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Understanding Ethernet Over Copper In Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma

Kevin Selkowitz — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:59:34 +0000

Ethernet Over Copper is a new kind of high bandwidth internet connection which will range from 5-30Mb. There will inevitably be many comparisons to cable, DSL, bonded T1s, and fiber.

What separates this connection from DSL and Cable is a matching upload rate (a.k.a. synchronous). Cable and DSL can now offer download speeds of up to ~16Mb but their upload speeds still deliver a pokey .75-2Mb. For offices doing primarily web surfing this is fine, but for sending files, hosting web and email servers, Citrix, VPNs, SaaS, VoIP, etc you need a high bandwidth synchronous connection. (more…)

Costco AccessLine Digital Phone System - How Does it Stack Up?

Kevin Selkowitz — Thu, 22 May 2008 05:11:15 +0000

I recently received a Costco email about their specials including a “Digital Phone System for Small or Home Business”. This system is a Mitel 1000 with Accessline service its an interesting bundle, but not necessarily better than options like Talkswitch. (more…)

Are Open Source PBXs Best for Small Business?

Kevin Selkowitz — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:18:41 +0000

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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The Small Business PBX Phone System Checklist

Kevin Selkowitz — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:23:18 +0000

Looking for a new phone system for your small business? The good news is there’s more options than ever before…the bad news is you need to wade through more options than ever before. Here’s a few things to keep in mind.
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Response Point vs Talkswitch - a comparison of small business phone systems

Kevin Selkowitz — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:32:47 +0000

Microsoft has been getting a great deal of press recently for their new Response Point small business phone system. While they’re trying to pitch it as a breakthrough, there are some really great well established small business phone systems worth comparing it to. For comparison I’ve decided to compare Talkswitch - which Small Business Computing Magazine recently recognized as “the absolute best in small business.” (more…)

Is Flat Rate Long Distance Right For My Business?

Kevin Selkowitz — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:23:03 +0000

Many of the business telecom carriers are rolling out flat long distance service packages to counter the VoIP services. While these can sometimes be of benefit, its worth a bit of math to be sure.

For example Verizon was offering my client 5 lines, features, and flat LD for $350/mo plus fees and taxes. With Integra as I proposed they would get the same 5 lines and features for just over $100 plus fees and taxes. To make up the difference the client would need to spend over 5000 minutes on long distance each month - something few businesses that size do. (more…)

Hosted Exchange vs. In-House Groupware - Does Hosted Really Cut Costs?

Kevin Selkowitz — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:49:43 +0000

Last week a customer called me up to tell me about this “new” service called The Message Center where you can have your Exchange Server hosted and managed externally for just $10/month for each user. He thought for a mere $150 a month he’d have worry free email and never have to pay an “expensive” consultant again for changes or support.

This client’s dislike of hosting Exchange in house was justified - his previous consultant had sold them an overpriced glorified desktop with Windows Small Business Server, no backup system, ineffective antispam, and the server resided under their reception desk.

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Is Lotus Notes 8 the Best Office Alternative?

Kevin Selkowitz — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:58:04 +0000

While Microsoft Office is a great product, at $200-500 per desk Office can be a large part of a small business’s technology budget. Just consider a business with 10 desks will spend $2000-5000 just on Microsoft Office.

Understandably many small businesses are looking for alternatives. OpenOffice (free, open source) is the leading alternative and is quite suitable for many businesses…but lacks a product like Outlook.

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Why Hosted VoiP Doesn’t Add Up

Kevin Selkowitz — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 07:23:19 +0000

Hosted VoiP PBX services are very tempting to small businesses as many offer unlimited long distance and minimal startup cost as there’s no PBX to buy. The reality is the dollars usually don’t add up to a winning proposition.

Take for example a mortgage company I recently talked with. They’re growing and at their next stage of growth they’re looking at needing a phone system with 30 phones and 14,000 minutes of long distance. Given their current long distance bill and concern over paying $10000-20000 for a phone system, they looked VoiP and found they could get all that for $1300/mo.

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