News and Events
February 2010 Newsletter vol 1:
Six items that make a good phone system...
A business PBX phone system is more than just the PBX and the phones. Phone systems do require more items for dependable service. Regardless of the age of your system the following 6 items can make the difference in a system that operates efficiently to one that will cause you headaches.
Here are some items that can affect your communication:
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Wiring or cabling- Like any electrical system, if the connections are bad, the results are are going to be bad. Make sure that your premise wiring is in good shape. Check for any corroded or loose connections, as well as the condition of the phone wiring, phone components on the wall and the condition of the demarc (this is where the phone companies lines come in and your premise lines meet them).
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A well lit, well organized clean phone closet (phone/data room)- The equipment that resides in your phone/data room will operate more efficiently and have less failures if the conditions are good. These conditions would include the cleanliness, temperature, ventilation and organization of the room. Dust can be a real problem, as it builds up on the components increases their temperature, as well as inadequate heat or no AC. Stored items or equipment leaning up against wires in the very least can bend something, not to say cause an electrical short. In the event that your system needs service the easier it is for the technician to have good access the faster they will be able to complete their service.
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A system where each component is attached and secure- Most PBXs are mounted to the wall, usually a painted piece of plywood. On that same board there could be several other pieces of equipment. Typically these would include a block where wires are connected from the service coming into the building to the phone switch, your telecom provider's equipment, lightning protection and perhaps other devices such as a music on hold source, and/or paging interface, equipment, etc. If these items are not securely attached and arranged neatly, chances are you have a problem waiting to happen.
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Good grounding- Grounding components correctly can eliminate spikes of unwanted electrical current which can cause damage. In rare events correctly grounding devices can even prevent strange unpredictable issues which can be the result of poorly grounded equipment.
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Lightning protection- Storms are a normal occurrence, so chances are that during the course of a typical summer you may experience several lightning strikes in a close proximity to your premise. These strikes need not be right on top of you to be a concern. (If they are very close, unfortunately, chances are they will do damage regardless of lightning protection.) Make sure you have a lightning protection system in place that is in good shape.
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Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) or Battery Back UP- A UPS is more than a device that will allow your phone system to stay operational in the event of a power loss, it is a power conditioner. Power conditioning adjusts the power that goes to the phone system so that it maintains certain levels. Spikes, drops and other changes in voltage can do plenty of damage to the processor of a phone system, much more than the loss of power. Make sure you have a good UPS connected to your phone switch.
Taking precautionary steps:
Some of these items will be confirmed by simple observation, others will require a telecom professional to recognize and repair, but in each case it can affect your business telephone's operation, if it isn't already. No company can operate without their phone service, it is one of the critical needs of all businesses. Something this important, needs to be placed high on your priority of critical systems.
So, consider inspecting not just the phone on your desk, but what it connects to.
The chance of a failure of your phone system increase if conditions exist which are not conducive good industry standards. Zeracom believes in good sound practice when it comes to your telecom needs. If we install a new system we make sure that your grounding, lightning protection and UPS are either replaced or are in good working order. We would like your system to operate at its peak efficiency and for that to happen we look at the 6 items above, after all, its not just the phone on your desk and the PBX on the wall that makes a call happen. If you believe you might be courting a potential problem please feel free to give us a call at 864.676.2170 or contact Chris at chris@zeracom.com.
It never has been easier, it never has been better.
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