Dear Metro,
My CPA firm has opened up a second location across town and as we are approaching tax season we are looking for a way to securely transfer client information. This needs to be safe and quick, so we are definitely concerned about the Internet, but we are also trying to go "paperless," so an electronic solution is preferred.
Is there a cost-effective way to set up a secure connection between out two offices?
Ralph H. Charlotte, NC
Dear Ralph,
It sounds like a great solution for your CPA firm is to set up a Private Line. Private Lines are ideal when your connection carries important, time-sensitive content.
A Private Line is a high-speed, dedicated, facilities-based solution giving you a secure point-to-point connection and can be used for interoffice VoIP, back-up systems and disaster recovery.
Private Lines can be very cost effective, and the benefits for not only data but voice services may make sense for your firm.
Give us a call at 1.866.738.1662, and we would be happy to consult with you on the best solution.
Best Regards,
Metro
Converged Network Services Group
Monday, January 5, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
What is POTS - Business Telephone Services
Dear Metro:
I see on your site that you offer a selection of business telephone services - but I have never heard of POTS. Is this something new? What is it? What are the advantages/disadvantages for a small business?
Meryl S. Charlotte, NC
Dear Meryl,
Thank you for checking out the CNSG website Voice Services page. We offer POTS, ISDN / PRI, Integrated T-1 / PRI, VOIP Dynamic T-1, VOIP PRI, Hosted IP-PBX, SIP Trunking, and Conference Calling.
...and to be honest, "POTS" is the least exciting of them! POTS stands for Plain Old Telephone Service - and is just that, the basic home and small business service that you are already familiar with. For many very small businesses, this kind of telephone service is all that they really need.
However, as technology has grown and our needs expand, things like VoIP do allow us the greater flexibility and opportunities to do business in a new way.
If you are interested in any of our telephone services from POTS to Conference Calling - please give us a call at 1.866.738.1662, or contact us through our website.
Thanks for your question and have a great day!
Metro
Converged Network Services Group
I see on your site that you offer a selection of business telephone services - but I have never heard of POTS. Is this something new? What is it? What are the advantages/disadvantages for a small business?
Meryl S. Charlotte, NC
Dear Meryl,
Thank you for checking out the CNSG website Voice Services page. We offer POTS, ISDN / PRI, Integrated T-1 / PRI, VOIP Dynamic T-1, VOIP PRI, Hosted IP-PBX, SIP Trunking, and Conference Calling.
...and to be honest, "POTS" is the least exciting of them! POTS stands for Plain Old Telephone Service - and is just that, the basic home and small business service that you are already familiar with. For many very small businesses, this kind of telephone service is all that they really need.
However, as technology has grown and our needs expand, things like VoIP do allow us the greater flexibility and opportunities to do business in a new way.
If you are interested in any of our telephone services from POTS to Conference Calling - please give us a call at 1.866.738.1662, or contact us through our website.
Thanks for your question and have a great day!
Metro
Converged Network Services Group
Monday, December 29, 2008
Data Hosting Options
Dear Metro -
I would like have my business intranet hosted with a reputable company. What are the different types of data hosting available?
Phil, NC
Dear Phil,
Depending on the size and function of the data that you need hosted you have several options.
In the traditional web-hosting situation, a website (or web-based application) is hosted with a hosting company. Usually the hosting company would house several of client-sites on one server, since one would not utilize all the available space.
For bigger companies a dedicated server becomes a viable option. This not only allows for more data to be hosted, but the added security of not having to share the server space with other clients. A dedicated server, however, is more costly, than a shared server environment.
In both of these options, the server(s) would reside in the hosting company's data center--away from the client's facilities.
Another option is managed services, where the servers would exist at the business' location and a managed serviced company would come in and take care or upgrades and maintenance. This is an option for the business owner who likes having the servers on-site, but does not want, or is unable to afford the full-time staff necessary to manage the data and IT needs of a company.
The last of the most popular choices is co-location. This is where a business would choose to have their server(s) housed in another company's data facility. These can be managed or not, and can be a good option for many businesses, especially where this is available.
Data hosting options really need to be customized to your business' specific needs. If you would like to talk to us at Converged Network Services Group, please give us a call at 1.866.738.1662.
Metro
CNSG-USA
I would like have my business intranet hosted with a reputable company. What are the different types of data hosting available?
Phil, NC
Dear Phil,
Depending on the size and function of the data that you need hosted you have several options.
In the traditional web-hosting situation, a website (or web-based application) is hosted with a hosting company. Usually the hosting company would house several of client-sites on one server, since one would not utilize all the available space.
For bigger companies a dedicated server becomes a viable option. This not only allows for more data to be hosted, but the added security of not having to share the server space with other clients. A dedicated server, however, is more costly, than a shared server environment.
In both of these options, the server(s) would reside in the hosting company's data center--away from the client's facilities.
Another option is managed services, where the servers would exist at the business' location and a managed serviced company would come in and take care or upgrades and maintenance. This is an option for the business owner who likes having the servers on-site, but does not want, or is unable to afford the full-time staff necessary to manage the data and IT needs of a company.
The last of the most popular choices is co-location. This is where a business would choose to have their server(s) housed in another company's data facility. These can be managed or not, and can be a good option for many businesses, especially where this is available.
Data hosting options really need to be customized to your business' specific needs. If you would like to talk to us at Converged Network Services Group, please give us a call at 1.866.738.1662.
Metro
CNSG-USA
Friday, December 26, 2008
Hosted PBX service vs. Managed PBX vs. SIP Trunking
For small business users, hosted (also known as "Hosted PBX" or "Virtual PBX") or managed VoIP services are a cost effective way to utilize the myriad of advantages business VoIP offers. These options enable the smaller to mid-size business to keep their operating expenses down, while putting more money back into their growing business.
Since there are many VoIP choices for business owners, we have provided you the information you will need to make an informed decision regarding your business telephone system.
Hosted PBX
A Hosted PBX (Private Branch Exchange) phone service offers businesses all the benefits of utilizing VoIP without the large initial investment needed to purchase your own network equipment.
In a Hosted PBX agreement, the equipment resides with the provider. The service provider of the hosted PBX is onsite or on call at all times and can quickly resolve any service problems remotely. Hosted services also enable a business to take advantage of redundancy and backup procedures that would be costly to maintain on premise.
With Hosted PBX, the purchase and lease of phones is only necessary on an as-needed basis. Your system can grow with the business, by just adding phones. The Hosted PBX service provider takes care of the needed system updates and enhancements automatically. The biggest advantage to small business owners is that the Hosted PBX service providers offer support as needed, so the extra staff is not required to support your service.
Managed PBX
Managed PBX Service agreements enable you to outsource the management of your PBX system, in your own facility. Managed PBX service providers charge a monthly fee and you are given a fully managed system solution, with the benefits of having total in-house control.
Managed PBX services also allow you to combine the maintenance of your voice and data solutions, and the service problems are handled remotely—even off hours. If a technician is required to come to your location, the issue should be resolved completely.
In addition to receiving statistics and reports necessary for your business, another benefit of Managed PBX services is the typical per-line charge, making this a good choice for small businesses. Managed service providers normally assign a specific service specialist to your account. This representative is responsible to oversee your account and make sure your system is properly maintained and serviced.
SIP Trunking
SIP Trunking is a single conduit pipeline for multimedia elements (voice, video and data). SIP Trunking eliminates the need for traditional voice circuits by utilizing IP connections and either a private network or the public Internet for infrastructure.
SIP trunks can support videoconferencing and unified messaging--high quality and high-end multimedia services. SIP Trunks are used in conjunction with an IP-PBX. SIP Trunks have the benefit of cost savings of SIP along with the increased reliability. This is a smart and cost effective solution to customers and allows the flexibility of using multiple service providers. Also, SIP Trunking allows for easy to scale-up as the company grows.
If you are interested in any of the above services, call Converged Network Services Group at 1.866.738.1662.
Since there are many VoIP choices for business owners, we have provided you the information you will need to make an informed decision regarding your business telephone system.
Hosted PBX
A Hosted PBX (Private Branch Exchange) phone service offers businesses all the benefits of utilizing VoIP without the large initial investment needed to purchase your own network equipment.
In a Hosted PBX agreement, the equipment resides with the provider. The service provider of the hosted PBX is onsite or on call at all times and can quickly resolve any service problems remotely. Hosted services also enable a business to take advantage of redundancy and backup procedures that would be costly to maintain on premise.
With Hosted PBX, the purchase and lease of phones is only necessary on an as-needed basis. Your system can grow with the business, by just adding phones. The Hosted PBX service provider takes care of the needed system updates and enhancements automatically. The biggest advantage to small business owners is that the Hosted PBX service providers offer support as needed, so the extra staff is not required to support your service.
Managed PBX
Managed PBX Service agreements enable you to outsource the management of your PBX system, in your own facility. Managed PBX service providers charge a monthly fee and you are given a fully managed system solution, with the benefits of having total in-house control.
Managed PBX services also allow you to combine the maintenance of your voice and data solutions, and the service problems are handled remotely—even off hours. If a technician is required to come to your location, the issue should be resolved completely.
In addition to receiving statistics and reports necessary for your business, another benefit of Managed PBX services is the typical per-line charge, making this a good choice for small businesses. Managed service providers normally assign a specific service specialist to your account. This representative is responsible to oversee your account and make sure your system is properly maintained and serviced.
SIP Trunking
SIP Trunking is a single conduit pipeline for multimedia elements (voice, video and data). SIP Trunking eliminates the need for traditional voice circuits by utilizing IP connections and either a private network or the public Internet for infrastructure.
SIP trunks can support videoconferencing and unified messaging--high quality and high-end multimedia services. SIP Trunks are used in conjunction with an IP-PBX. SIP Trunks have the benefit of cost savings of SIP along with the increased reliability. This is a smart and cost effective solution to customers and allows the flexibility of using multiple service providers. Also, SIP Trunking allows for easy to scale-up as the company grows.
If you are interested in any of the above services, call Converged Network Services Group at 1.866.738.1662.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Conference Calling Services
Dear Metro:
My company has grown and is looking for a new vendor to handle our conference calls. We have two additional offices and we need to be assured that meetings go smoothly - both internally, but with our clients. What kind of conference call services do you offer?
Meredith K. Charlotte, NC
Dear Meredith,
Congratulations on your new locations. It is common for businesses going through a growth phase to be concerned with infastructure and communication. Bravo to you for taking this matter seriously.
We have offer three types conference call services for you to choose from including: 1) Reservationless, 2) Operator Assisted, and 3) Event Services
Reservationless Conference Calls, (known as Reservationless-Plus) gives you on-demand conferencing. This provides you the flexibility to initiate a conference call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No reservation or operator assistance is required. You will be given a permanent number to dial-in and enter a conference code to set up the call. This is ideal for ongoing conference call needs.
If your meetings require more professionalism and attention to detail, we offer operator assisted conference calling. With a wide range of features and enchancements, Operator Assisted conferencing will be more professional, interactive and engaging. We have expert operators so that you can manage all the details so you can concentrate on call.
To enhance your operator assisted conference calls, we offer Surround-the-Call Features with dozens of options allowing you to record, broadcast and administer your meetings.
We also have a specialty service called Event Solutions. This service is for important event calling (small or large) with expert service and unmatched attention to detail for your most important conferences. Our Event Services Division is trained to provide stringent levels of customer service to ensure quality, consistency and complete satisfaction.
It starts with your Event Team. They'll help you select from a wide range of audio and web conferencing options that best suit your needs. Professional Meeting Facilitators, Event Service Specialists and Account Specialists manage your event from a pre-call rehearsal to post-call follow-up.
Typical Event Services conference calling is for events such as investor relations and quarterly earnings calls, product rollouts, employee training, press conferences and general company meetings & announcements.
For more information on any of our conference call services, call 888-400-8577 or go to the CNSG website for more information.
Metro
Converged Network Services Group
My company has grown and is looking for a new vendor to handle our conference calls. We have two additional offices and we need to be assured that meetings go smoothly - both internally, but with our clients. What kind of conference call services do you offer?
Meredith K. Charlotte, NC
Dear Meredith,
Congratulations on your new locations. It is common for businesses going through a growth phase to be concerned with infastructure and communication. Bravo to you for taking this matter seriously.
We have offer three types conference call services for you to choose from including: 1) Reservationless, 2) Operator Assisted, and 3) Event Services
Reservationless Conference Calls, (known as Reservationless-Plus) gives you on-demand conferencing. This provides you the flexibility to initiate a conference call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No reservation or operator assistance is required. You will be given a permanent number to dial-in and enter a conference code to set up the call. This is ideal for ongoing conference call needs.
If your meetings require more professionalism and attention to detail, we offer operator assisted conference calling. With a wide range of features and enchancements, Operator Assisted conferencing will be more professional, interactive and engaging. We have expert operators so that you can manage all the details so you can concentrate on call.
To enhance your operator assisted conference calls, we offer Surround-the-Call Features with dozens of options allowing you to record, broadcast and administer your meetings.
We also have a specialty service called Event Solutions. This service is for important event calling (small or large) with expert service and unmatched attention to detail for your most important conferences. Our Event Services Division is trained to provide stringent levels of customer service to ensure quality, consistency and complete satisfaction.
It starts with your Event Team. They'll help you select from a wide range of audio and web conferencing options that best suit your needs. Professional Meeting Facilitators, Event Service Specialists and Account Specialists manage your event from a pre-call rehearsal to post-call follow-up.
Typical Event Services conference calling is for events such as investor relations and quarterly earnings calls, product rollouts, employee training, press conferences and general company meetings & announcements.
For more information on any of our conference call services, call 888-400-8577 or go to the CNSG website for more information.
Metro
Converged Network Services Group
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Hosted and Managed PBX
Dear Metro,
Can you tell me the benefits of a hosted and a managed PBX? We are considering a PBX for our growing business in Charlotte and aren't sure which way to go.
Charlie S. Charlotte
Dear Charlie,
Thank you for your question. A PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is a private telephone network for businesses. Users of the PBX share outside lines for making telephone calls outside of the PBX primarily to reduce the total number of telephone lines they need to lease from the telephone company--which reduces a company's expenses.
If you are looking for VoIP, your choices are: managed, hosted or on-premise systems. You asked about managed and hosted--which are similar:
Managed VoIP
With managed-VoIP services, a third-party vendor provides equipment, software, operations facilities and technical support. The benefits are having an IP-enabled phone system without the costs, risks, etc of a VoIP solution. With managed VoIP is you can run an effective business phone system with limited or no internal IT resources.
Pros on the managed PBX include 24/7 support, faster time-to-market, a potentially aggressive product-development cycle, low up-front cost and predictable monthly operating expenses.
Hosted VoIP
Hosted-VoIP services rely on a service provider’s hosted-PBX equipment to route a company’s voice and data traffic. Calls are routed over the PSTN (public switched telephone network) to the hosted-PBX system.
This method is also best suited for small and medium-size businesses with limited IT resources and budget.
Pros of the Hosted PBX include the adaptability to accommodate the fluctuating needs of a growing business, or even the seasonal peaks and economic swings. Also, the seamless integration with most legacy systems is a plus. With hosted PBX there is no need to purchase VoIP hardware or software , and 24/7 support and monitoring by trained IT staff is included.
To determine if managed or hosted PBX is right for your company, please give us a call at 1.866.738.1662.
Metro
Converged Network Services Group
Can you tell me the benefits of a hosted and a managed PBX? We are considering a PBX for our growing business in Charlotte and aren't sure which way to go.
Charlie S. Charlotte
Dear Charlie,
Thank you for your question. A PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is a private telephone network for businesses. Users of the PBX share outside lines for making telephone calls outside of the PBX primarily to reduce the total number of telephone lines they need to lease from the telephone company--which reduces a company's expenses.
If you are looking for VoIP, your choices are: managed, hosted or on-premise systems. You asked about managed and hosted--which are similar:
Managed VoIP
With managed-VoIP services, a third-party vendor provides equipment, software, operations facilities and technical support. The benefits are having an IP-enabled phone system without the costs, risks, etc of a VoIP solution. With managed VoIP is you can run an effective business phone system with limited or no internal IT resources.
Pros on the managed PBX include 24/7 support, faster time-to-market, a potentially aggressive product-development cycle, low up-front cost and predictable monthly operating expenses.
Hosted VoIP
Hosted-VoIP services rely on a service provider’s hosted-PBX equipment to route a company’s voice and data traffic. Calls are routed over the PSTN (public switched telephone network) to the hosted-PBX system.
This method is also best suited for small and medium-size businesses with limited IT resources and budget.
Pros of the Hosted PBX include the adaptability to accommodate the fluctuating needs of a growing business, or even the seasonal peaks and economic swings. Also, the seamless integration with most legacy systems is a plus. With hosted PBX there is no need to purchase VoIP hardware or software , and 24/7 support and monitoring by trained IT staff is included.
To determine if managed or hosted PBX is right for your company, please give us a call at 1.866.738.1662.
Metro
Converged Network Services Group
Saturday, December 13, 2008
What is a NxT1?
Dear Metro:
As we are growing, we are investigating different bandwidth options. We currently have a T1, but I think that perhaps a T3 is overkill. Is there a stepped option in between that would make more sense? In the past, there was no way to bridge this gap, but I heard their may be a good choice available now.
William H. Charlotte, NC
Dear William,
I believe that we have the ideal options for those looking for something more robust than a T1, but not interested in going the full T3 route.
A NxT1 will give your business bandwidth over 1.5 Mbps (that of a T1), without requiring DS3 access.
A NxT1 connects 2, 3, or 4 dedicated T1 circuits (3 Mbps, 4.5 Mbps or 6 Mbps), and access is provided through a combination of software and hardware components. This provides greater bandwidth automatically by load balancing the traffic over the multiple T1 links.
Many of our clients have found that their old T1 lines do not have enough bandwidth to deal with the demands being made on their network networks. however the T3's are overkill for many small and midsized businesses.
The NxT1 option is a new approach to bundling T1 circuits. It solves the issues that had limited other solutions, and fills the T1-T3 gap.
We would be happy to discuss the NxT1 option with you. Just give CNSG a call at 1.866.738.1662.
As we are growing, we are investigating different bandwidth options. We currently have a T1, but I think that perhaps a T3 is overkill. Is there a stepped option in between that would make more sense? In the past, there was no way to bridge this gap, but I heard their may be a good choice available now.
William H. Charlotte, NC
Dear William,
I believe that we have the ideal options for those looking for something more robust than a T1, but not interested in going the full T3 route.
A NxT1 will give your business bandwidth over 1.5 Mbps (that of a T1), without requiring DS3 access.
A NxT1 connects 2, 3, or 4 dedicated T1 circuits (3 Mbps, 4.5 Mbps or 6 Mbps), and access is provided through a combination of software and hardware components. This provides greater bandwidth automatically by load balancing the traffic over the multiple T1 links.
Many of our clients have found that their old T1 lines do not have enough bandwidth to deal with the demands being made on their network networks. however the T3's are overkill for many small and midsized businesses.
The NxT1 option is a new approach to bundling T1 circuits. It solves the issues that had limited other solutions, and fills the T1-T3 gap.
We would be happy to discuss the NxT1 option with you. Just give CNSG a call at 1.866.738.1662.
Metro
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