: VoIP Predictive Dialers – a Technical Legacy

June 20, 2005 · Posted in SIP · Comment 

Placing outbound calls is an inseparable part of call center operations. For years now call centers have been leveraging predictive dialers for easy automation of their enormous outbound calls. But the trends of technology and science are ever-changing. So are the needs of proliferating call center industry. The recent such technological leverage that has hit the market is VoIP predictive dialers. As the name inflicts VoIP predictive dialers work on the same platform as predictive dialers but with VoIP technology operating at the back.

VoIP predictive dialers are based on SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) that runs smoothly with all communication infrastructures and VoIP environs. Besides, reducing expenses on dedicated communication infrastructure it put call automation and routing at ease.

The exclusivity of VoIP predictive dialers lies in its keen prudence to distinguish amid an answering machine or live call, network crunches or out of order numbers. A blend of all these leverages deliver a perfect solution for multi campaign handling, efficient call routing, minimized operating expenses plus a highly customizable software to match up diverse business needs.

What more, with VoIP predictive dialers one can cut maintenance and infrastructural costs to almost half.

With VoIP support it enables agents to work and coordinate from remote location as well. This means, now the agents have the liberty to work from home and yet deliver maximum output.

VoIP predictive dialers has opened new gateways to success and profits. Leveraging the enormous benefits of VoIP predictive dialers is a sure shot way to victory.

Planning your own call center? For more solutions and ideas on VoIP predictive dialer log on to www.yoursautodialer.com

Service reviews: Vonage – Part 2

June 19, 2005 · Posted in Vonage · Comment 

I have had Vonage phone service for about 3 years now and I love it. Vonage is a VOIP service. VOIP is Voice Over Internet Protocol. Basically that means that your phone calls come through your internet. It is very easy to install. Once you sign up for Vonage, you will receive your introduction package in the mail that comes complete with a Linksys router/telephone adapter, an installation guide and a user guide. You can also go to a store like Best Buy and pick up a kit and install it that way. The router is the unit that will connect your calls. All you really need to do is plug the router into a wall outlet, connect to the cable modem, plug in your phone and within seconds you have a dial tone. I am not electronically challenged and I set it up myself with no problems.

Your account information will come in your package. It will include your account number, phone number and your username and passwords for the Vonage website and for your voicemail. Again, setting this up is explained step by step and very easy.

Once you set up your online Vonage account, you can do quite a bit on their website. Once logged in to your account, there is a dashboard. You can see your incoming and outgoing calls and the call durations. The billing screen has your billing cycle and billing charges. On the voicemail screen, you can retrieve your voicemail. This is great if you are at work and need to check your home voicemail. The features page allows you to configure the features such as call waiting, voicemail and call forwarding.

With Vonage you can choose from 3 residential and 2 business plans. I have the $24.99 a month plan which gives you unlimited calls to anywhere in the USA or Canada. You also get free features such as call waiting, call forwarding, voicemail, three-way calling and international call block included in your monthly billing. The $14.99 plan gives you 500 minutes per month to USA and Canada and anything over that is 3.9 cents per minutes. There is a start up cost to set-up Vonage for a onetime fee of $29.99.

The best thing about Vonage is that you can keep your phone number for as long as you have Vonage. You can move to another city or even another state and keep the same phone number. The only downside is that when you lose internet, you also don’t have phone service.

I highly recommend Vonage phone service. All my calls incoming and outgoing have been clear and crisp and I have saved a ton of money on my phone bill each month.

All Ip Telephony Queries Answered at Last!

June 9, 2005 · Posted in SIP · Comment 

A revolution in the communication field has come about with the advent of IP telephony services. There are number of questions which many have been trying to get the answers for with regards to this new much hyped VoIP technology. Understanding this technology is crucial since this is going to be the next big thing. This fact is backed by several research findings which point out that the VoIP users grew by 34 million in 2006.

What is VoIP?

Simply put, it is a mode of transmitting calls over the internet. It converts analogue signals into small digital IP packets so that it could be taken by the computer. Digital packets are then reconverted into analogue signals when the reach the listener on the other end. The entire process takes place over the internet.

Equipments Needed For Using It?

You can make use of voice over IP service with the help of a computer or an IP enabled phone, sound card, headset, internet connection and an ATA adapter. This is as simple as it gets!

Benefits of VoIP?

1. Call cost comes down tremendously.

2. Quality of service remains the same as PSTN

3. International and long distance calls at almost half the cost can be made.

4. VoIP service is more efficient and increases productivity.

5. It provides mobility being location independent.

Is It Safe To Make VoIP Calls?

Safety issue definitely comes into picture while using IP service but this can be taken care of by taking the services from a premium VoIP provider. Various safety related options can be utilized like encryption of VoIP signaling i.e. the two protocols- H.323 and SIP. These kinds of options have made a secure telephony service.

Is IP service beneficial for businesses?

Most definitely yes! One of the main advantages is that the total call cost comes down. Try calculating the yearly bill that you get from your PSTN provider with that of a VoIP service. You will be in for a surprise! Moreover with the help of business VoIP you can get a complete solution to all your business needs complete with value added features like follow me and 3 way conferencing at no extra cost. The advantages are infinite. Just be creative and get services from a good provider and see your business flourish!

Why Hasn’t Everyone Opted For VoIP If It’s This Good?

IP call termination is still a relatively new technology and even though increasingly large number of companies and residential are switching over to it, there is still a section which is apprehensive about changing from a service that they have become accustomed to. However it is not long before others too finally make this leap.

Million Dollar Question – Should We Make The Switch To VoIP?

Yes! Undoubtedly one should consider opting for IP termination service for their personal use as well to take this as a business in order to maximize their profits with minimum risks involved.

Why VoIP?

June 9, 2005 · Posted in PSTN · Comment 

Voice Over Internet Protocol delivers the service of converting the analog line into a digital signal so that voice could be transferred through the internet and this proves to be a lot cheaper than the PSTN (public switched telephone network). Voip is the best for making long distance calls in, inexpensive rates.

Voip and IP telephony are fields which have seen extensive growth and they continue to develop efficiently. To obtain the facility of Voip you need to plug an IP phone into your network or you use an adapter, where you can attach it with your phone and then into your computer. When are connecting through Voip using your adapter, you will hear a regular ring tone and the usage would be just the same as your regular phone. You are provided with an option of making a call directly from your computer, with the help of a conventional line. Then your call will be routed to the voip providers through your local telephone company. If you do not have a conventional telephone line, you can make use of the microphones, you could punch the numbers in the keyboard and this will be routed by your cable modem.

You require a broadband connection to optimize the services of voip. Your broadband connection can be your cable modem or any other LAN.

Traditional phones only transfer analog voice which is subjected to many distortions, but in Voip the analog voice is converted into digital voice. And this enhances the communication. The first and foremost advantage of voip is that they are very economical because if you have a voip there is no need for a conventional line, so you are eventually reducing the additional cost of owning a phone line. Another advantage is that your voip connection proves to be mobile as long as you have high speed internet connection available, so if you have an internet connection you can use the voip anywhere. Voip also allows you to use your computer simultaneously when you are speaking through the voip. These voip services make them the best to be used by enterprises of all sizes. Since voip avoids the PSTN, by converting analog voice into digitized packets, the monitory charges associated with the PSTN can be reduced.

As stated earlier voip is best for enterprises or companies, because they are the people who need to make a lot of long distance calls frequently. Voip also allows extension dialing between locations which are situated far apart. So employees in a company can make calls and speak to another co-worker in a different branch in any part of the world. Voip also provides calls transferring services. There are many others enhancements in voip like the Conferencing, voice mail, click to dial and so on.

It has been reported that by 2006 many companies have started implementing voip as a part of their network. And still a lot of companies have planned to take up voip as it provides efficiency and robustness.

Business Relocation Guide for Telaustralia Phones

June 8, 2005 · Posted in PSTN · Comment 

This guide is compiled by Telaustralia on how to deal with relocating business telephone lines and PABX systems.

Business phone companies require plenty of time to book and manage the relocation of your business telephone lines, ensure sufficient notice is given. A PSTN phone line relocation is quite straight forward, however an ISDN order can take 8 weeks. If the moving date changes the network provider will cancel the order and move you to the back of the waiting list. Changing dates will lead to delays. Approximate time frames for relocation are as follows:
PSTN 5 – 7 working days
ISDN 2 10 – 20 working days
ISDN 10/20/30 20 – 60 working days
Office Connect Voice & Data 25 – 40 working days – including Business Grade Internet
ADSL Internet 3 – 7 working days after the PSTN line is functional and the number provided.

PSTN phone lines are generally the first lines to be set up making it possible for your IT staff to configure the service and have it operating preceding the relocation.

Advise the business phone company exact details of the services to be relocated and ensure they are accurate to avoid delays. Consider the following: main line or advertised number
fax number
Any Direct In Dial numbers advertised
Eftpos Numbers
Alarm lines
ADSL lines.

Provide service providers with precise address details. If these details are incorrect, the order can be cancelled and returned to the back of the waiting list. If you are moving to a location serviced by the same exchange there is a likelihood the same phone numbers can be kept, but if not, think about setting up diversions on your original numbers.

Carry out a technical inspection on the relocation site to check internal phone and data cabling is in place for voice, data and print requirements. Make a plan of your requirements and arrange for a contractor to supply the required power, voice, data and print cabling. If the cabling is not already set in place the service provider cannot deliver the services required. Cabling has to be allowed to each desk, computer, printer, any servers you may be operating and where your PABX phone system will be located. Take some time well before relocation to exactly plan requirements with your PABX maintainer, IT staff and phone company to save time and costs.

Choose the right time to relocate, taking into consideration managing your workload and staffing levels to guarantee a hassle free phone relocation. If your business is moving to another area serviced by a different exchange you will be unable to retain your original telephone numbers. You will however be able to divert them for as long as required. There are applicable charges for the diversion service and the diverted line.

Before your PABX can be removed from your old location your PABX technician needs to set diversions to your new numbers. If not completed on time, an emergency diversion has to be set using the telephone exchange. There is a fee for the service diversion and a time delay whilst the emergency service is organized.

It is up to your BABX Maintainer to relocate your PABX Phone System, not your phone company. If relocating the original PABX phone system you need to plan exactly when the system is removed and installed at the new site. The larger the system, the longer the relocation will take. It’s important to understand that the new phone lines need to be active before the phone system can be relocated and configured.