Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Siemens Telephone Systems – Meets the Varying Needs of Businesses

A business enterprise that doesn’t have a strong communications networks fails to take off. Communication is rightly regarded as the backbone of businesses today and it is very important that companies understand the power of communication. Since the time telephones were invented, they have become indispensable. But today telephones are not merely devices for talking with other people over geographical distances but also for carrying out many other telecommunication services. Intricate telephone systems are installed with the purpose of providing better connectivity, scaling up use of resources and reducing the downtime of the system. Every company’s communication requirements differ and thus the kind of telephone systems adopted can vary.

Siemens, the world leaders in telecommunication, has always been known for building quality and reliable telephone systems. The user friendly Siemens telephone systems makes communication processes effortless and seamless. The most defining HiPath 3000 telephone system from Siemens has been highly adopted by small, medium and large enterprises. HiPath 3000 can support 10 subscribers and can extend up to 500 subscribers. Easy operations, highly reliable voice communications, enhanced remote administration are some of the features of HiPath 3000 from Siemens. Other features include network-wide unified communications such as call status, instant messaging etc.

If you are worrying about telephone system maintenance, Siemens takes care of that too. Regular technical help, easy-to-adopt system and remote solutions are some of the advantages of using Siemens. These telephone systems have advanced security, greater flexibility and mobility, making them more convenient for small and medium enterprises. Internet access, telephony and network connections are also possible on this one communication system. By installing Siemens in your office environment, you can be assured that you are better connected with your customers and can now efficiently manage employees and suppliers.

Siemens has an extensive HiPath range that offers customized solutions to various business needs. HiPath 3000 is just one of them.

Improve Business Environment Using NEC Telephone Systems

When it comes to communication systems, NEC is a name that is most trusted by experts. Offering smart and intelligent products, NEC or Nippon Electric Company is known for offering unmatched quality and performance. Businesses keen on setting up data cabling in their offices trust NEC as it offers a wide range of products that suit all kinds of need. Let us quickly look at the most popular NEC telephone systems and outline their key advantages.

SL1100

SL1100 is exactly what small businesses look for – a durable, cost-effective and flexible telephone system. Supporting up to 40 handsets, SL1100 is loaded with features such as built-in voice response system that enables auto routing and auto attendant functionality without any additional cost. It is programmed to send notifications to various desk, home and mobile telephones. If you want to integrate your telephone system with mobiles and get the benefit of additional features such as caller ID, call transfer, voicemail etc., SL1100 is just meant for you. You can also configure email notifications with the system.

SV8100

Large businesses that require a wider telephone system can ideally use NECs SV8100 as it supports as many as 512 extensions. However it can also be used in small and medium enterprises in varying proportions. The SV8100 is not merely a phone but offers many advanced features that take communication to a different platform. The various features include fixed line telephony, integrates e-mails into the system by means of converged communication and sets up instant messaging. All these features are encompassed into a single unit. Other features include called ID, call transfer and voicemail. The modular handsets can be upgraded throughout their lifetime just by changing the vital modules into the evolved technology of the time.

If you are looking for a dedicated and hassle-free experience with telephone systems, it is best to go with the market leaders. NEC will prove to be your wisest choice that also offers you value for money.

Steps in Selecting Select a Business Telephone System Provider

A business telephone system is the backbone of your organisation. Even after the advent of mobile phones, a business telephone system remains the preferred and official choice for businesses worldwide. Whether it is a internal communication between the employees or with the external world, the importance of a business telephone system has not diminished over time.

Hence it is very important that you select the right telephone system for your business. Midland Telecom Networks Ltd, a leading business telephone system provider in the UK suggests that businesses should take the following steps while selecting a business telephone system:
  • Requirement assessment:
    • At the outset, the business should analyse how many employees will use the business telephone system
    • In how many locations will the system be installed
    • Which other additional features like Voicemail, Auto Attendant, Call Recording, Call Management, IP Telephony, etc. would be required
  • List the service providers
Draw up a list of reputed telecom service providers in your location who can fulfill your requirements. A careful research is required to come up with a qualified list.
  • Comparison
Based on the list you have compiled, compare the service providers on different parameters. Some of the parameters which hold prime importance in the selection process are:
    • Deposit: The telecom operators might require you to pay a deposit, which will deplete your cash reserves. Choose an operator which asks for a reasonable amount of deposit
    • Service charge: How do the service charges compare? Also, what kind
    • Customer service: Consider the quality of support do they provide to their customers. There should be a 24x7 customer care number. Is there any assurance regarding the time within which service will be provided?
    • Cancellation terms: In case you are not satisfied with their service, then what is the cost of exit? Do they require you to be tied to their network for a specified time period before you can cancel?

  • Final selection
Now, based on the information gathered you are ready to select the best Business telephone systems provider which provides the best services at the most reasonable cost.

Choose the Right Cable for Your Telephone System

A robust infrastructure is essential for any business telephone system. Whether your business uses a Siemens telephone system, or one from other reputed manufacturers, installing a reliable telephone cable as its backbone is a must. Telephone cabling is responsible for transmitting information throughout the communication structure of the organisation. Poor cable quality will cause noise and disruptions in the entire telephone system. Hence choice and proper installation of high quality telephone cabling is a must.

The following are the popular types of telephone cables which work well with Siemens Telephone systems:

Fibre Optic:

Fibre optic is one of the latest materials to be used for cabling, and is rapidly gaining popularity across the world for its reliability. It uses laser beams to transmit data. These laser beams pass through optical fibres housed in a specially coated glass core, which allows for easy reflection. The most impressive feature of fibre optic is that it is a lossless option, as it does not use electrical pulses to transmit data. Most telephone companies nowadays are gradually shifting to fibre optic for telephone cabling.

Unshielded Twisted Pair:

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable is the preferred popular telephone cabling material among telephone companies today. It provides unmatched cost effectiveness and ease of installation. An UTP cable consists of four pairs of 22 gauge wires twisted around one another. Instead of relying on physical shielding to block interference the UTP cable uses different filtering techniques. UTP cables are thin and lightweight. A telephone cabling system using UTP is easier to maintain than STP networks.

Shielded Twisted Pair:

A shielded twisted pair (STP) cable is also made up of four twisted pairs of wires. However, unlike in UTP, each pair of signal carrying wire here is wrapped with a foil shield in order to reduce electrical interference. The effectiveness of the shield varies according to the material used as the shield. STP cables are heavier, costlier, and more difficult to install than their UTP counterparts.

Carefully consider the type of telephone cabling you would need, based on your requirements. Consult your telephone company for their expert guidance.

Choose a Telephone System Maintenance Contract and Outsource Your Worries

One of the backbones of a business is thetelephone system it uses. Its importance in the daily activities of the business is immeasurable. Like all the other technological resources, a telephone system also needs regular maintenance to ensure its uninterrupted functioning. Whether the business usesa telephone system from NEC, Nortel, Aastra, Avaya or Panasonic, regular maintenance is a must. Otherwise the telephone system might suddenly cease to function properly. This will result in loss of productive hours for the staff, disruption in critical services and an unwarranted loss of business and reputation for the company.

It is not possible for a typical businesses to maintain its telephone system on their own. A telephone system maintenance agreement is a solution to this need. There are many companies across UK that provide telephone system maintenance services.They offer standard telephone system maintenance contracts and also contracts customised as per the specific needs of a business. To enter into this Telephone system maintenance contract, service provider will charge monthly or yearly fees, which will cover the cost of regular maintenance, spare parts and repair.

A telephone system maintenance contract offers the following benefits:
  • Round the clock service - Engineers with expert knowhow about servicing and repairing telephone systems manufactured by NEC and other manufacturers are available 24x7 to provide support. They will come and perform the necessary repair work within the minimum time and ensure that the NEC telephone system is up and running soon. The company will perform preventive maintenance at regular intervals too.
  • No business disruption – Since the NEC telephone system will be maintained regularly by the company, any chances of a sudden fault developing will be minimised. Hence the business owner will have complete peace for mind knowing that chance of loss of service or business is almost nil.
  • Reduction in ad-hoc repair charges – For businesses that does not have a contract, any sudden disruption in telephone systems can prove to be expensive to repair. A telephone system maintenance contract is a safeguard against this.
Choose a Telephone system maintenance contract today and let your business run uninterrupted.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Telephone System Support - What Makes It Good?

In the 21st century world you are dependent on communication for smooth functioning of your business. You teams need to be constantly in touch with each other and your vendors. You also need to answer to all queries of your customers to earn their loyalty. In such a scenario it becomes important for you to invest on a good telephone system. Panasonic, Siemens and NEC telephone systems are among the best in the market. You also need to make sure that your service provider also offers you quality telephone system support. Here we shall discuss a few things that make system support good and desirable.
  • Service Helpline – The firm should have a service helpline where you would be able to report all the problems that you have been facing with your telephone system. Ideally these calls should be handled by qualified engineers instead of sales people as they would suggest immediate remedies and at the same time register your request for further support
  • Service Level Agreement – Service Level Agreement act as a guideline for support services and you must insist on a SLA with your vendor. This safeguards your interest as a customer and also speaks about the professionalism of the firm.
  • On-Site Assistance – Make sure the firm you are choosing offers you on-site assistance as this ensures that any hardware problem would be dealt with. Certain firm only offer you remote assistance and this isn’t enough when the system has developed a technical snag as it needs to be handled by a qualified engineer. Also keep in mind that they respond in a short time as disruption in service affect your business directly.
  • Support Charges – Most vendors would offer you free assistance for a limited period of time upon installation of the system. But you need to gather detailed information on their fee for offering assistance beyond this time period. Compare these rates between different firms as this will help you choose the best vendor in the market.