Today’s market is flooded with hundreds of IP phones, making it extremely difficult to find the best one for your specific needs – but have no fear! We have compiled a list of steps that will help determine exactly what you need to find the ideal IP phone for you.

• First step: Ascertain what VoIP service provider or phone system you currently use. Contrary to what some IP phone retailers might tell you, not all IP phones are compatible with all systems and services. Your incumbent service provider pr phone system vendor should also be able to provide you with a list of compatible IP phones.
• Second step: Establish who will be using your IP phone(s). Each user will have a different set of requirements depending upon their job. For example, while a receptionist may only be concerned about the total number of calls that can be dealt with simultaneously, an executive might be interested in having all of the latest and greatest features and add-ons.
• Third step: Determine what functionality and features each user will require. The majority of users will need basic features, such as call transfer, call waiting, etc. More advanced features include sidecar capability for additional extensions, a large display and speakerphone. Cisco’s Unified IP Phones for example, focus on voice quality, vibrant color displays and other user experience-centric features, and are targeted to meet the needs of a broad range of users.
• Fourth step: Verify how often each IP phone will be used. In the IP phone world, you often get what you pay for in many respects – quality included. If your users are on the phone daily, it would be wise to invest in a set of high-quality IP phone, as they will last longer and offer enhanced call quality.
• Fifth step: Find out how the number of incoming calls each user will entertain at a time. That number will influence the amount of line appearances each user’s IP phone should have. Typically, receptionists, office administrators and operators will require over 10 line appearances, while the average worker will only need 3 to 5.

But that’s not all; in our next post we will continue our list of steps to help you find the ideal IP phone for your needs – stay tuned!

VoIP Services

VGW’s three new packages were designed to cover the vital features and speeds that developing SMBs need to engage customers in innovative and assertive ways and to resolve current connection issues. They include:

• A grouping of the provider’s router hardware with its SIP Gateway Service. This permits wholesale clients to provide SMBs with a fast and efficient way of getting into the VoIP game due to the fact that the SIP Gateway Service transmits VoIP traffic between the traditional telephone network and packet-based IP networks
• Dedicated Internet T1 that plans to combine discounted hardware and low-cost services, making it ideal for businesses with more than 30 employees that handle high volumes of email traffic, large file transfers, and web hosting. A Quality of Service option is available for an additional fee, and largely benefits companies that consolidate key business, video and voice applications onto a converged IP network
• Internet Dedicated Ethernet is geared toward heavy data users and includes an Ethernet connection of either 5Mb or 10Mb with Internet access. This service will bundle discounted Ethernet service and a Samsung iBG1000. Also targeted at companies planning on consolidating their key business, video and voice applications onto a converged Internet Protocol network, this Internet Dedicated Ethernet offering serves as a one-vendor solution that the end-user can ultimately leverage to suit their business model

Verizon Global Wholesale’s senior VP of marketing, Quintin Lew, stated in a recent release that by providing offers that contain both hardware and services, “we’re giving our wholesale customers new ways to support their small- and medium-sized business customers in a time when every nickel and every efficiency counts toward success.” Lew added that the provider’s objective continues to be that of supporting its wholesale customers by providing them with tools that allow them to help SMBs succeed.

Want to learn more? Give one of our professional account managers a call today!

Today, Internet protocol technology has revolutionized audio conferencing. Businesses can take advantage of the widespread availability of Internet connectivity as well as its extreme affordability to set up private conferences. Some service providers even offer audio/video conferencing services free of charge. Nonetheless, top quality conferencing services are those that are supplied by Conferencing Service Providers for a premium fee. Premium conferencing services come with a huge collection of tools and applications to service the unique requirements of each business.
In order to find the perfect solution, businesses should effectively assess their conferencing requirements.

Conferencing services are used by many businesses worldwide to gain an edge over their competition via massive information dissemination, online seminars, and staff training. Businesses with satellite offices can take advantage of conferencing services for instant, reliable correspondence between geographically dispersed locations.