PBXc

How Does B.Y.O.D Impact UC?

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:22:08 +0000

The discussion of BYOD or “Bring Your Own Device” has become a hot topic among service providers, IT teams and users themselves. We have clearly entered an age of “extreme compatibility”. By that I mean, each and every device can (or should) be able to interoperate with any other system, on a technical level. Hence, the only barrier to connectivity should be authorization, authentication and roles.

Users have developed an innate belief that their device “should” work anywhere, with any other system. This belief is clearly a result of the explosion in the mobile smart phone that has produced over a million apps that allows the user to connect to virtually any system, play any game, see any image, and find any content.

With that reality in play, it is now literally impossible to tell a user…”Your device will not work here”. The user knows this is not a proper response. They have too much experience seeing their device connect to anything and everything. From here the user is now confronted with inferring the real issue is with “desire” vs. “compatibility”.

Now we can assert the real issue. BYOD is a “business decision” not a “technology decision”. I would suggest that there are two very different motivations for each type of decision. Unfortunately, too many companies are conflicted with this bifurcation because they too often confuse these two types of decisions.

We are in a situation where the enterprise (or company) is confused, but the user is not. To the user, the answer is simple. To the enterprise the answer is complex.

Enter, “consumerization of IT”. Now we know why users are the drivers of todays productivity tools. No longer does enterprise have the answer. Rather, users have the answer, and it is right in their hands.

So what does this mean for UC?

If you ask me, the answer to this question is right before us. Users will bring their device to UC, and it will most likely be mobile.

What does that mean? I think, in concept, it is quite simple. I think the technical implementation is not too difficult either and will become even easier as the “business decision” related to device control is replaced with a “productivity decision”. Once companies get to a productivity decision, its game over. BYOD will be the answer.

For UC this means I “join” my employers UC cloud, just like I join their wi-fi network. My voice device is then part of their communications infrastructure, which will undoubtedly be virtual. From then on, my device works within this virtual, private cloud of voice and data. What happens when its time for me to go? Well, they simply remove my device from the allowable list of users and I move onto the next cloud.

Is this far off? NO. Mobile providers are already doing this. I can move from one mobile provider (cloud) to another. Are we really just a step away from our other services, down to the company level, or even the personal home network, doing the exact same thing?

There are certainly going to be a hundred conferences or sessions on the topic for years to come as it all “gets worked out”.

A word of caution to the users…get ready to be prepared for your next employer, client, partner, etc, to expect your readiness for the next wave of IT.

Mark Castleman Joins ITExpo Panel: “Can UC Get Social?”

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:54:15 +0000

Businesses have for years been exploring options around unified communications, including feature set comparisons, delivery model alternatives, and integration with existing technology. They also have started, more recently, to consider what social media means to them – and how they might be able to leverage similar capabilities within their organizations to foster collaboration and teamwork with increased efficiency.

This session will explore the synergies between Unified Communications and Social Media and how a combination of the two can offer measurable benefits to the enterprise community. Panelists will discuss the basic value propositions of UC and Enterprise Social Networking and offer examples how to effectively combine the two for greater value.

Information on the Session at ITExpo February 3rd, 2012: Can UC Get Social?

Propelling Collaboration: The Nexus of Voice, Collaboration and Social Media

admin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:38:23 +0000

For many communications technology professionals, myself included, one of the most promising and exciting IP-based technologies to enter the marketplace in the past 10 years has got to be collaboration tools. The ability to initiate and conduct video and web conference calls, share documents, and remain productive while on the road has certainly impacted many businesses and enterprises that have come to rely upon these solutions. In essence, collaboration tools have helped businesses improve a number of processes, like shortening sales cycles, improving customer service, and reducing travel-related costs. At a high level, collaboration is an impressive technology that can tangibly improve business performance.

Continue Reading at TMC…

CEO Mark Castleman Joins Panel on “Collaboration Across the Firewall” at E2.0 Conference in Santa Clara

admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:48:07 +0000

Service providers and vendors are rapidly enabling presence federation, intercompany video conferencing and document sharing enabling collaboration across enterprise boundaries. Meanwhile many business users aren’t waiting for IT and are leveraging consumer or cloud-based services to foster external collaboration. As companies embrace these services what are the risks? The opportunities? And the rewards? What is real and what isn’t? And how should collaboration architects integrate extranet services into their architectures?

PBX Central CEO Mark Castleman To Participate in Panel Session at IT EXPO West

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:54:53 +0000

“Innovation for Real-Time Business Collaboration” Will Highlight New Approaches to Providing Robust, Intuitive and Cost-Effective Collaboration Services Austin, TX, September 7, 2011 Mark Castleman, chief executive officer of PBX Central, a leading provider of hosted voice solutions for enterprise customers, will participate in a panel discussion on new collaboration technologies at IT Expo West.

Continue Reading here…

Tribune Media’s ForSaleByOwner.com Finds a Home with PBX Central

admin — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:22:20 +0000

If you are in the business of helping folks sell their most valuable asset, a home, doesn’t it make sense to give these same folks a simple and reliable way for buyers to contact them or get more information?

Of course.

ForSaleByOwner found that their clients needed to give potential buyers a direct way to reach the seller and also allow the seller a unique opportunity to describe their property in their own voice.

Let’s face it, buyers are on the road and need information on a property quickly and many times the buyer calls that property while standing in front of the property itself! ForSaleByOwner found out early their users would appreciate and value the ability to record a descriptive voice message about the property. Such an information rich listing ability enhances street appeal and information flow between buyer and seller.

Looking for interesting ways to serve your clients and callers? Give PBX Central a call today and lets discuss your needs and find a solution to bring you value where you can share that value with your clients, too.

Paul Janowitz of Sentient Services Describes PBX Central Experience

admin — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:29:37 +0000

We look out for our clients every step of the way. Paul Janowitz of Sentient Services, www.sentientservices.com, speaking about his PBX Central experience…

“Our office relies on collaboration and communication. We could not be more pleased with our switch to PBXc. The sound quality is great, customer service excellent, the roll-out was flawless – they managed everything for each employee, provided clear instructions, could not have been easier. One very happy customer!”

Paul Janowitz
CEO and Founder

Sentient Services

Record Greetings from IP Phone (w/Examples)

admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:47:33 +0000

Looking to record greetings? Need a printed guide with samples? Click here.

Step 1: Login to your account

Dial “ * 11 “ from your Desk Phone
- Enter your passcode when prompted

Step 2: Customize your Voice Mail

Upon Login, you will be presented with options relevant to your account type.

Press “8” – User Options
- Follow prompts to:
  - Record “Main Greeting”
  - Record “Nametag”
  - Update Passcode

Suggested Main Greeting:

“Hello, you have reached the voice mail of [name]. I am currently unavailable or

away from my office. Please leave a detailed message and I will return your call

promptly. Thanks and have a great day.”

Suggested Nametag:

“[name], extension [ext]”

Park and Pick Up Command

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:57:49 +0000

These Instructions will help you Park and Pick Up calls:

Park a Call

While on a call press “ *0 ” (star zero)
- System will issue a parked line code.
- [park code] will be a number like “sixteen” or “fourteen”
- System will say, “Parked on sixteen, parked on sixteen…”
  - System will repeat code.
  - Note parked line code issued by system.
  - Hang up handset
Note:
- Calls which are not picked up with 90 seconds will ring back to the phone which parked the call.

Pick Up a Call

From any phone in your Company Dial the Pick Up Command [* 99] + [park code]
- Such as: “ * 99 22”
  - Instructions:
    - Enter digits on phone as “* 99 22″
    - Press DIAL
  - System will connect you to the parked call.
    - This example will pick up a call parked on park code 22.
  - If there is not a call on the parked line you entered, the system will notify you of the error.

Call Transfer Instructions for IP Phones

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:33:53 +0000

This guide will help you:

Warm Transfer Calls
- This method allows you to talk to another IP Phone prior to transferring the call
Blind Transfer Calls
- This method allows you to send the call to another IP Phone IMMEDIATELY

Step 1: Warm Transfer

Inbound Call Arrives
1. Answer Call and begin talking
2. Press TRANSFER key on the phone
  1. This automatically places the caller on HOLD
3. Enter the destination Extension (10 digit telephone number – if you want to transfer to an outside line)
  1. Press DIAL
4. Talk to the destination party when they pick up
5. Press TRANSFER AGAIN (this step will send the call to the transfer target)
  1. Call has been transferred
NOTE:
1. If the transfer target does NOT wish to speak to the calling party…
  1. Press CANCEL and you will be returned to the original caller

Step 2: Blind Transfer

Inbound Call Arrives
1. Answer Call and begin talking
2. Press TRANSFER key on the phone
  1. This automatically places the caller on HOLD
3. Press the BLIND key (this is the special step for Blind Transfers)
4. Enter the destination Extension (10 digit telephone number – if you want to transfer to an outside line)
  1. Press DIAL
  1. Call transfers Immediately to the transfer target Phone
NOTE:
1. The caller will be directly transferred as if they called the transfer phone directly