How To Use Group Calling & Pickup On the Avaya 18D Euro Style Phone
Call groups on the Avaya 18D Euro Style phone are designed to help organize and manage teams within your business. Follow along as we take you through the steps to use group calling and group pickup on the Avaya phone.
To make or transfer a call to all extensions in a Calling Group, press INTERCOM and then lift the handset. Dial 7 followed by the group number, which is any number from 1 to 4.
To page all extensions in a Calling Group, start by pressing INTERCOM and then lift the handset. Dial *7 followed by the group number (1-4). After you hear the beep, you may begin speaking.
To answer a call at any extension in a Pickup Group, press INTERCOM and then lift the handset. Dial 66 followed by the group number (1-4).
And that is how you use group calling and pickup on your Avaya phone. Check out this and other video tutorials on our YouTube channel. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest for updates.
For an excellent selection of business phone systems and equipment, you may visit us online or call 1-800-564-8045.
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Safeguard Against Cyber Attacks
Understand The Risks
In order to develop strong security measures, you should understand all the internal and external vulnerabilities along with how hackers gain access. This will help you identify any points of weakness and give you insight on what needs to be addressed. Know what to watch for by learning more about the different types of fraud and common cybercrime trends.
For example, it has been ingrained in many of us not to click a suspicious link or open an attachment. This threat still remains popular, with most hackers targeting CFOs specifically. Because they have access to the company’s budget, gaining access to the CFOs information is like hitting the jackpot in comparison to an individual’s financial assets.
Hackers will also watch social media to see what’s trending. Large events produce large audiences which draws the attention of hackers. With so many potential targets, hackers will design malicious content aimed at those attending or involved.
Much like you are responsible for the customers in your store or building, the same goes for the visitors of your pages online, so you must secure all aspects of your business.
And unfortunately, while the volume of cyber attack messages has decreased, the cyber attacks are getting stronger.
Security Policy & Employees
Once you know what you need to safeguard, make sure you have a strong security policy in place. Your employees play a crucial role when it comes to defending against attacks. Be sure they are properly trained and educated on various aspects.
Be sure your policy clearly states what employees can install, access, and keep on their work computers in order to keep a “clean desk environment.” When it comes to passwords, be sure they follow smart password practices, which include using long, unique passwords, using separate passwords for every account, and enabling two-step authentication when possible. Other important aspects include spam filters (how to use them and what to look out for), backing up work (whether employees or management completes this task), and speaking up when any suspicious activity occurs on company devices.
Make The Call
The phone is better than email when it comes to verifying financial requests and confirming details with banks, vendors, clients, or employees. And, when it comes to approving outgoing funds, adding a two-step verification process adds an extra layer of protection and helps to prevent potential losses.
Up-To-Date Software
Never delay an anti-virus software update or updates for other security applications unless absolutely necessary. These updates often contain patches for newly discovered threats, keeping your infrastructure safe and secure.
Incident Response Plan
Put a plan of action in place for any cyber incident and make sure to practice it periodically so that all team members are aware of what to do. Fighting cyber crime takes preparedness and teamwork within your organization.
Share your cyber security tips and advice with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
For quality networking security equipment, business phone systems, and more, visit us online at Startechtel.com or call 800-564-8045.
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How To Place A Call On Hold On The Panasonic DBS VB-44223 Phone
There are numerous reasons why you may need to put a call on hold, whether it is to locate the proper information or transfer the caller to the correct party. To learn how to place a call on hold on the Panasonic DBS VB-44223 phone, follow these steps.
Start by pressing HOLD while on an active call.
If the call is on an outside line, retrieve it by press the appropriate line key. The line key will be flashing green.
If the call is an extension, retrieve it by pressing HOLD a second time, or by pressing the flashing FF (Flexible Function) key.
If you need to answer two calls, press HOLD to put the first call on hold. Next, press the green flashing FF key to answer the second call. Press HOLD to put the second call on hold. Press the green flashing FF key to return to the first call.
Please note that if you do not pick up a held call within a certain period of time, you will hear a tone indicating that the call is still waiting.
Also, the EXT indicator flashes when you hold an internal call or an outside line that is not assigned to a FF key.
And that is how you hold and retrieve calls on your Panasonic phone. Check out this and other video tutorials on our YouTube channel. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest for updates.
For an excellent selection of business phone systems and equipment, you may visit us online or call 1-800-564-8045.
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Motivate Workers With Effective Communication
Effective communication is a great way to keep your employees motivated and engaged in the workplace. Without clear communication, employees may not understand what’s going on or feel out of the loop. Keep your employees involved and connected with these tips:
- Weekly Correspondence
Set aside a day and time to send out an email to all employees. Include important topics pertaining to the business such as ideas and plans. Invite feedback to encourage participation and engagement.
- Open Communication
While most companies focus on the positive, it can be beneficial to examine what isn’t working and what can be done to make it work. Show employees that you value their contributions by allowing them to voice their opinions.
- Town Hall Meetings
If you manage other remote offices, it could be beneficial to hold meetings among the employees from all locations. Whether it means traveling to each location, or holding a virtual meeting or conference call, make sure you encourage a two-way dialogue as opposed to simply lecturing the staff.
- Annual Senior Leadership Conference
In the same vein, hold annual conferences for the senior leaders. This allows for team building, networking, and sharing ideas to ensure that everyone is on the same page for company goals.
- Timely Responses
Always remember the Golden Rule and respond to your employees within 24 hours. Yes, we are all busy, but employees need to know that they are being heard and are appreciated.
By implementing these practices, you can build cohesiveness within your team, enabling employees to feel more comfortable and happy in the workplace. This is one way to enhance productivity, but here are a few more ideas and incentives:
- Eliminate Motivation Killers
These can include poor leadership, lack of appreciation, no professional development, and toxic people. Audit your workplace and make the necessary adjustments. Develop leadership skills, show appreciation and invest in professional development, and minimize the effects of toxic people. This will greatly increase the morale of your team.
- Gamification
Increasing motivation will increase productivity, and gamification can be a great way to motivate your employees. It involves using badges, rewards, points, challenges, and other game elements to make certain tasks more appealing and exciting to workers. There are different gamification platforms which can be integrated with your existing applications to add incentives for normal work tasks.
- Clear Goals & Feedback
By setting clear-cut goals for employees, they will know what is expected of them. In addition, short-term goals can help employees improve their time management skills. Constructive criticism will give employees insight on what is working and what they can do to improve. This also portrays that they are being examined and that they are a valuable asset to the company.
- Responsible Tech Use
Using technology in the workplace can increase productivity, however, it can easily blur the line between personal and professional lives. Provide your employees with flexible options, such as working remotely, through helpful apps and hardware, but be sure to respect the work-life balance.
- Standards + Skills Development
As previously mentioned, clearly define expectations for your workers, but also provide opportunities for skills development. Giving employees the room to progress and grow with the company shows them that you want to retain their talents for the long run.
- Communication
Again, this is what almost everything boils down to. Communication is not only limited to phones, devices, verbal or written exchanges of information, but applies to the entire communications system for your company. Employees should understand the hierarchy of the company so that they know who to reach out to for various questions and concerns.
When it comes to keeping a happy, productive work environment, remember to maintain motivation, practice proactive involvement, and employ appropriate technologies to enhance communications.
Share your tips and advice with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest! Browse our vast selection of business phone systems and more at Startechtel.com. To speak with a representative, please call 800-564-8045.
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How To Use The Network Profiles On The Allworx 9224 Phone
For Allworx phone systems which use server software 7.4 and later, the phones store Network Profiles. These network profiles contain network and registration settings. Users may select a Network Profile to use for different situations.
For example, you may want to connect to a second Allworx serve for disaster recovery purposes or temporarily connect to the Allworx server from home. Network Profiles avoid having to manually change these settings on your Allworx phone each time. Follow these steps to change the Network Profile on your Allworx 9224 phone.
Begin by pressing the CONFIG (Configuration) softkey. Use the UP/DOWN scroll softkeys to highlight the Network Profiles option. Next, use UP/DOWN scroll softkeys to highlight the Network Profile you would like to use and then press SELECT. Press the EXIT softkey to exit the Refreshing the Directory Screen. Lastly, reboot the phone.
To reboot the phone, press the CONFIG softkey. Use the UP/DOWN scroll softkeys to highlight the Reboot Phone option and then press SELECT. If there are any unsaved changes, select the YES softkey to save any changes, or select NO to cancel the changes made. Lastly, press the YES softkey on the confirmation prompt to reboot.
And that’s how you change the Network Profile on the Allworx 9224 phone. Check out this and other video tutorials on our YouTube channel. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest for updates.
For an excellent selection of business phone systems and equipment, you may visit us online or call 1-800-564-8045.
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How Millennials Are Changing The Way We Communicate
Millennials are the largest and most diverse generation yet, with over 92 million people, comprised of those born from 1980-2000. While most of us remember landlines and playing outside, millennials grew up surfing the internet and playing online video games, requiring them to interact with other individuals in the online world. Growing up in such a collaborative environment, it seems only natural that they would bring this style to the workplace. Another poignant factor in millennial upbringing was the experience of 9/11. Despite their young age, they were mostly aware of the situation and its impact, showing that in times of struggle we band together, possibly attributing to their desire to work together as a solid team.
With that being said, millennials are bringing an important shift in workplace communication in all aspects. Thanks to their love of technology and collaboration, we are seeing a major change in business interactions and environments.
Remote Work
Spurred by millennial influence, more and more businesses are allowing employees to work remotely. But this desire to work freely doesn’t mean they don’t value working relationships and the workplace culture.
As previously mentioned, millennials are comfortable working online and prefer the freedom. This can benefit businesses as they are able to reach employees out of their normal geographic range, bringing new talent to the business without spending money to expand office space. However, a solid remote work policy supported by a solution that enables effective communication is necessary.
Mobile
While desk phones are still a valuable asset to offices, for remote or mobile workers, smartphones take precedence. This is not necessarily a bad thing for companies. If utilized correctly, a BYOD program or collaboration or messaging app can help to bring your workforce together.
Aside from the fact that millennials prefer mobile and electronic communications, a secure app will allow your team to easily contact each other without leaking sensitive company data over insecure networks. A comprehensive policy along with an app with the property security measures should be in place.
Video Conferencing
With various forms of video calling being so easily accessible, many millennials are very familiar with this format. Thus, video conferencing is a welcome form of interaction, especially since it is the best way to mimic in-person communication. This enables remote workers to interact with in-office and other remote workers, promoting working relationships and team collaboration. More often than not, participants also report being more prepared and engaged in video conferences than in other communication alternatives.
Collaboration & Feedback
Millennials enjoy employee engagement and invite feedback and coaching. They are more responsive to constructive criticism and an open dialogue between colleagues. Their desire to improve their talents is not only to benefit themselves, but to also benefit the team as a whole.
Impatience = Innovation
Impatience can be seen as a negative characteristic, but not necessarily in this sense. Their impatience and preference for convenience spurs motivation. This motivation combined with their desire to problem solve leads them to discover new and innovative ways to get the job done. And it is this creativity and drive that makes them invaluable in our modern workforce.
Share your thoughts on the impact millennials are having on business communication with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
For a great selection of business phone systems and telephone equipment, visit us online at Startechtel.com. For questions about our products and services, please call 800-564-8045.
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How To Make A Conference Call On The Avaya 18D Euro Style Phone
The Avaya 18D Euro Style phone allows you to conference up to four parties (up to two outside connections and up to two inside connections) on a call. Follow these steps to learn how to make a conference call on your Avaya phone.
Begin by connecting to the first party by either dialing the party’s number or answering a call. While on the active call, press CONF (Conference). Next, press an idle intercom or line button. Dial the next party’s number, and then press CONF again. All parties are now connected.
You may repeat these steps to add additional parties. To remove the last-added outside party from the conference, dial FEATURE 06.
And that’s how you make a conference call on the Avaya phone. Check out this and other video tutorials on our YouTube channel. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest for updates.
For an excellent selection of business phone systems and equipment, you may visit us online or call 1-800-564-8045.
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The Impact Of Virtual Reality On Business
All that is necessary to create a VR experience is a 360-degree camera to capture footage, the necessary software to piece the data together to create the VR scene, and a headset viewer. Because of this, different industries have taken interest and are using VR technology to enhance business. Find out how these businesses are utilizing VR to their advantage.
Real Estate
Searching for a new home can be a challenging experience. Visiting different homes, especially for those moving out of state, can be difficult, time consuming, and costly. Luckily, virtual tours can help alleviate the woes and help buyers choose a new home.
An example of VR technology being applied to real estate is within Sage Realty Corporation. They offer VR tours for commercial real estate properties. Potential buyers are able to “walk through” and experience how the office will look after completion.
Construction
Along the same lines, in construction, VR technology will allow a client to view the finished product before it is done. Previously, building a mock-up was standard, which has its limitations (only displays the exterior, expensive, time-consuming). VR enables the client to virtually walk through the building and examine minor details. This helps the client make changes early, resulting in improved satisfaction with the final product.
Space
Much like space, VR allows you to experience and explore a scene without limits. At the Collaborative Human Immersive Laboratory (CHIL), two different VR platforms are used to create virtual representations of space vehicles, satellites, tools, and other instruments. These platforms allow people to experience what it’s like to be in a space vehicle or interact with a satellite before the prototyping stage, as well as enable designers and engineers to identify any potential problems with prototypes.
Car Dealership
Car shopping and test driving can be a fun experience for some, but with VR technology, you can test drive vehicles that may not even be available in showrooms yet (Volvo is the first auto company to try this). The VR scene places you in the car with the open road beyond that.
Workplace
When it comes to the workplace, VR can drastically change the way we communicate and collaborate. Mixed reality (hybrid reality) combines real and virtual worlds to produce a new environment where physical and digital objects can co-exist and interact. Thanks to VR, we can now communicate with experiences.
Remote teams can work together in a collaborative, immersive virtual environment. The opportunity cost of time spent on flights and jet-lagged meetings along with travel costs are essentially eliminated. And augmented reality (AR) applications are able to translate in real time, eliminating language barriers.
Because employees tend to be more productive when they have more control over their work schedule and space, VR will offer your workers flexibility while improving business efficiency, and worker satisfaction.
How else can virtual reality technologies improve the way we communicate and interact with each other? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Visit Startechtel.com to browse our expansive collection of new and refurbished business phones, phone systems, networking equipment, and more. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us at 800-564-8045.
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How To Assign Personal Speed Dials To One-Touch Keys On the Panasonic DBS VB-44223 Phone
Setting up personal speed dials on the Panasonic DBS VB-44223 phone shouldn’t be a daunting task. Luckily, we can help. Let us take you through the steps to assign personal speed dials to one-touch keys.
Start by picking up the handset or you can press ON/OFF. Then, press PROG (Program).
Next, press the one-touch key you wish to program. Alternatively, you may press AUTO and then enter the desired Personal Speed Dial (PSD) bin number.
The PSD bin for that key will appear on the display. For example, it may display “Enter PSD 901“. You may want to take note of the bin number for the key since you will need it to assign a name to the key.
Now you may enter the phone number you wish to assign to the one-touch key. Please note that there is a maximum of 16 characters.
To insert an outside line access code, press CONF (Conference), then dial the access code, which is either 9 or a number from 1 to 6.
To insert a pause, press REDIAL.
To insert a flash, press FLASH.
To insert a hyphen (which appears when the number is dialed or checked, but not during programming), press FF6 (Flexible Function Key 6).
To insert a *, press * and to insert a #, press #.
Once you have finished entering the phone number, press HOLD. And lastly, replace the handset or press ON/OFF.
After you have assigned personal speed dials to your one-touch keys, you can quickly dial them by pressing the appropriate one-touch key. Simply pick up the handset or press ON/OFF (or, if necessary, access an outside line) and then press the desired one-touch key.
And that is how you assign personal speed dials to one-touch keys on your Panasonic phone. Check out this and other video tutorials on our YouTube channel. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest for updates.
For an excellent selection of business phone systems and equipment, you may visit us online or call 1-800-564-8045.
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Should You Bring Your Own Device?
With BYOD programs, employees provide their own devices and pay out of pocket for the device, service, and other associated expenses. While some may think that this would upset employees, they are actually happy to foot the bill.
Because of this, BYOD contributes to worker satisfaction. Rather than being stuck with company-provided equipment, workers are able to choose the device they want and are most comfortable using. It also allows them to customize their options with headsets or Bluetooth options. Overall, BYOD gives employees more flexibility to work remotely, creatively, and quickly.
In addition, BYOD devices are often the more advanced, latest versions, giving the business the benefits of cutting edge technology and features. And users are great at keeping their devices up-to-date, unlike the delayed refresh cycles for most companies.
On the other hand, the hesitation for most is the security risk. Without a well thought out policy, businesses may lose the control over the IT hardware and how it is used as it can get tricky trying to tell the user what they can and cannot do with their own device.
Before implementing a BYOD program, a clearly defined policy is necessary. It needs to include expectations, as well as minimum security requirements, which can include mandating company-sanctioned security tools as a condition for allowing personal devices to connect to company data and network resources.
Another concern is related to compliance and data ownership. For businesses that fall under compliance mandates (ex. PCI DSS, HIPAA, GLBA), the rules apply regardless of whether the data is on a company computer in office or on a laptop owned by an employee.
This becomes even more complicated when it comes to workers who are let go or leave the company of their own accord. There should be a policy in place that details how the data will be retrieved from the personal device.
Considering these things, would you adopt a BYOD plan for your business? For those already executing it, do you have any tips or advice for others? Share with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
For an excellent selection of new and refurbished telephone equipment, business phone systems, parts and accessories, please visit Startechtel.com. If you have any questions, need assistance, or would like to place an order over the phone, please call 800-564-8045.
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