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Selkowitz Technology | Seattle’s small business network and telecom consultant
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- How To: Transfer User Profiles to a New Computer
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This Weeks Featured Article
Are Open Source PBXs Best for Small Business?
The tech industry has been pushing the concept of Open Source PBXs as opposed to commercial systems, claiming more functionality and lower costs. I can’t agree though, I think these articles fail to separate the old generation from the new generation of commercial phone systems.
Commercial phone systems have traditionally been expensive systems with limited features which could only be managed by expensive professionals. But companies like Allworx and Talkswitch make very feature rich, user friendly systems which end-users can manage at a price far less than traditional phone systems like Mitel, Inter-Tel and Avaya.
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What You Need to Know About Leaving VoIP
We’ve recently had a rash of businesses want to leave VoIP carriers like Packet 8 and Vonage due to call quality issues. The first thing to know is the origin of the phone number - if the phone number originated with a traditional carrier then its easy to bring it back, though it often takes […]
Why Looking at new Phone Service with a new Phone System Makes Sense
One of the universal truths is no one likes talking to the guy trying to sell them phone service. But in many cases when a business is looking at a new phone system, its a good time to talk phone service as well to make an optimal package.
For example one job we did recently the […]
How to Have Direct Inward Dial Numbers (DID) Without a T1
Most small businesses are happy with normal phone lines and a receptionist or autoattendant to route calls. But some small businesses want numbers which ring directly to certain extensions, best known as a DID.
Traditionally to have DIDs you need a T1 or PRI plus a compatible phone system. The issue here is cost, a T1/PRI […]
Finally a VoIP Plan that Makes Sense
VoIP line plans aren’t like traditional lines in the case of business VoIP. Where a traditional phone line is flat rate in a local calling area, VoIP usually has no concept of local calls and lines are either metered (per minute inbound and outbound with no local calling area) or flat rate nationwide. These kinds […]
Talkswitch vs. Allworx - Small Business Phone Systems Compared
I recently had the opportunity to install an Allworx system for a client that wanted the Allworx system specifically. Most of our systems are Talkswitch systems, so I use Talkswitch as a benchmark for other systems.
Functionality
The Allworx has an impressive feature set, beyond a full feature phone system, its a router/firewall, network server, and more. […]
How To: Transfer User Profiles to a New Computer the Even Easier Way
A while back I wrote an article How to Transfer User Profiles and while that article is still useful for certain situations, if the old computer still boots there’s now an easier way! Forensit has a beta of User Profile Transfer Wizard, which makes moving systems a piece of cake.
Download the program on the […]
Its easy to leave an Avvanta (Blarg) Phone System for Talkswitch
This past little bit I’ve talked with a number of companies looking to leave behind their Avvanta/Blarg IP phone system due to support and call quality issues. The good news is its an easy switch and in some cases can even reduce monthly costs!
We’ve been replacing Avvanta’s proprietary computer-based system with the Talkswitch Phone System. […]
Talkswitch Wins VON Magazine Innovator Award for VoIP Systems
VON Magazine recently awarded Talkswitch with their Innovator Award for companies representing the future of Internet Communications (VoIP). Given to only 65 companies worldwide, this award truly goes to only the top achievers in the communications industry.
The VON Magazine Innovator Award follows on the heels of TalkSwitch being named the absolute best VoIP phone system […]
When SIP Trunking (VoIP) Makes Sense
VoIP is all the rage and hype in the telecommunications business, but VoIP can mean many things and its fitness for a specific purpose varies greatly. When it comes to replacing traditional phone (PSTN) lines with SIP trunks I always hesitate because its not right for every small business.
SIP trunks often are delivered two different […]
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