News and Events

April 2008 vol 1 Newsletter:

 

Remote offices, remote workers and better networks.

Many companies, whether large or small, are finding the need to connect branch offices and remote workers to both their voice and data networks of their main location.  This need is a result of the rising need to make technological resources more available to those branch offices and remote workers, while keeping it cost effective for the company.  These remote locations can be brought under the organizational umbrella while maintaining their individual office status and gain the access to the resources that the main location can offer.  Sharing resources through WAN (Wide Area Network) connections will save a company time, money and overhead, not only during the initial expansion, but ongoing.  Traditionally these branch offices might have been set up with their own separate phone system and their own computer LAN network.  Perhaps they would have one data connection to the main office for that "special application" which absolutely had to be shared.  This traditional set up still persists today, even as better more dependable cost saving alternatives exist and actually end up costing the organization more money, not only in the initial setup expenses, but in ongoing reduced operational efficiencies and productivity.  Considering that a branch office needs an Internet connection, a phone system and a connection to the main office for those special applications, the costs associated for these systems can be added up individually and figured rather quickly, including the initial costs, plus the ongoing monthly costs.

"With remote extensions, your co-workers are always right there."

 

 

Eliminating redundancy such as multiple servers has already been a driving influence in creating WAN inter-location connections. Now add to this, the ability to share phone systems and connecting the branch office becomes even more convenient and advantageous.  One such cost savings which can be immediately recognized is by not having to buy a complete new business phone system.  By connecting the remote office into an IP-PBX which can use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) at the primary location, installing a branch office's phone system is as easy as creating extensions and plugging an IP phone into the network.  Hardware costs are lowered dramatically, with IP desk-sets being the only major hardware cost.  And the benefits are even greater than the lower upfront cost.  Now the two locations can use extension dialing to reach each other, usually a free call as it travels over the network, and the remote office will make calls out through the main office, leveraging their in-place phone provider's bulk rates.  

In the last few years the Internet and network ISP providers have greatly improved their technology and stability, making connections between locations for small businesses robust, dependable and cost effective.  Bandwidths have increased significantly, while at the same time prices have moved lower.  And technology has advanced which can allow specific Quality of Service (QoS) standards to be maintained on certain networks with MPLS networks.

So where does all this lead? 

When considering a replacement phone system or a new one, a priority should be given to explore an IP-PBX.  IP technology will handle your needs, both now and into the future, whether you have a remote location on the drawing board or not, and take your company to the next level in voice communications, both delivering features that increase productivity and lowering costs.  And in the event that your CEO wants to use his home office occasionally, connecting directly to the main office, you'll be ready.  Just hand him a phone and have him take it home and plug it in.  This alone may be worth quite a lot.

It never has been easier, it never has been better.

A business phone system you truly need to experience to believe.

 

voice | data | networking | video