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By Michael Marquardt

If you own or represent an organization with multiple branch offices which are positioned locally, regionally or even out of the state or country, and you don't have telephony system networking in place for voice services, read on because your business productivity and the way you communicate with customers vendors and co-workers can change for the better with mind boggling, money saving results.

When offices need to communicate between other offices electronically, wide area networks (WANs) are usually implemented utilizing a wide variety of connectivity options such as; Frame Relay, Point to point (private lines), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and Voice over IP (VoIP) technologies, just to name a few of the available service offerings. If you have any of the above services in place, the final step toward enhancing your communications is a single step away by adding telephony networking equipment and software.

IP telephony utilizes your companies existing Local Area Network, converging telephony and data networks, thereby reducing local and long distance toll charges. Other benefits of networking branch offices include the ability to monitor distant locations just as if those stations were all under the same roof, providing direction station selection (DSS), busy lamp field (BLF) and one touch transfer and monitoring capabilities. In addition, your primary voice messaging system can be centralized providing one touch record capabilities when responding to internal messages. Broadcast capabilities are greatly enhanced as a single message may be sent to the entire organization. Also you minimize equipment failure and increase productivity by eliminating the need for multiple voice mail devices. Up to 5 external branch offices (6 in total) my be added to each network configuration, so you may have multiple clusters of branch offices with the ability to communicate with each other, provide call coverage, and much more.

Advanced Voice Processing with Unified Messaging is yet another technology that works well in a networked environment, and enables end users the ability to stay in touch with customers and prospects more efficiently and effectively. You can be automatically informed of new sales, prospective sales, client emergencies and much more. Voice mail messages and even a fax transmission can be instantly and automatically sent to your email account as an email attachment. Speech to text technology can translate your voice message into text, or you may decide to receive your message in an audible format, the message is then immediately sent to your email account or wireless device, providing you with the ability to respond quickly. Fax messages can also be sent per your unique instructions.

The network can be provisioned to enable ANY of the networked locations to act as a primary answering point for the organization. This of course adds another layer of added functionality and enhanced productivity, especially in the event of system outages or other unforeseen system and human events.

Voice over IP devises may be able to provide you with an extremely limited version of networking, providing only voice communication capabilities, where a networked system can offer so many more cost efficient and cost saving features and results. The Vodavi Triad system for example has excellent networking capabilities, and is an affordable alternative to some more costly and convoluted product offerings, and is expandable to over 600 ports.

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By Michael Marquardt

For over 18 years now I have heard the same question time and time again:

Why should I buy a phone system? All I have is 2 lines and 3 phones. I'll just go to office depot or Radio Shack and buy some cheap phones

So often the first place I hear of budgets being cut is on the communications system. It boggles my mind because in truth, the phone system is the very heart and nerve center of any business operation. It is the method by which you communicate with your customers, and they with you. So why not invest in the best, most feature rich equipment? The right Interconnect company will install, program, stand behind and train you on the use of your new phone system. In turn, your system can pay for itself in no time at all. In fact in most cases, 1 single lost sale is all it takes, and then its down hill from there, I assure you.

A phone system can project professionalism, or the exact opposite result.

Features like music on hold, custom on hold broadcasts that can help promote your business and voice mail, can greatly enhance your customer relationships and your ability to respond quickly to customer needs and inquiries. These features can also make you look and be more effective and professional and can actually help instill trust and stability. Likewise those 2 and 4 line phones you got at a garage sale or Radio Shack can make you look small, unorganized and down right pitiful. Some even try to install external music on hold devices to these inexpensive phones, and end up just wasting their time and money trying to look better. These systems can be convoluted to operate and usually offer no line privacy and little, if any, useful functionality.

Look for a system that will grow with your business to maximize your investment.

Our entry level systems start out equipped to handle up to 4 lines, 8 digital and 2 analog stations and can grow all the way to 28 lines and 50 stations. We also offer growth possibilities to over 600 ports with our larger system offerings. A system equipped for 4 lines and 8 stations starts as low as $1,500.00, installed. You simply can’t afford not to invest in a quality phone system for your business. And with available leasing programs starting as low as $35.00 per month, what are you waiting for? Find a local dealer near you and schedule an appointment today. I also recommend that you get at least 3 bids, weigh price, responsiveness and knowledge and call on their references. Upgrade to a proper communication system today and stop loosing sales and customers. You'll wonder how you ever did business without one.

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