Labor Day Special From Startechtel.com
Labor Day falls on Monday, September 5 this year, but do you know why we celebrate?
The origins of Labor Day trace back to September 5, 1882, a day in which Union leaders organized a labor festival for workers to celebrate their efforts. While they were worried that workers would be hesitant to give up a day’s pay to join the festivities, by the day’s end, some 10,000 people had participated. The press would later deem it as “a day of the people.”
Despite the turnout and its increasing adoption across the country, Labor Day was not an official holiday until President Grover Cleveland declared the first Monday in September a national holiday in 1896.
With Labor Day just around the corner, Startechtel.com would like to remind you that your hard work does not go unnoticed. To show our appreciation, we are offering discounted prices on some of our top-selling refurbished business phones. And when you spend $75 or more on our refurbished phones, you get FREE GROUND SHIPPING!
Prices start as low as $30 and include business phones from lead manufacturers like Nortel, Toshiba, Mitel, NEC and more. Choose from our Nortel Meridian M2616D Display phone for only $34 or our Mitel Superset 4025 phone for only $39!
Please remember that this offer applies to refurbished phones only. To redeem this offer, please call 1-800-564-8045 to place your order (offer not valid for Internet orders). You must mention the promotion when ordering. This offer is valid in the Continental U.S. only (excludes Hawaii, Alaska, & International customers). Lastly, this offer is based on website pricing only (prices subject to change), and may not be combined with any other offers.
Our Labor Day special goes on from Monday, August 29, 2016 until Friday, September 9, 2016, so be sure to act fast! Call 1-800-564-8045 to place your order today.
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How To Hold & Transfer Calls On The Mitel 4025 Phone
In a busy office, you may need to take calls and move around the office accordingly. This often requires placing callers on hold, or transferring callers to the appropriate party. If you have the Mitel Superset 4025 phone, follow these steps to learn how to hold and transfer your calls.
To place an active call on hold, press the HOLD button. You may return the handset to the cradle. To retrieve a held call, pick up the handset and press the flashing line key. To retrieve a held call from a different station, you may press the flashing line key or dial 23 followed by the number of the station that placed the call on hold.
To transfer an active call, press the TRANS/CONF button. Next, dial the number of the third party. You may hang up to complete the transfer. If you wish to announce the transfer, wait for an answer, consult, and then hang up. To cancel the transfer, press the CANCEL button.
And that is how you hold and transfer calls on your Mitel 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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VoIP For Small Business
This thinking can lead to small businesses missing out on a great opportunity. These new technologies could yield great results for businesses both small and large. For example, implementing certain technologies can lead to increased productivity and efficiency among workers.
If your small business is reluctant to upgrade, you may want to take baby steps and consider implementing a VoIP system. VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. That is, instead of using analog phone lines, Internet connection is utilized to make phone calls.
Upgrading to VoIP phones might be one the best decisions you make for your small business. Most IP phones are both reliable and affordable. Take, for example, the IP series phones from Nortel Networks. These Nortel IP phones come with excellent features, smart design, and a user-friendly interface. On top of that, you can find them new or refurbished for a cost-effective price.
And overall, VoIP service usually costs less than traditional phone services. Depending on your broadband connection and the internal network structure you currently have in place, VoIP can be a minimal expense.
Taking this plunge can improve business sales and success, making the investment worth it. Here are just some of the many ways a VoIP phone system can transform your business for the better.
Remote Workers
Telecommuters are becoming more common by the minute, thanks to improved technologies. Because of the demand, more businesses are offering this option to their workers. In order for telecommuting to work, a system that supports remote or offsite set up is necessary. VoIP systems can deliver this, allowing you to set up at remote locations (such as an employee’s home) and integrate these locations seamlessly with your main office system. Telecommuting is likely not going anywhere, so whether or not you currently offer this, you should invest in a system that has the ability to support this.
Effective Voicemail Management
Honestly, you probably notice a new email easier than a blinking red light on your desk phone. VoIP allows your voice messages to be transcribed and sent to your inbox with an audio attachment. This ensures that you get the message in a timely fashion and can address the issue as soon as possible. And you can easily forward voice messages to other employees accordingly.
Improved Call Filtering
Having a receptionist answer and route calls accordingly can create a bottleneck when call volumes are high. This can result in some calls being sent to voicemail, or missed opportunities due to multiple rings.
With a VoIP system, you can utilize a virtual or auto receptionist, which is basically a routing phone menu with pre-recorded messages. While most callers dislike automated systems, they can be very helpful. Rather than answering the same general questions, you can provide your callers with a recording of basic and useful information. That can reduce your call traffic greatly, while increasing your workers productivity.
These are just some of the many ways that upgrading to VoIP can help your small business. If you use a VoIP system within your business, what are some of the ways it has helped to improve your productivity or boost sales? Share with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Want to build your ideal VoIP system for an affordable price? Visit us online at Startechtel.com to browse our great selection of Nortel IP phones and much more. Call 1-800-564-8045 to speak to a representative who will help you find the ideal phone system for your specifications and budget.
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How To Use The Speakerphone On The Siemens optiPoint 500 Phone
On the Siemens optiPoint 500 phone, the speakerphone consists of a speaker and a microphone. This feature allows you to conduct hands-free phone calls. Please note that speakerphone is not available on the Basic model.
To make a call, press a line key or the SPEAKER key to get a dial tone. Once you hear the dial tone, you may then dial the number or extension.
To answer a call, pres the line key next to the blinking light status.
To hang up, press the line key or the SPEAKER key.
If you are using the handset and would like to switch to the speakerphone, press the SPEAKER key and hang up the handset. To switch from speakerphone back to the handset, simply pick up the handset.
And that is how you use the speakerphone on your Siemens optiPoint 500 phone. Check out this and other video tutorials on our YouTube channel. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, 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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Unified Communications For Hospitality
Cloud-based PBX systems offer unified communication services which improve the overall customer experience. Here’s how:
Enhanced Guest Services
Communications with guests goes beyond the guestroom phone. With cloud-based unified communications, there are numerous ways to connect to your guests and provide them with excellent amenities. For example, for the business center, you can provide high definition video conferencing, or you may allow housekeepers to provide real-time updates via tablets when rooms are ready. You can even enable curbside check-in and check-out for a more seamless and convenient customer experience.
Increased Productivity For Mobile Workforce
Hospitality workers are always on the move. Instead of mobile phones, walkie talkies, or other devices, you can connect your workers through a single app which incorporates voice, video, presence, messaging and other services to make workers more efficient. By providing unified communications across a highly mobile workforce, you are enabling improved convenience and communication which results in better productivity.
Low Total Cost Of Ownership
Maintaining old equipment can be stressful and costly. Because unified communications is more so a service rather than hardware that you purchase, the total cost of ownership is reduced. The price of cloud services includes maintenance, management, and support, while allowing you to easily manage your system across multiple locations. A shift from Capital Expenditure (CapEx) with legacy systems to Operating Expenditure (OpEx) makes Cloud-based unified communications a smarter, more affordable option.
Are you excited to see how hotels implement UC services? How do you think this improved technology will change the customer experience? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest!
For a wide array of new and refurbished business phones, conference phones, phone systems, networking equipment, and more, please visit Startechtel.com. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-564-8045. We are open Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:00pm.
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How To Set & Adjust The Ringtone On The Panasonic KX-T7630 Phone
Setting a unique ringtone on your phone allows you to distinguish phones and callers. To set the ringtone on the Panasonic KX-T7630 phone, follow these steps.
Begin by pressing the PROG softkey or the Program button. Next, you may either press the Intercom button twice or press a CO button twice. Then, select a ringtone by dialing a two digit number from 01 to 30. Once you have chosen a ringtone, you may press ENTER or the Auto Dial/Store button to save your changes. Lastly, to end your session, press the EXIT softkey or the Program button.
Want to adjust the volume? While the phone is on-hook or receiving a call, press the Up or Down button accordingly.
And that is how you set and adjust the ringtone 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, 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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Advanced Phone Systems For Large & Small Businesses
Open Source
Thanks to Mark Spencer, we all have Asterisk, an open source framework which turns computers into communication servers. This free service makes the code openly available for everyone to use, test, enhance, and modify as they please. This allows small businesses to implement Asterisk-based phone systems and take advantage of VoIP services with advanced features.
OpEx pricing models
In contrast to capital expenditure (CapEx) which requires a large, up-front payment, operational expenditure (OpEx) allows for smaller payments over time. Cloud-based phone systems and services utilize an OpEx pricing model, allowing small businesses a more feasible option to access these advanced services.
The Cloud & IT
For small businesses who cannot afford a strong IT team to manage the voice services within the company, cloud-based solutions make it possible for them to enjoy the advanced features and functions without worrying about IT. Cloud phone systems are usually housed and managed off-site, leaving vendors in charge of routine maintenance and updates and allowing SMBs to focus on their customers and business overall.
Simple User Interface
Plain and simple, phone systems are much easier to use nowadays. Before, some systems required programming and coding skills to perform simple tasks while other systems had special “language” that customers had to learn. These days, managing and setting up your system is relatively easy thanks to user-friendly and web-based management tools.
Features
Older phone systems offered everything you needed as a small business, therefore, advanced features were not in demand. Now, with a more mobile workforce, the needs for enterprise and SMBs are relatively similar. No matter what size, all businesses are focused on enhancing the customer experience while leading their business to success. Because of this, standard calling features plus collaboration, mobility, and business applications are some of the basics for phone systems these days.
The telecom industry better caters to businesses of all sizes now. What are your thoughts on how small business and enterprise can leverage the same tools to their advantage? Share with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
If you’re looking for quality telecom equipment, choose Startechtel.com. We carry a wide selection of new and refurbished business phones, phone systems, voicemail, cards, and more. Visit us online or call 1-800-564-8045 to speak with us directly. We are open Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:00pm.
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How To Transfer A Call On The Siemens optiPoint 500 Phone
The Siemens optiPoint 500 phone conveniently provides the Transfer feature. This allows you to move a call to another extension or an outside number (if your system is set up accordingly). Follow along as we break down the steps to transfer a call on your Siemens phone.
In order to transfer a call, you must first call the party or answer an incoming call. During the call, ask the party to hold. You may then press the TRANSFER key if you have it. If you don’t, select “Start Transfer?” Next, dial the extension you would like to transfer to, or dial 9 and then the outside number.
You may announce the caller when the party answers, then you may hang up. The two parties will then be connected.
To reconnect, before you hang up, scroll to “Release and return?” and select it. This rejoins you to the original call and releases the party you are talking to.
Or you may scroll to “Toggle/Connect?” and select it. This rejoins you to the original call. Selecting “Toggle/Connect?” again returns you to the second party.
And that is how you transfer a call on the Siemens phone. We are always adding new video tutorials so be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, 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 Basics About Modems
What Is A Modem?
Modem stands for “modulator-demodulator” which basically describes what it does. The modem acts as the connecting point between your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and your router by encoding outgoing information and demodulating incoming information.
Before, modems sent data directly across telephone lines. These days, modems use different routes depending on the type. Cable modems use coax cable, whereas a separate frequency on copper lines is used for DSL. When it comes to fiber connections, instead of a modem, an ONT (optical network terminal) is used.
Cable Modems
Cable modems are usually divided by which generation of DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) they support, and from there, the number of channels supported can vary. All of this determines the maximum download and upload speeds for the modem.
DOCSIS
The original DOCSIS 1.0 came out in 1997, with a single channel and maximum speeds of 42 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up. The updated DOCSIS 1.1 was the same, but added standardized QoS (Quality of Service) settings.
In 2001, DOCSIS 2.0 was released, again with a single channel and download speed at 42 Mbps, but with upload speed at 30 Mbps. Five years later, DOCSIS 3.0 was introduced and is what is used by most carriers today. It has the same speeds as DOCSIS, but with added multiple channels. There is a minimum of 4 channels for both download and upload, but no limit on the maximum number of channels specified. The download channels that are commonly used are 4, 8, 16, 24, and 32, while the upload channels are 4 or 8.
DOCSIS 3.1 became available in 2013, but was not widely adopted. It supports speeds up to 10 Gbps down and 1 Gbps up, which is achieved by narrow spacing of the channels by way of OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplying). We have yet to see what’s to come with this specification.
Rent or Own?
Modems may be rented from your provider. Renting can be helpful as your provider will supply you with the most compatible modem with the appropriate configurations to maximize bandwidth. If speeds increase, or there is a need for an upgrade, you can often trade up. Also, when you come across any problems, technicians can eliminate the modem as the root of the problem. If you are receiving landline service as well, most aftermarket modems won’t support this so renting may be your best option.
Rather than renting and paying a monthly fee, you can always purchase your own modem. Modems are relatively inexpensive, making them easy to own and to replace as necessary. Before you purchase your own, be sure to consult your ISP to ensure compatibility. Often times they can provide you with a list of compatible modems.
Do you rent or own your modem? Have any tips or recommendations to share? Connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest!
Find a great selection of networking equipment, including modems, plus new and refurbished business phones, phone systems and more at Startechtel.com. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-564-8045.
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The Future Of Telecom
So how will these votes impact the telecom industry?
5G
Because we have yet to see what 5G will be, this vote will allow innovators an excellent resource. According to the announcement, up to “11GHz of high-frequency spectrum for flexible, mobile, and fixed use wireless broadband – 3.85GHz of licensed spectrum and 7GHz of unlicensed spectrum” will be open and available.
Unlike 4G LTE and other networks, these frequencies are much higher (28GHz, 37GHz, 39GHz, 64-71GHz) which means the FCC can allocate spectrum in blocks of at least 200MHz (standard 5-10MHz), thus, carry more data.
The downside is that these high-band airwaves are more easily blocked, creating a challenge for carriers. Consequently, we will likely see 5G employing a mix of low- and high-band spectrum since each have their benefits in different realms.
Landlines
We could soon say goodbye to our landlines much faster than before. For carriers’ that apply, the cessation of legacy TDM (time-division multiplexing) will be granted in 30 days if they meet “a clear, objective, three-pronged test.” As stated in the announcement, the requirements include:
- Network performance, reliability, and coverage are substantially unchanged for customers.
- Access to 911, cybersecurity, and access for people with disabilities meet current rules and standards.
- Compatibility with a defined list of legacy services still popular with consumers and small businesses, including home security systems, medical monitoring devices, credit card readers, and fax machines, subject to sunset in 2025, is assured.
Carriers may go this route, or follow the FCC’s “normal adjudicatory channels” to abandon TDM voice service. In relation to this, last August, the FCC required that if carriers had plans to terminate copper networks, they must notify their customers in advance (at least three months). In addition, carriers had to inform customers that new phone systems would not work during power outages and offer the option to buy backup batteries (a requirement that also extends to cable companies that provide VoIP service).
Many see both the ups and the downs of these votes, but what are your thoughts? Share with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Visit Startechtel.com to browse our selection of new and refurbished business phones, VoIP phones, phone system packages, and much more. If you have any questions or would like to place an order, please call 1-800-564-8045.
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