Hosted Solution Renamed

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Universal ComOne Louisiana offers a cloud-based or hosted phone solution to its customers, and the product recently underwent a name change. Formerly known as GreenSky.io, the hosted telephone solution is now called LineOneTM.

LineOneTM offers the same great features including:

  • Unified Communications
    • Voicemail to Email
    • Fax to Email
    • Presence appearance of Co-Workers
  • Call Recording
  • Web and Video Conferencing
  • SmartPhone Apps
  • Call Center Solutions and Reporting
  • Predictive Dialer and SMS
  • SIP Trunking
  • Unlimited Calling

LineOneTM is an evergreen solution, so it can be the last phone system you ever buy.

LineOneTM offers a robust network that is uniquely designed for business telecommunications.  We implement superior voice quality service through our Geo-redundant data centers located in New York, Dallas, Minnesota, and Las Vegas.  With an up time of 99.99%, you can have confidence you’re your communications with your customers will be superior to other hosted systems on the market.

Our engineers and management team have experience in all levels of telecommunications since 1982 and bring a vast knowledge to the design and implementation of your new business system.  We have helped small business to large corporations minimize their reoccurring telecommunications cost while improving the efficiencies of employees and inbound call flow.  We will ensure your business telecommunication system will be customized to your business needs and your staff will be trained to operate your new system effectively.

Contact us today to learn more or click here for an instant price quote.

A Cloud Phone is Considered Wise. Why?

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Cloud technology including cloud phone has turned out to be a fascinating field. More and more companies are switching to various cloud services, including cloud telephones. Cloud is all about storing information and at the same time running applications that can be accessed through the internet. Data on the cloud is stored in huge servers that are provided by big cloud technology companies.

Why is there such a growing buzz about cloud computing and cloud phone services? Critics of this popular technology might point to various drawbacks. However, the advantages and benefits offered by cloud phone surely outweigh the disadvantages. In this article we are going to look at this technology from the perspective of the cloud phone services. Let’s see why choosing the cloud solution is considered wise:

Cloud Phone Offers Unbelievable Cost Savings

Companies always lookout for technologies and ways that can help them save money. Cloud phones help them do that without having to scale down their operations. Companies do not need to invest in hardware and software, yet they get access to the most advanced phone systems.

No upfront investments are needed. Organizations can use their dedicated IT staff elsewhere. Cloud phone service providing companies take care of maintenance and services.. This results in huge cost savings and better profit figures for the company. You need to pay only a monthly subscription fee based on the number of users or phone lines. This brings down costs by quite a few hundred dollars every month.

No Shortage of Storage Space

Some companies like to store voice calls and recorded data for later. This can be done very easily when using cloud phones. The cloud telephony services offer a huge amount of space, which can be increased or decreased based on the usage. Thus, organizations do not need to invest in servers or other hardware when they need more storage. Subscribing for higher storage can be done within minutes and often with just the click of a button!

Push for Automation

Cloud phone services will certainly give a boost to the automation drive in your company. The cloud service providing company automatically take care of software and upgrades. Cloud telephone systems are intelligent and keep track of your usage. The systems provide flexibility when you need more calls and features. On the other hand, when you need less usage of cloud resources, you can easily scale back and save money.

Super Flexibility

When it comes to flexibility, nothing can beat cloud telephony. You pay as you go and need not spend even an extra penny on resources or features you don’t need. You can also scale up and add more phone lines the moment your operational needs go up.

Better Mobility

You can log in and use your cloud phone services from anywhere you please. You will only need an internet connection to get started. Stay in touch with your employees and colleagues anytime and from anywhere around the world.

Cloud phone service providing companies use data encryption, division and various other security measures to protect your company’s data in the cloud. However, as a user, you too need to safeguard your equipment like PC’s and the office network by implementing stringent security checks. Cloud phones will ultimately prove to be a great solution for your company.

About Universal ComOne

Universal ComOne offers award winning business telephone systems that are right for any business. We can design a solution to fit your needs. Please visit our VoIP Phone Systems page to get more details on our business phone capabilities.

Call 337-205-9364 for all your business phone system, data cabling and communication needs.

Toshiba Strata CIX IP Communication Systems Family

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Detect VoIP Hacking

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VoIP is popular, and its popularity attracts the wrong doers in drives. VoIP hacking is used to steal your contact details, steal some call time, and to misuse your connection from making international and long distance calls at your expense.  Read on to detect VoIP hacking and how to protect yourself.

Voice over Internet protocol or VoIP has offered a numerous advantages to both small scale and large business enterprises. With this communication system, it has become easier for organizations to communicate with their employees, partners and clients all over the world. This system has made business communication more effective and faster. Irrespective of your location, you and your business can take advantage of this system. It allows you to have efficient and dependable business communication.

Although VoIP services are useful for any business, if not installed properly, they do become vulnerable to mischief. Improper VoIP implementation will lead to problems that may make your business suffer. VoIP hacking is used hackers to mess with your connection and business. They are creative in defining new ways with which they can increase your costs and steal data, and steal your contact lists. After you install a VoIP system, it’s your responsibility to check whether your system protected or you are a victim of VoIP hacking.

Let us understand what VoIP hacking is and how to identify it.

Getting Fake Anti-Virus Messages

Being an IP based system, VoIP uses the Internet for completing its regular operations. Whether you are doing a voice communication or video conference, you will need data. If you or your employees suddenly start getting fake anti-virus messages, there are high chances that your system is hacked! Inform your technical team immediately to check the system. You cannot do much more that stop using the system and wait for a green signal from the technical team. They will trace the source of such messages and build some protection against it. Next time you get a fake anti-virus message beware.

Trace Irregularities In Voip Call-History

It is true that you cannot monitor all calls. You are not the only person who is using VoIP system in you organization. Thus, implementation of an effective call monitoring model may not be possible. However, if you check your VoIP call history at regular intervals you may find that there are some irregularities. One way to check is limiting the calls to certain geographical boundaries. If you find numbers that are unknown to you or your employees, it’s time to take action. You can start looking for other signs that shows that your system is hacked.

Activation Of Webcams Or Microphones

While video conferencing through your VoIP system you need webcams and microphones. It is indeed an excellent feature that allows you to communicate with employees and business associates easily. However, the threat comes when you find that webcams or microphones are activated without your knowledge. Every system should ideally seek the user’s permission and then activate these devices. Thus, beware and inform your technical team and VoIP service provider if you encounter any such anomaly.

Internet Searches Are Redirected

Another sign that shows that your system is attacked by hacker! While you are conducting regular searches online and you are redirected to new sites unknown to you, chances are high that your system is being hacked. Many times you may find unwanted toolbars and extensions to your browsers. They also point to the fact that your system is hacked. Get in touch with your VoIP service provider soon to get rid of unwanted stuff.

VoIP Bills Shoot Up Without Reason

Why will a hacker hack your system? Obviously to misuse it for himself. Thus, if you find your VoIP bill is much higher than regular bills you should start taking immediate action. Inform your system admin and finance to do a system and usage audit. Also seek clarification from the VoIP provider on the details of such bill. If you take action quickly you can control the damage.

Irrespective of the size of your business, it is not a pleasant experience to be taken for ride. This is more important for small and medium business where every penny count. It is good to be aware of where you are susceptible and build a protective mechanism.

About Universal ComOne

Universal ComOne offers award winning business telephone systems that are right for any business. We can design a solution to fit your needs.

Call 337-205-9364 for all your communication needs.

Attention VIPedge Customers! New Music-On-Hold!

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How Cloud Computing Increases Your Business Efficiency

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How Cloud Computing Increases Your Business Efficiency

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The Severity of PBX Hacking – How to Protect Yourself

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Modern day businesses believe in maintaining the latest communication systems for their enterprise communications. Not only does it help to maintain a seamless communication both within the company as well as outside, it also enhances the prospects of beating the cut-throat competition in the market. The latest communication systems like VoIP and cloud telephony are known to provide a huge boost to the productivity of an organization and at the same time enhance the profit figures.

Of late there has been a lot of talk about cloud telephony or VoIP and how they are better than on-premise IP-PBX systems. PBX systems have been around for more than three decades. The technology used has moved from analog to digital, but the basic idea remains the same. It has always been the safest bet for companies that wanted to have complete control over their enterprise communication. However, recently it has been revealed that PBX has accounted for huge loses as they were wrongfully used by miscreants or hackers. The affected organizations had to pay up $4.4 million in extra telephone bills in the year 2013 as their PBX systems were hacked.

Now, this is a serious crime and looking at the colossal figures, one can only wonder why no one is taking note of it and formulating strategies to secure their PBX systems. Companies are busy with managing their business and not every organization has a dedicated IT team to take care of the security needs of their communication system. In such a scenario, businesses often end up paying hefty phone bills even when they have not made expensive calls.

How do companies get a handle on their vulnerable communication systems and stop hackers?

Prior to learning about the ways to stop hackers, we need to first understand what PBX hacking is all about.

PBX hacking is an illegal practice whereby an unauthorized individual can access the system by using means that include the voicemail, maintenance port of the PBX system and the direct inward system access or DISA feature of PBX systems. Hackers can even impersonate an employee of an organization and gain access to the system.

Some of the common methods used by hackers is using the auto-diallers for scanning a system that has modems and even infiltrating the system when passwords are left unchanged by users. It is very important that every user changes their passwords at regular intervals. It is also recommended that users create complex passwords by using alphanumeric combinations. It has often been observed that owners and users keep their default passwords unchanged – this can make your PBX system a sitting duck for hackers.

Some useful tips that can help you to keep PBX fraud at bay:

  • Monitor the calls made from your phone system and try to find out about the calls made after office hours. The majority of hackers prefer to hack and make calls after business hours as it helps them to operate without any worries.
  • If the official mailbox of the system is left unused then you should get it blocked or deleted. Even the unallocated mailboxes can be used by the hackers, so change the default pins.
  • Unused services should either be restricted or completely stopped as those can serve as easy entry points for hackers.
  • Calls made to international numbers should have restricted access.
  • You should ensure that all the default passwords for the system are changed after acquiring a system.
  • Keep a tab on the calls that are made from the PBX system of your office.
  • The physical location of your system should be secured.

About Universal ComOne

Universal ComOne offers award winning business telephone systems that are right for any business. We can design a solution to fit your needs.

Call 337-205-9364 for all your communication needs.

Toshiba Releases UCedge!

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One of the hindrances of using a business phone system is the wide variety of end devices you may need to use. For example, you will use an IP or Digital phone to make a call. At the same time, if you want to access a data file, you may need to use a computer. But what if all these can be combined to a single end device, and at the same time, give you mobility and flexibility? That is exactly what UCedge does.

Designed to work with VIPedge, IPEdge, and Strata CIX, UCedge has an application that you can download and install on your Windows or Mac laptop, any tablet and your Apple or Android smartphone. Once the application is installed, UCedge can federate multiple networks and give you access to all the features on the server.

For more details on the product release, click here.

About Universal ComOne

Universal ComOne offers award winning business telephone systems that are right for any business. We can design a solution to fit your needs.

Call 337-205-9364 for all your communication needs.

 

Cloud Telephony: Do You Really Need It?

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Everyone jumping onto the cloud telephony bandwagon does not imply that companies having dedicated IT departments are doing so without much deliberations. In fact, if you are a CTO or a business owner trying to determine whether to move to the cloud or not then you will certainly try to find out whether it is worth the time and money. You will need to analyze and understand various factors associated with cloud telephony prior to deciding on your move. Over the last few years, cloud telephony has gained immense popularity, both among the general users as well as the business leaders. Cloud computing has a huge presence in our lives and we are using a variety of cloud based applications and tools.

Even after all this, business organizations are still apprehensive about the cloud telephony concept because they do not want to lose business due to faulty communication services. Does this imply that cloud telephony, as predicted by all technical experts, is really not going to take off with the enterprises?  Well, it would be too early to predict the future of communication services that use the cloud.

In this article we are in fact going to understand the advantages of cloud telephony and find out why you really need it. The biggest advantages of cloud telephony are:

  • Efficient and effective call routing – Call routing in cloud telephony system is really easy and you will be able to route the incoming calls according to your business preferences. The customers will be able to call a single number as you will be able to set one number for your departments or company executives. Effectively every customer’s call can he handled by an efficient IVR. The best thing about call routing is that the agents or executives attending a customer’s call can be located anywhere across the world.
  • Customizing the calls – Incoming calls can be customized and routed accordingly. The call data of all the customers are analyzed and then automated call routing system in the cloud telephony application can be set to handle or route the calls accordingly. The calling history of each caller is a goldmine of information that can be used to analyze calling and buying pattern of the customers.
  • ERP integration – The cloud telephony system at your office can be integrated with the existing ERP system. Thus, real time data sharing will make it easier for the agents or executives while providing solutions or making sales pitches to the callers. With just a click of the mouse, you will be able to gain access to buying patterns and various other data related to the caller. Promotional calls can be scheduled accordingly and even your marketing campaigns can be tuned to meet the customer expectations.
  • Complete support to the marketing campaigns as well as surveys – The cloud telephony comes with the advanced calling software that makes it easier to schedule marketing campaigns and surveys. Contests and market surveys too can be carried out with the help of this advanced calling software. Conversations can be recorded and this can help to complete the polls and surveys quickly.

It might be a little too early to predict the future of cloud telephony but as of now it seems to have an edge over the other communication systems. Numerous companies are migrating to cloud telephony and it seems pretty logical because of the advantages being offered by the technology. It can be safely said that cloud telephony is here to stay!

About Universal ComOne

Universal ComOne offers award winning business telephone systems that are right for any business. We can design a solution to fit your needs.

Call 337-205-9364 for all your communication n

What is the Bandwidth Needed For VoIP?

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Bandwidth for a layman translates to the speed of the Internet connection but there is a broader definition as well as use of the term. Technically, bandwidth is the frequency range through which data transmission takes place. Bandwidth is not only restricted to the Internet and is used for all kinds of radio and wireless transmission. If we are talking about large bandwidth then it implies that at any point in time, a large amount of data can be transmitted. Once again I reiterate – Bandwidth does not mean Internet speed but you can use that meaning for your convenience.

How to measure bandwidth?

Hertz, Kilohertz, and Megahertz are the units used for measuring bandwidth.  When someone says 1 MegaHertz then they essentially mean one million Hertz.

This is different from an Internet connection speed which is is measured in Kbps (Kilo bits per second) or Mbps that refers to 1 million bits per second. This is a measurement of the number of bits transmitted in a second. Data Transmission speed is the correct way of describing Internet transmission speed. You will be able to decide whether your connection speed is good or not. This in turn will give you an idea whether it is feasible to use VoIP with the existing connection or upgrades are needed.

The Need to Check Your Connection Speeds

For all the organizations using Internet for both data and voice transmission, it becomes imperative to run a check on the bandwidth for ensuring good call quality. VoIP itself does not have any upfront fees but you will have to get the right bandwidth and this can be pretty costly. Bandwidth costs incurred by organizations are often high and if you are using the same Internet connection for data as well as voice then it is mandatory to use higher bandwidth. Voice signals are bulkier compared to the text signals and this is why it uses higher bandwidth during transmission. So when you have a connection with higher speed or higher bandwidth, you are going to experience better voice quality.

With the passage of time, bandwidth is getting less expensive, and now even the smaller companies can afford connections with higher bandwidth. Broadband in its latest avatar offers greater speed as compared to the old dial up connections.

Bandwidth Calculation

A normal voice call on VoIP has two components – an upstream and a downstream. In the upstream, your voice travels to the other party. In the downstream, the other party’s voice travels to you.

The lowest quality calls need roughly 15 kbps for each stream or a total of 30 kbps for each call. Mind you, I said each call. So if you have ten calls, you need 300 kbps. A good quality voice call would need 90 kbps for each call. So you now have a simple multiplication factor. Guess the number of simultaneous calls you have during peak times, and multiply that by 90.

There is small catch. This number you calculated is only for VoIP voice calls, and should be allocated for that task only. It cannot be mixed with your regular data usage.

If you are planning for video conferencing, each video call would need 1.2 mbps at a minimum.

Other Factors That Play

If you are calculating bandwidth then you should never assume that all the channels are used for every communication. For instance, when there is a normal conversation then there is a lot of silence, which implies that data packets are not at all sent during that period. Thus, full bandwidth is almost never used during VoIP calls. The usage of bandwidth depends on the datalink protocols and there are numerous factors that actually influence the bandwidth usage. Some of the factors that impact bandwidth are VPN headers, ATM cell headers, payload size, IAX2 Trunked and header compression.

You can use a bandwidth calculator like this to calculate your existing Internet connection speed.

About Universal ComOne

Universal ComOne offers award winning business telephone systems that are right for any business. We can design a solution to fit your needs.

Call 337-205-9364 for all your communication needs.