| Phone system technology is on the fast track. Let's | | | | phone system technology moves ahead, systems are |
| take a look at a few simple ways we can tap into it to | | | | equipped with the ability to accept this technology. SIP |
| help our business save money and increase our | | | | trunks offer different packaged minute plans and |
| efficiency. It's easy to get lost with so much | | | | feature sets that are usually very attractive. Things like |
| information, so many darn acronyms and what seems | | | | caller ID, the ability to manipulate inbound and outbound |
| like a constant flow of new technology. It seems | | | | calling features as well as cost savings usually have a |
| impossible to keep up. We'll take a look at what a lot | | | | positive impact on overall communications. Don't get |
| of companies are finding useful today to try to help | | | | confused with SIP trunks and business lines now being |
| you minimize your costs. | | | | by broadband cable companies. I've seen too many |
| One area whereby results can be almost immediate is | | | | bad experiences with this type of application and |
| voice and data circuits. Depending on the size of your | | | | therefore do not recommend it at this time. |
| company you may be already utilizing voice T1/PRI's. | | | | If you are accustomed to using a dedicated data T1 |
| Pricing has come down as new technology invades its | | | | and are thinking about switching to cable internet or |
| territory. Most voice T1 contracts are 3 year term. If | | | | DSL, be careful. T1 speeds are guaranteed where |
| you don't say anything after the term obligations are | | | | cable or DSL are not. If you're using a data T1 and |
| met you will most likely be rolled into another similar | | | | your contract is coming due soon you might want to |
| term contract. These roll over rates are usually not the | | | | test it first. Broadband cable providers usually don't |
| best out there compared to current pricing so be sure | | | | require any contract commitments. You may also |
| to know when yours is up. Even with new VoIP | | | | want to check out new rates for your data T1 as |
| technology, voice T1/PRI's still play a vital role in | | | | pricing has most likely come down since you entered |
| efficiently delivering cost effective voice traffic. | | | | your agreement. |
| Voice T1/PRI's may not be a cost effective method | | | | These are ways that you can sometimes see a lot of |
| for all companies. Usually 10-15 lines would be the | | | | savings each month. If you haven't looked at your |
| breaking point when it makes sense to move to a | | | | voice and data bill for a while I would encourage you |
| digital circuit. Your traffic and monthly bill is the ultimate | | | | to take a glance at it. Although they're not easy to |
| determining factor. | | | | decipher, you can always call on a local expert to |
| If your organization does not warrant utilizing a digital | | | | identify where savings can be applied. They can also |
| circuit you can evaluate VoIP lines aka, SIP trunks. SIP | | | | dig deeper into your independent needs of how phone |
| trunks can be a cost effective implementation. As | | | | system technology can offer you further savings. |