Do I go VOIP phone system or traditional phone system Hardware for my telephony needs?

The big question that is engulfed with marketing hype on all sides in recent years. And technology has certainly changed!

If you have simple requirements where you just want to put phone calls on hold, have traditional phone lines and have other basic features like voicemail then Digital PABX’s would be the most effective solution.

One question we get asked what’s the difference between a IP handset and a digital handset? The answer is that they operate the same way.

The IP connection to the outside world is a lot more complex where different trunking is required.

IP handsets are connected via a LAN connection and digital handsets are connected direct to PABX main box.

When using IP handsets within the office  please be weary that appropriate data switches may have to be implemented which does significantly affect your pricing

 Most modern day PABX’s do cater for VOIP as well which gives you the most benefit for future technology.

 If you are requiring remote user’s and satellite offices then hosted and Hybrid PABX’s would be your choice.

That is why Arrow recommend Avaya and EPBAX. We’ve tested the products in our lab and we are happy to endorse them. 

Most clientele do opt for hybrid systems so they can have traditional lines with a mix of SIP trunks usually connecting remote sites.

For the last couple of years there has been some significant traction to get customers to go to hosted VOIP solutions.

A hosted PABX is where there carrier provides the services for all its customers from a central PABX like configuration and uses DSL technology to connect handsets

If going a pure VOIP hosted system like EPABX you have many benefits where major equipment costs are not as high and call changes are simply done by contacting the host with changes generally happening same day.

Adding remote sites and users is simple with handsets able to be sent to site with preprogramming already done with simple plug and play.

As long as there is a carrier suitable DSL connection this setup is very efficient

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if more information or call 1300 766 796 and speak to an expert today.

Cheers

AB

Having dealt with cordless “DECT” solutions for a number of years it never ceases to amaze us how these manufacturer companies market unrealistic statistics on their new handsets but only to disappoint once implemented. 

First of all the true DECT handset setups are usually the same branding as your existing PABX.

Alcatel have a good DECT system which enables you to put calls on hold, transfer as you would with the relevant desk handset but this comes at a significant cost when antenna base stations, system DECT cards, programming etc are accounted for & with typical pricing starting from $1,500 onwards. And as technology hasn’t changed for so long, it’s fallen way behind business requirements.

 The DECT (cordless) handsets you buy from retail stores are just glorified analogue cordless handsets that have limited functionality with models being changed frequently which is frustrating.

Coverage for these phones vary from 50-200m with average clarity.

 Recently we were requested by the distributor to test the new Engenius Freestyl long range cordless handsets.

We were extremely sceptical given our previous experience with cordless models and their hype.

The test parameters were the following:

-         Handset connected to our existing Avaya PABX via analogue extension card

-         Handset located on Level 8 333 George St Sydney

-         At nominated positions do both an internal extension call and outside call

-         Weather was overcast July 2010

-         No additional antenna’s connected

If you refer to maps below you can see the coverage we obtained in both Sydney CBD was extraordinary especially will all the obstructions such as buildings.

Pretty amazing isn’t it?

Imagine this kind of range for your business? Think coverage through out every floor of your business. Or for our distributor and warehouse customers – think of the communication value you will gain no matter how large your warehouse is or how far it is from the office!!!

The 2nd test at Norwest Crowne Plaza with the General Manager was also successful with full coverage over 4 floors plus the Roof Plantroom!

The Crowne Plaza were ecstatic as they have never been able to use there current cordless phones past the Ground Floor.

For hospitality customers, this is new obtainable holy grain.

 Engenius have made claims they can do up to 5km’s so stay tuned as we are doing more site tests including farms and large industrial sites!

If you’re still thinking about the possibilities, let me seal the thought – it’s incredibly affordable to boot!

Would you like to test it for yourself? Call us on 1300 766 796 for an obligation free test in your building.

Or click here to register your interest and one of our team will call you back.

Cheers,

AB

The long range cordless capabilities of the Durafon are well documented, with users reporting a range of up to 15 km under ideal conditions. The Durafon will remain the ultimate in long range cordless performance, but the Freestyl 1 is still impressive and beyond comparison with even the very best DECT systems.

Contact Arrow on 1300 305 794 to find out more about this exciting new product.

Extreme Coverage

• Up to 6km*
• 10,000 hectares
• penetration up to 9 floors

Easy Installation

• The Freestyl 1 can be set up in a matter of minutes for extreme range coverage

Expandable

• Starting with 1 handset, the Freestyl 1 can be expanded up to 9 handsets

Feature Rich

• Wireless intercom
• Speaker phone
• Call Transfer
• 4 line back lit display
• Call ID with call waiting

• Call ID phone book : 50 entries
• Friendly user programming
• Broadcast page (handset /base)
• Any key answer
• Call Hold
• Selectable ring tones
• Selectable ring/vibrate mode
• Adjustable flash time
• 2.5mm headset jack
• Call barring
• Rapid charging

Applications

• Office buildings
• Factories
• Warehouses
• Car yards
• Garden centres
• Hospitals
• Schools

* using external antenna

SB

08/07/10

With the new possibilities of having a virtual network available for both your voice and data services “Sip trunks” allow you to communicate via the Internet cloud at a fraction of the cost of traditional telephony.

At a first glance there isn’t too much a difference in price between the traditional set-up and using VoIP to make your calls until of course the benefits are made apparent.

If you have multiple sites or offices, retail stores or home workers “Sip trunks” allow you to merge traditional telephony networks and VoIP so that all calls are free within the network. Meaning you can have 50 different sites all available to call back to base and transfer calls between different sites at again no cost.

This is advantageous as firstly as it reduces the total cost of ownership across the business but secondly improves process and can be used in conjunction with data running across the same network including content management systems, applications, email and file transfer.

Arrow sell Sip trunks at wholesale prices and can deliver a virtual private network across an extensive range of hosted solutions and networks to suit your business requirements.

Call Arrow to discuss how we can improve the way your company does business 1300 555 330

Lachlan

A SIP trunk is one part of a phone system that exists in the virtual world of the internet known as the “cloud”  where you can run a whole phone system with multiple lines, voicemail, automated attendant and transfer calls just like you would with a traditional phone system but using a single internet connection.

To run your telephone calls over the internet this is known as using “VoIP” now everyone’s heard it but do they understand it? simple its just running small packets of data over the internet over a regular copper phone line just like using the internet to view websites but instead of sending data to view, VoIP sends data to hear.

Now the main advantage of Voip over using the standard copper analogue telephone line for what it was traditionally designed for is that you can run many phone calls over the one line with Voip instead of only being able to make one call at a time. Meaning you are only limited by the size of your internet connection and have your whole phone system running over a single telephone line.

This can reduce the spend of service and equipment charges that are usually associated with a complex phone system call groups, different departments in a company and voicemail, Imagine getting rid of all your phone lines but one?

All you need to set one up is the phone equipment, a telephone line and a telecommunications provider who can supply a hosted phone system and internet. Ideally you want a provider that specialises in all of the above and can best advise what suits your business requirements and manage everthing from the internet connection to the VoIP system including handsets and the line it all comes in on.

Arrow Voice & Data are specialists in delivering both traditional hard wired phone systems and Voip solutions. We can provide any solution including phone handsets and equipment to suit small businesses and home office to call centres and companies with offices all around Australia. Arrow have the best business grade products and can look at reducing your total cost of ownership across all lines of business including internet, fixed land lines, mobiles and hosted VoIP and internet.

Call us today so we can tailor a solution to fit your business requirements so you can focus on your core areas of business and leave the communications to us.

1300 555 166

Lachlan

There are many features and benefits involved with quality phone systems but some of the most important are;

• Auto attendantbasically takes the place of the receptionist presenting callers with a list of options ie, (“Press 3 to speak with Sales, Press 4 to speak with Service)
• Conferencing features allows two or more callers to be included in one conversation
• Voicemail allows callers to leave messages if specific staff members are away or not available
• Music on Hold gives your callers something to listen to while they are on hold. It can be music or prerecorded messages advertising your company.
• Redial allows the last number called to be redialed
• Call Forwarding gives the user the ability to forward all calls to another extension or to voice mail temporarily.
• Call Hold is the ability to put a call on hold while the user is busy.

There are other advanced features which we can explain to you on a case by case scenario. Some of these include;  Computer Telephone Integration (CTI), Remote Location, Find Me / Follow Me etc etc…

You will also need to select the numbers of phone lines coming into your business this will enable more calls to come in at once and calls to be transferred within your business smoothly without callers being dropped. From here the best thing to do is speak to a experienced sales person who can guide you in the right direction. Visit the Arrow Voice and Data website for more info;

 http://www.arrowvoice.com.au/phone-systems

DG

We offer flexible in-house rental packages with tax deductable monthly payments and complete service. A great phone system can take your organisation to the next level – improving customer satisfaction, team performance and the bottom line! In addition you will receive great savings and discounts tailored for your business when you choose a PABX phone system from Arrow.

Some of the key benefits of Arrow PABX inc;

• Option to buy equipment upfront or pay monthly rental
• Cost effective rates for equipment, maintenance and calls
• Dedicated Account Manager & Network Engineer
• Business Grade Technical Support
• Options to upgrade after rental term expires

Click on the link below to our website for full details and a quote today

http://www.arrowvoice.com.au/phone-systems

DS

A lease is finance and when you finance something you have to go through extensive credit checks, this also gets marked on you credit file and can stop you from borrowing monies for other up and coming projects.

At the end of a lease period, there is a fixed buyout figure known as a residual payment. The “residual” is a fixed percentage of the total value of the phone system. For example, you can choose to Lease a system over 48 months with a 10% residual figure.
You will also find that a lease is slightly more expensive than renting.

At arrow we offer an in house rental this means no external finance companies are used.

Renting Phone Systems from Arrow is like a lease where you enter into an agreement to make monthly payments for a set period 12, 24, 36 but at the end of the term you can either choose to purchase the system for 3 times the current rental price, continue renting the system for half the original agreed rental or upgrade your system.  

Every rental payment is 100% tax deductible.

For more information please click this link

GL

A PABX these days is much more than a vessel from which you make calls and transfer calls to other colleagues. A PABX is now a People management tool with the ability to manage call flows into your business so potential clients or customers find them selves speaking to the best person to field their particular enquiry. Nobody likes calling a company and being bounced around half a dozen people before actually speaking to the best person.

Another decision which a business need to make is do they spend their hard earned cash when purchasing a phone system or do they rent or lease one much as they do with company cars or photocopiers. A phone system is not an asset worth owning. as it gets older the maintenance gets more expensive to operate. At Arrow Voice and Data we offer an inhouse rental which is approved in minutes and is not invasive into directors personal finances. to find out more please go to http://www.arrowvoice.com.au/phone-system-rental .

Lastly and probably most importantly when you are purchasing or renting a new phone system it is important to look at the systems scalability because you do not want to purchase a system to then out grow it is 12 months or 2 years time.

SS

If we don’t normally stock it, we will source it and or a specialised technician via our extensive partner network.  Arrow Voice & Data have technicians Australia wide so if you want the best solution for your company then you need to click this link and either call or send an online enquiry.

Whether you need a basic phone system or the latest in IP Telephony Solutions, Arrow Voice & Data have the right solution for you.

Arrow will arrange everything from the design of your system to delivery, installation and training.  Talk to a real person as well not an answer phone or robot, Arrow have no hold time when you call them…NONE!!!

We make it easy – We’ll project manage every component of your installation and combine site visits when possible for a seamless transition to Arrow Voice & Data.

Some companies offered you priority queue for your service requests as they need something to differentiate themselves from all the masses who sell phone system, guaranteed emergency response times.  With Arrow this is the standard, what every client expects and receives, because of this we require no special line, instead you can call your account manager on their direct line or mobile and Arrow have no hold time even on their general customer service line.  All Arrow’s client needs are treated as urgent no matter how big or small they may be as Arrow Voice & Data understand the importance of your phones.

If your phones don’t work for a full day how much will that cost your company in lost revue, sales and staff productivity?  If this is important to you then pick up the phone NOW!!!

BS