Voicemail has gone on to become an integral part of voice communications, and as users consider switching from traditional PBX phone systems to VoIP, a question that is likely to arise in the mind is how this switch shall affect the functioning of voice mail? Just like with most other phone functions, VoIP also enhances the quality of voicemail by boosting its efficiency and quality. The basic advantage of the centralized voicemail in VoIP phone systems is the ease of interaction between both parties, as well as higher voicemail capacity. Moreover, it also eliminates the need for having voicemail boxes in each cubicle, due to its centralization.

The ease of use of such an interface makes it simple for agents to access voicemail without having to undergo any complex training. Such an enhancement in voicemail functionality leads to better customer satisfaction and ultimately better returns for the company. Some companies might make the mistake of thinking that voicemail management can’t be made better. However, the centralized voicemail feature of VoIP phone systems defies this, by making it possible to use the voicemail system in the central IP office for a remote office system.

The only requirements that you need for this setup are the necessary VoIP lines and the Small Community Network (SCN). Even though it is possible to access the feature in a networked IP office system, but it is highly recommended to get an SCN, due to the unpredictability of the former setup. Your hosted VoIP provider should be able to provide this basic infrastructure to you at a nominal cost. With this done, you shall only require a feature key and voicemail license key for the central system, with which you can then connect any number of remote systems, provided the extension and group numbering is unique for each system. Using the same extensions can pose difficulty during maintenance.

With a centralized voicemail system for VoIP installed, most of the voicemail features can be accessed at remote sites. These include call recording, automated answer, voice messaging, dial by name directory, etc. This simple setup can definitely be a great boost to communication in your office, and is specially suited for multi-location offices.

For affordable centralized VOIP systems in and around Central Texas, kindly visit us at Folkerson Communications Ltd. You can contact us at Austin: (512) 977-0055, Temple: (254) 742-0064, Killeen: (254) 698-0016 and Waco (254) 662-2255.

VoIP has become synonymous to modern communication in offices with most business owners opting for this revolutionary telephone system to optimize communication among employees and with clients. When the question is of multi-location offices, the need for efficient communication is even more than in an ordinary office.  Along with saving significantly on the costs incurred in communication, such a system also uses advanced features to enable employees to make the most of the network.

Multi-location offices could either refer to those with remote branches, sales offices, telecommuters, etc., or could be businesses in which various employees work from home, as is the increasing trend nowadays. If you already have LAN or WAN connectivity for various locations of your business, you will find it simple to upgrade to VoIP, enabling all your employees at different stations to benefit from the system's features.

The benefit of such a system to a company can be understood by the fact that no matter how far the two locations that need to be connected might be, calls can be immediately transferred much like inside the office premises. Not only does this help to cut down on the costs of long-distance calling, but it also helps to enable faster communication. If the call needs to be transferred for a customer, being able to tell them to hold the line instead of having to disconnect can go a long way in improving customer satisfaction and giving a “big company” impression of your business.

By installing a VoIP phone system for multi-location offices, you can enjoy the convenience of dialing a 3-4 digit number to employees at different locations, as if they were in the same office. The best part is that you do not have to have the same settings for all your offices. You can have a different set of features at each branch depending on the requirements, hence helping to cut down on monthly costs. You can easily upgrade any of the configurations at a future point if you need to, without having to increase the capital investment.

To sum it up, VoIP makes for an excellent communication option for multi-site businesses. It makes it possible to add and remove users without any hassle, offers business-grade call clarity, helps to monitor telecommuters, and enables optimal utilization of employees. On top of it all, it also helps to save on office space, hence helping you to contribute your bit towards energy conversation.

For cost effective VOIP systems for multi-location offices in and around Central Texas, visit us at Folkerson Communications Ltd. We can be contacted at Austin: (512) 977-0055, Temple: (254) 742-0064, Killeen: (254) 698-0016 and Waco (254) 662-2255.

Modern structured cabling is a cutting edge data and voice cabling solution which helps in organizing the various wiring components used in communication and data transmission. Most new constructions are choosing to adopt structured cabling of their networks due to the myriad benefits this system provides. It is advisable to install the structured wiring at the initial stages of construction to save on the costs incurred in retrofitting at a later stage. Once installed, this structured cabling can be used for all major electronic components at the workplace, including telephones, fax machines, internet access, computers and peripheral devices, etc.

By converging all cabled equipment into a single component, structured cabling eliminates the need to install separate cabling like Ethernet and ISDN for different purposes. In addition to this, it is also easier to modify structured cabling to keep up with changing technology, which makes it a dynamic solution for business owners. The infrastructure for structured cabling system is clean and simple, which makes it easy for users to make any needed modifications, as compared to when using a complex phone system. Whether you need to add a new component into the system, or remove one, there is no need to start the wiring all over again with a structured network.

Another benefit of modern structured cabling in offices is that if one component of the system stops working for any reason, this does not affect the remaining components, which is not the case in a conventional network. Each problem remains isolated, which makes it easy to solve it without affecting the functioning of the remaining system. By installing structured cabling into your office building during its construction, you are adding value to this property, should you need to sell it at any point in the future. It instantly makes it go from being just a building into a modern office space with advanced networking solutions.

It is not an overstatement to say that structured cabling is being viewed as the fourth essential utility during the construction process, along with telephone systems, and electricity. With an increasing number of builders being familiar with the process of installing structured cabling, it is high time that the awareness spreads to those getting offices constructed. The standards laid down by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) ensure that all products meet a set level of quality, making it easier for business owners to steer free of inferior cabling and components.

We at Folkerson Communications LTD provide you with state of the art structured cabling for new construction projects as well as existing structures all around Central Texas. For more information, contact us Austin: (512) 977-0055, Temple: (254) 742-0064, Killeen: (254) 698-0016 and Waco: (254) 662-2255

With a well-designed network structure in your organization, you have an intact core for the functioning of all other modalities. The key elements of an effective data and voice communication network are high speed of transmission, flexibility, security, and most importantly, reliability. Structured cabling brings together all these features, in a simple, user-friendly interface, making critical communication streamlined by enabling its smooth functioning. This takes away the common complaint of a network being down, which is typical to conventional cabling solutions. By eliminating this downtime, the organization can function with much greater efficiency and endpoint satisfaction.

By installing a single structured cabling solution, organizations can solve problems related to both telephone as well as data networking. This infrastructure is a one-time investment which caters to the present communication needs of the firm, as well as those foreseen in the future. It is aptly referred to as “structured”, since it uses a single interface to organize the entire cabling system, right from voice and data to video, which is becoming an integral part of the communication system in modern-day businesses. More complex management systems that can be a part of a particular industry can also be integrated into this structured cabling.

The biggest advantage of such a system from the user’s point of view is the saving on investment that is promised by structured cabling. In addition to this, organizations can also benefit greatly from the enhanced administrative and managerial capabilities that are made possible by these requirements being channelized to a single point. The ease of labeling and coloring in such a system makes it easy to identify different work outlets at the centralized network room, further contributing to the simplification of networking. Along with these major advantages, structured cabling also has a provision for change and flexibility, which is vital to every growing organization.

By choosing structured cabling as the networking solution for your organization, the major benefit that you shall have is in cost reduction, as the vendor will provide the needed hardware and applications. In addition to this, the same cabling systems can be adopted for voice, data, and video, further contributing to cost efficiency. Furthermore, you shall have minimum upgrade inconvenience if you wish to incorporate additional multimedia features into your organization’s networking at any point in the future. Finally, troubleshooting is greatly simplified with structured cabling, since it can be divided into different components, with only the faulty component needed to be fixed.

We at Folkerson Communications LTD provides you with reliable and cost effective structured cabling for big as well as small offices and organizations across Central Texas. For more information, contact us Austin: (512) 977-0055, Temple: (254) 742-0064, Killeen: (254) 698-0016 and Waco: (254) 662-2255.

As the owner of a small business, you should be looking for a phone system that offers advanced features that would add to the functioning of your company, along with being cost-effective. However, considering that advanced features and complex troubleshooting go hand in hand, this might mean investing in an IT team as well, unless of course, the idea of futzing with them yourself sounds appealing. This makes a hosted VoIP phone system ideal for your business, since it offers you the latest technology in terms of communication, while allowing you to focus on the more dire needs of your business.

Here are the top reasons why hosted VoIP is a good choice for small businesses-

• It does not require you to have any on-site infrastructure, since the Private Branch Exchange (PBX) is hosted by the vendor, who then routes calls to your company via the internet. This leads to cost saving on the initial investment, as well as labor charges.
• With everything being monitored online, you can cut unwanted connections at any time, or add new ones, depending on how you wish to resize your organization. This adds to the flexibility of your business, without the need to invest in any new infrastructure, or get rid of old one.
• One of the biggest benefits of having a hosted VoIP telephone system is the ease of troubleshooting that you can avail. All problems can be solved immediately over the internet, which means that you do not need to have in-house technical experts.
• With the VoIP technology evolving rapidly, there are new updates that need to be made constantly. Having a hosted system means that you do not need to worry about making these updates on your own, or about your VoIP system becoming obsolete due to the lack of updates.
• Apart from these factors, you also get all the benefits that VoIP itself has for small business owners. These include low cost of international and long-distance calls, advanced features that enhance employee productivity and customer satisfaction, call mobility, voice mail, integrated communication, etc.

The features that hosted VoIP offers will not just make the communication with business partners and clients smoother, but will also give your small business a big business image. Add to this the convenience and cost saving that you, as the business owner will benefit from, and you have the ideal phone system for your small business.

We at Folkerson Communication, LTD provide VOIP phone systems for small businesses. For more information, contact us at Austin: (512) 977-0055, Temple: (254) 742-0064, Killeen: (254) 698-0016 and Waco: (254) 662-2255.

With telephones being the major form of internal as well as external communication at the workplace, making the right choice of a phone system for your business is an important decision. As a business owner, you need to take into consideration the current needs of your business, as well as the probability of future expansion while choosing a telephone system. It is advisable to shortlist vendors and options of telephone systems, and take your time to review all your options, and if possible even test a few, before finally deciding in which one to invest.

VoIP, short for Voice Over Internet Protocol is a godsend for small and medium business enterprises, and is emerging as the choice of communication among most contemporary businesses. As the name suggests, VoIP calling makes use of the internet, which means that you can stay in touch using your office number, no matter where in the world you are. Some of the major advantages of VoIP for business calls are-

• You can make free calls after paying for your mobile data plan, since calls made on VoIP are routed over the internet. This is opposed to traditional PTSN phone systems, where time literally is money.
• VoIP is especially advantageous for businesses that involve a lot of remote work, since it allows you to contact employees on their notebook PCs and other computer devices. With hot-desking and flexible working hours becoming the norm in most companies, it is important to have a way to keep in touch outside the brick and mortar setting of your office. 
• If your business involves making a lot of international or long-distance calls, VoIP can result in substantial cost efficiency, by lowering your telephone bills. Research shows that you can save 40% on local calls, and up to 90% on international calls using VoIP.
• VoIP also offers several useful additional features like call conferencing, call transfer, retrieving voice mails, presence technology, unified communication etc., which can help to boost both employee efficiency, as well as customer satisfaction.
• By opting for a hosted VoIP telephone system, you can save a lot of time and money in the initial investment, as well as troubleshooting and future expansion. Your VoIP provider will be able to manage all aspects of your telephone system over the internet.
• If your business bills clients directly for time spent on the phone, VoIP can make it easier to monitor call time.

We at Folkerson Communications LTD provide you with state-of-the-art business phone systems at affordable price. For more information on our various solutions and products call us at Austin: (512) 977-0055, Temple: (254) 742-0064, Killeen: (254) 698-0016 and Waco: (254) 662-2255.

The purpose of any business is to make profits, and one of the numerous ways of achieving this is to cut down on the running costs. Businesses today are switching over to hosted phone systems as a means of improving their efficiency and saving on their costs. These phone systems use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) for the company’s communication needs. It is an extremely reliable way of making calls within the office and its branches all over the world.

The following is a list of some of the major benefits of using hosted telephone systems:

• Companies feel they can focus better on their business activities without having to worry about a snag in the communications system of the business, as the hosting company will take care of the installation, maintenance and upgradation.  In the old PBX systems, any fault in the telephone line would make everything go haywire, wasting the precious time of the business and leading to additional costs of repair.
• The VoIP systems are very neat as compared to the old phone systems as all the telephone infrastructure is kept at a different location and the business premises only have the phone sets.
• Hosted phone systems have cheaper installation and operating costs.
• A lot of time is saved as there is no need to punch different numbers for contacting one another in the office and just a single number will suffice.
• These systems are highly scalable and change according to the growing requirements of the business without interrupting the day-to-day operations. Multiple extensions are added to the existing system without any additional costs or equipment.
• VoIP phone systems have an automated attendant who performs the role of a virtual receptionist cutting on the expenses of a real one.
• Employees enjoy greater flexibility as they can even work from the comfort of their own homes provided they have a computer and a reliable internet connection. This is good for the business too as employees are always connected to their work irrespective of whether they come to the office or not thus increasing the productivity.
• Such a system also improves the customer services as you can instantly have access to important customer information the moment you receive a call or email from him or her. This saves on your time with each customer and increases your efficiency.

If you are looking for Hosted VoIP phone system for your business, contact us at Folkerson Communications, LTD. We provide customized and affordable VoIP services in and around Central Texas. For more details, you can call us at Austin: (512) 977-0055, Temple: (254) 742-0064, Killeen: (254) 698-0016 and Waco: (254) 662-2255.

Choosing a VoIP phone system for your business can be a tricky affair, with the myriad features to choose from. While it is important to ensure that you are making the most of the service and are not missing out on any essential features, it is equally important to cut on the cost by eliminating some unnecessary features. Enlisted below are the top features that every hosted business VoIP must have-

• Lines and extensions- This is one of the first things that you need to determine while choosing the service that is right for you. You need to know how many of your employees will need direct lines, and how many will need extensions (usually all employees).
• Unlimited calling plan- While this is a very commonly found feature in Canada and the United States, you should ask your service provider for it if you are stationed elsewhere.
• Unified messaging- This is a time-saving option that integrates your voice mail into your e-mail, hence helping you in deciding which voice mail is important and which isn't, without having to hear them all.
• Smart phone integration- Using this feature, you can use your smart phone to access voice mails and even make unlimited calls from your VoIP number, when you are out of your office.
• Auto-attendant- If you wish to get that “big business feel”, this might be a feature worth considering. It automatically attends calls, and routes them to different numbers.
• Internet fax- You can use your business VoIP to send and receive faxes over the internet, without the need for an analog phone line.
• Conference calls and web conferencing- This feature eliminates the need for a bridge number, and is especially useful for businesses that have employees stationed at remote areas.
• Toll-free number- This is a great feature for companies that regularly receive calls from customers.

You need to take the individual needs of your business, and the purpose that you would like to achieve from your business VoIP into account, to decide which of these features you need to include in your service. While most of these features require a negligible extra amount to be paid, they can go a long way in making your VoIP service a complete communication solution for your business.

We at Folkerson Communications provide complete and affordable VOIP solutions for businesses in Austin and other Central Texas areas. For more information about our services, feel free to call us at Austin: (512) 977-0055, Temple: (254) 742-0064, Killeen: (254) 698-0016 and Waco (254) 662-2255.

IP telephony has come as a major revolution in communication in the business world. It refers to the use of Internet Protocol (IP) network to enable a wide range of communications, ranging from audio and video to wireless communication. IP Telephony has effectively replaced PTSN (Public Switched Telephone Networks) in most business firms, thanks to the wide reaching benefits that it offers. Some of them are listed below-

• Cost-saving-

1. IP telephony helps to streamline communication by converging voice and data networks, hence reducing costs. Businesses that have switched to IP telephony are making long-distance calls for just a few cents per minute.
2. The consolidation of voice and data networks also helps in cutting down on Information Technology costs, by eliminating the need to have two separate teams to handle each of these entities.
3. The business firm does not need to invest in any physical ports, with an Internet based server being the only requisite in terms of infrastructure.               

• Enhanced productivity-

1. IP telephony has also been found to enhance the productivity of employees supporting a wide range of applications and devices. It enables employees at various locations of a single business firm to work in synchronization through a single converged network.
2. Employees can make use of a variety of calling features like web conferencing and IP video conferencing to make the most of this multi-site connectivity.
3. They can also incorporate their phone functionality into their computer, to facilitate mobile connectivity.
4. With each user having an independent IP phone profile, it makes no difference where the employee is located at the time of communication.
5. This is especially beneficial for call centers, where users can sign in on the system from wherever they are, and join in the call center team instantly.

• Better functionality-

1. From the business point of view, IP telephony helps to improve resiliency owing to the ease of troubleshooting offered by a hosted services. Any error in the functionality can be corrected within minutes, and data, voice/video traffic can be automatically redirected around such failures.
2. Moreover, considering how important effective communication with customers is for any business, the improved customer responsiveness offered by IP telephony is also an added advantage.
3. Such a system is more adaptable to changes in terms of the number of systems or the business location, without the need of an outside vendor.

By evaluating the cost of your current telephone system, as well as your employee productivity and customer service benefits, you can make the decision of whether you are ready to switch to IP.

For VoIP Phone Systems in Austin, Waco, Dallas, Killeen and other Central Texas areas, kindly contact us at Folkerson Communications. We can be contacted at these numbers - Austin: (512) 977-0055, Temple: (254) 742-0064, Killeen: (254) 698-0016 and Waco (254) 662-225.

Effective communication is a key element to a successful business, which is what makes it increasingly important to choose the right telephone system for your business. Since this shall have an impact on your relations with prospective clients, existing customers, business partners, affiliates, and all the people who really matter in your business, it is advisable to take out time to do some research and evaluate your options before you finally choose a telephone system for your business.

Some of the important factors that you need to take into account are the size of your business, future plans for expansions, nature of calls, estimated budget, etc. Here, we shall enlist the major reasons that make the choice of a telephone system important for your business-

• In most cases, your telephone system is the only form of interaction that your clients will ever have with you. This makes it important to make an extra effort to strike a favorable impression.
• An ineffective telephone system will mean hampered communication, which is bound to have a direct impact on your sales and productivity.
• A telephone system that offers additional features like call conferencing, call transfer, call forwarding, text chatting, etc., can help to significantly boost employee productivity.
• With a coming-of-age telephone system in place, being out of office for a week does not mean missing out on what’s going on, since such phone systems facilitate on-the-go connectivity, enabling you to take your phone connection with you wherever you go!
• A phone system that employs the latest VoIP technology can make it possible to make international calls at the cost of local calls, which is a great feature for those who mainly need to make long-distance calls for their business. The reduction in phone bills results in long-term savings, which can be utilized in ventures that are more productive.
• Choosing the right telephone system usually means having a reliable service provider when inevitable technical faults arise. Phone systems that are operated over the internet do not even need the technicians to be present in person, as troubleshooting can be done within minutes over the internet.
• By choosing the right telephone system for your business, you can easily make changes in the size of your business without having to worry about either getting rid of previous equipment, or arranging for new ones. Your service provider will be able to accommodate these changes with the minimum inconvenience caused to your business.

We at Folkerson Communications LTD provide you with state-of-the-art telephone systems for small, medium and large business enterprises. For more information or query, you can visit us at 6448 E Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78723 or call us at (512) 977-0055. We are also available at other locations across Central Texas and can be contacted at Temple: (254) 742-0064, Killeen: (254) 698-0016 and Waco: (254) 662-2255.