Tag Archives: business
Should You be Using a VPN?
You may already know what a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is but are you using one? If youre not using one, theres a high likelihood that you really should be using a VPN. When it comes to the reasons why there are a number of them. But before we get into those it would probably be beneficial to review exactly what a VPN is for those of you out there that dont know.
A VPN, according to Wikipedia, is “a technology for using the Internet or another intermediate network to connect computers to isolated remote computer networks that would otherwise be inaccessible.” Utilizing a VPN will give a user varying levels of security so that the traffic sent through the connection stays isolated from other computers on the immediate network. They can be used to connect individual users to a remote network or even to connect multiple networks together, depending upon the needs of the user. In doing so it gives users the ability to access resources on remote networks, such as databases, files, or printers. Also, due to the way VPNs function it gives users the impression that they are directly connected to the central network.
One of the most significant things to know about a VPN though is that it secures your computers Internet connection to guarantee that all of the data youre sending and receiving is encrypted and secured from prying eyes. This very reason is why VPNs should probably be utilized more often by businesses and their employees. Also, a VPN alone is just a way to reinforce your security and access resources on a network youre not physically connected to.
So why does all this matter? It matters because there is a growing trend within todays workforce for employees to work remotely or while on the road. As a result, there are many times when that employee is using a public wifi connection to perform their work which can pose a major security risk depending upon the data being transferred. This security risk occurs because many people dont realize that it isnt too terribly difficult for snoopers to capture that data. So whether its what youre writing in your email messages, posting to your Facebook page, or even buying on-line they are able to capture that with any of the readily accessible and easy-to-use programs that are out there.
Meaning that if the employee is sending sensitive and confidential emails at a local cafe shop those emails have a possibility of being intercepted and the sensitive information contained within them being exposed. Thereby potentially putting your business at risk. Which is definitely not a good thing.
Although there are many more good examples for why you should be using a VPN, for the sake of brevity, we wont get into them. The main purpose or intent, if you will, in discussing the issue of VPNs is to inform you as an employee or you as a business owner of the potential security risks that could already be occurring within your business on a day-to-day level and to make sure that you are fully aware of those risks so that you can take the necessary actions to ensure your business isnt unnecessarily vulnerable.
Why Upgrade Your Telephone System
Why Upgrade Your Current Business Telephone System
There are so many solutions out there when it comes to telephone systems for business, it can sometimes be difficult for businesses to correctly asses the telecommunications market for an effective solution. With leading brands such as Panasonic, NEC, Samsung, Cisco, Avaya, LG, BT, Yealink & much more it can be confusing. Whenever your business considers upgrading the telephone system ask yourself this question. Does the phone system meet your requirements/ expectations?
Signs You Need To Upgrade Your Telephone System
Due to the ever changing nature of telephony & technology, both customer and business requirements are frequently evolving.
& 10003; Your business phone system is unable to grow alongside your business.
& 10003; Your business telephone system has a lack of features.
& 10003; Your enterprise has a system for each facility.
& 10003; Poor or crackly voice calls.
& 10003; Cant cope with large amounts of call volume.
& 10003; Your telephone system is not compatible with VoIP.
& 10003; Your system system will not support mobile telecommunications
Things To Consider For A Telephone System Upgrade
& 10003; How could your current phone system operate in the manner you would like it to.
& 10003; How can you improve the communications infrastructure in your business.
& 10003; Does your business require dect or desk based telephones.
& 10003; Could your business benefit from Cloud, VoIP & SIP future-proofed telephony.
& 10003; Is there any specific features that your business would like to take advantage of.
& 10003; If your current telephone system stopped functioning, is it covered by maintenance.
& 10003; Could your business benefit from Unifying its Communications.
Features & Functionalities To Consider When Upgrading Your Telephone System
& 10003; Call Recording
Call recording can aid your business to improve & monitor its communications infrastructure, monitor your staffs performance with call recording which will help the training process. Also in-wake of the recent hoax communications Schools & Academies have been receiving, call recording has helped to protect Schools from hoax terrorist threats.
& 10003; Call Reporting
Call reporting, again can help your business to analyse & improve the current telecommunication infrastructure. Has your business ever missed call? Was that missed call a potential opportunity? With call reporting you can manage your sales staff & in-coming inquiries, i.e. how long does it take for an in-coming inquiry to be answered. Call reporting within the sales environment can help your business identify the efficiency of the person on the telephone.
& 10003; Computer Telephony Integration
Computer telephony integration refers to a set of technologies which allows your business to incorporate telephony into any given computer. CTI solutions allow businesses to become much more efficient as there is a sense of increased mobility within the workplace, this has been proven within many industries.
& 10003; Call Conferencing
With call conferencing your business can eliminate the need for face to face meetings/ discussions. By simply communicating through teleconferencing, your business will negate the need of having to make multiple phone calls. Simply make one call and conference all the needed recipients into the call. In many cases it saves time, money and helps businesses avoid situations of miscommunication.
& 10003; Music On Hold
In some cases 34% of callers who hang up will not call back, or even that 54% of callers believe that a business sounds more professional if there is bespoke professional music & or messaging playing. Music on hold is key for businesses, impress your clients with bespoke music & informative messaging.
How Can My Business Benefit From A Telephone System Upgrade?
We would advise any business to review your communications if the set-up no longer meets your requirements. If the system is dated and no longer meets the needs of the business, it is time to review your communications. We would also advise businesses to consider upgrading their telephone system due to the ISDN & Analogue line switch off set for 2025, all businesses will need to be migrated to Cloud, SIP or VoIP by 2025. You could upgrade your telephone system now & take full advantage of a system that is future-proofed which incorporates the latest features, which in turn helps improve efficiency & productivity of the business.