  The Cisco SMB specialist will be able to monitor your site from remote on a variety of devices, from handheld to tablets, to desktops and take action when needed.

OnPlus is the latest tool in the Managed Service Provider’s arsenal. Using it, Cisco products can be backed up, restored and fully managed remotely. Other devices are supported as well!

As always with Cisco, security is the name of the game and OnPlus provides a secure environment for your IT service provider to manage your network. Your data is safe from prying eyes, only the devices themselves can be managed and use of this system does not permit access to data outside of configuration and management.

If you would like your business to have monitoring, alerting, reporting and managing capabilities, then ask your Cisco SMB provider about this exciting offering. No need to wait for a service or repair technician to visit your location, management is handled in real-time, remotely! This service is one of the most affordable methods for managing your firewalls and security appliances, IP surveillance systems, switches, routers, VoIP phone systems and more.

Homeland Secure IT provides Cisco SMB sales and support in the Greenville & Upstate SC area. Call us today at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com.

nexVortex SIP Trunking for Business

If you are currently using a SIP trunking provider for your business, have a look at what nexVortex has to offer. Compare it to your current provider and see how they stack up!

Homeland Secure IT became a partner with nexVortex after researching many other providers… We needed a reliable provider who could offer the features our clients needed at a price they could afford. We found that the quality of service and the feature set offered by nexVortex fit the bill, as did their pricing!

For instance, the nexVortex Business Elite Plan offers unlimited concurrent calls, 5000 minutes of outbound (US continental & Canada), 5 DID telephone numbers, E911 and disaster recovery for only $100/month. That is everything most of the businesses we work with require, though they do have a Business Pro Plan that is even less expensive at $40/month, and that has 2000 minutes of outbound calls, unlimited concurrent calls, E911 and one telephone number.

Need 50 DIDs? How about 100, or 1000?  nexVortex can provide that too, saving you lots of money in the process in many cases!

If you would like more information in the Greenville or Upstate, SC area, please call 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com. If you are outside of our area, that’s okay, click on the nexVortex logo and you can find everything you need on their website.

Unable to use SIP trunking due to an old phone system? We can help with that! We are have a solution that is right for your business!  Please call or email today!

Pardon the pun with the “dollars & sense” thing, but really that is what it comes down to, whether it makes sense, not just the dollar amount.

In my previous post, we looked at a company we will call “Business One”, a local small business using PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) with their old key phone system and asked the question “Are you paying too much for your business phone service?”…

Obviously, there was money to be saved by simply changing how they have always done things, however, there was expense involved, which came in the form of the need for a new phone system. Let’s look at what is involved to move “Business One” from an aging key phone system to a new VoIP (Voice over IP) system.

First, let’s see what the current system comprised of:

• 8 total extensions
• 3 outside phone lines
• Paging to a speaker (broken)
• Paging to phones
• NO music on hold option
• NO Automated Attendant capability
• NO voice mail (Simple answering machine turned on manually)
• NO voice mail going to email
• NO Caller ID display

We’re talking a very basic digital key system. It has accomplished what they needed, and nothing more.

So what would we be putting in place?

Cisco’s new UC320W Unified Communications system, which is one unit that controls the local VoIP system, provides a security router, gigabit switch, wireless 802.11n and more.  This is the baby brother to the UC540 system, and it supports up to 24 extensions, 4 copper phone lines, and a fax/phone/credit card machine port.

With additional modules, it can support even more phone lines, at the expense of losing one extension for each additional outside line over 4.   (If you had 8 phone lines, you could only have 20 extensions).

For desk sets, Business One has determined they need only the basics, no color display, bluetooth or MP3 player needed here.

We opted for the Cisco SPA504G, a 4 line display phone with outstanding audio quality, crystal clear speakerphone, dedicated headset port, message waiting indicator and an AUX port to connect the optional 32 button sidecar which allows the programming of single button speeddials, transfers, etc. These phones also have a network passthru for the connected PCs and Power Over Ethernet (POE).

To enable the two people who answer phone the most there the ability to easily transfer calls to other worker voice mail and extensions, we added two of the 32 button sidecars (SPA500S). They can tell if someone is using their extension at a glance, and transfer a call they answered easily to another extension, or send it straight to that extension’s voice mail with the push of one button.

The old phone system does not use CAT5 wiring, so new wiring was required to several extensions, and since there are no power outlets in some of those locations, a Cisco ESW-520-8p switch was in order. This switch provides 8 ports of 10/100 ethernet WITH Power Over Ethernet (Meaning, all 8 extensions would not require to have a power adapter plugged into the wall)

The client had an existing 10/100/1000 (gigabit) network for their computers, but it was decided that keeping the networks isolated would be desirable. That fact, combined with the desire to have Power Over Ethernet and long runs of cabling that were required to the warehouse area made for a more costly solution than may be necessary in many cases. However, the complete, turn-key solution rang in at about $4500 dollars. By turn-key, we mean, start to finish: Consultation, installation, configuration & training.

By switching to to this VoIP solution and to the SIP trunks as outlined in the previous post, in less than 2.5 years, the new VoIP system will pay for itself, while providing many features this client has never enjoyed!

New features that Business One can enjoy:

• Automated Attendant (Many calls are handled by the phone system)
• Voice Mail for each extension (will replace a single answering machine)
• Night Attendant will provide different greeting/functions after hours
• Music on Hold
• Voice mail is sent to their email to listen to on a smartphone
• Caller ID so they can screen those salespeople!
• Display phones loaded with features
• Ability to transfer a call to their cell phones, or even forward all calls
• Full call logging, see at a glance every incoming/outgoing call
• 8 Simultaneous calls through SIP (instead of the 3 they had before)
• Ability to use inexpensive SIP trunks for service!

That’s just the tip of the iceberg! Their old system has seen better days, so switching to a full fledged VoIP solution and taking advantage of a decrease in service will pay for itself…

Now, if they would just consider the Cisco SPA525G2 phone, with its beautiful color display, built-in MP3 player, bluetooth connectivity to headsets and cellphones, then they would be stylin!

If you would like to talk about how a system like this could be implemented at your business, please call us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com. We are your Greenville / Upstate SC Cisco SMB Select Partner!

SIP Trunking Provider - nexVortex

In assisting clients recently with their IT needs, we have been discovering a number of them are paying too much for their business phone service. After thinking about it, I decided to contact a sampling of our clients, all in the SMB (Small and Medium Business) segment, and ask them if they would share some information with us so we could compare what they are currently paying with what they COULD be paying if they made the change to a technology called Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking from standard copper phone lines, T1s or PRIs.

First up, we have “Business One”, a small custom manufacturing and sales place, has a total of  three usable voice phone lines with one incoming number, they have one additional phone line used for their FAX, alarm and credit card machine. Their internet is provided by AT&T via a 6 meg down, 0.5 meg up connection. Their current costs are $433.31 including taxes for their long distance and local phone service and their internet connection.

$433.31 is not too bad, however, we thought we might be able to beat that…   We had our Charter Business req quote a 25 meg down, 3 meg up connection, and bundled one single phone line with that in the quote, which will handle the FAX, alarm and credit card machine. Then we opted for the Business trunk package from our SIP provider (NexVortex) which includes 5000 minutes of incoming and 5000 minutes of outgoing talk time, UNLIMITED concurrent calls, 5 DID telephone numbers, Disaster Recovery Routing.  Total cost?   $270.oo

Improvements:

• Bandwidth up from 6/0.5 meg to 25/3.0 meg (400% increase)
• Usable phone lines up from 3 max in use to unlimited
• Ability to give five key personnel their own individual direct phone number
• Cost savings of $163.31 per month or $1959.72 per year

The cost savings could be increased to over $220 per month ($2640/year) if they only needed ONE phone number, 2000 minutes and no disaster recovery.

Of course, the main thing to consider is, the old analog phone system at Business One is unable to support SIP trunking. Their 15 year old system will need to be totally replaced…

In my next post, I will give an example of the cost to upgrade Business One to a brand new VoIP (Voice over IP) phone system from Cisco that can handle the SIP trunking and give them new features that they currently do not have, such as Caller ID, voice mail that goes to email, display phones, etc.  I also hope to give several other examples similar to this one.

Here is a link to the Wikipedia article on SIP

Would you like more information about SIP trunking and how it can save your business money? Please email us at info@homelandsecureit.com or call 864.990.4748. We are your Cisco Select partner in Greenville & Upstate SC, offering the latest in Cisco VoIP technology, as well as a partners with SIP trunking providers such as NexVortex!