Voice Over Internet Protocol is the Cloud Phone Solution Many Businesses Turn to for Scalability and Affordability

Are you losing hours each week setting up video calls?

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You could be losing a full-time working week for every member of your team, thanks to the hassle of setting up video calls.

Video conferencing has revolutionized team meetings, and saves a huge amount of travel time. But we’re still not getting the full benefit from the new technology, according to new research.

Employees aged between 18 and 24 take up to 10 minutes to get set up for each remote meeting.

Times that by a typical five meetings a week, and it’s suddenly lost you 40 hours every year. That’s a whole working week of wasted time – a figure that gets even higher when you look at older age brackets.

It isn’t necessarily a result of differing technological know-how. The research shows that employees blame the tech itself for the loss of productivity.

Almost a third of people said they didn’t have the right tools for the job, and 23% even said they felt excluded from remote meetings thanks to inadequate tech.

Employees often feel that the audio-visual (AV) technology they’re provided for remote and hybrid working simply isn’t up to the job. That means poor microphones that don’t play ball, jittery webcams that interfere with communication, or the wrong choice of video calling software. All that makes meetings harder to set up and causes them to take longer than they should.

Despite this, businesses that offer remote and hybrid working are reaping the rewards in many other areas, including staff engagement and performance.

But there is a solution.

Assess your employees’ AV technology to make sure their tools are not slowing them down – new webcams and microphones could be a cheap and simple fix.

It’s also a good idea to ask your employees to find out where they see that problems are occurring. If they are finding your existing system difficult to use, or slow to log in to, you should consider alternative options or better training.

If this is something that’s slowing you down, we can help – just get in touch.

Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

Achieve Active Growth with BCS Voice and Data

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What are your business goals for 2020? If you’re like most companies, they likely involve expansion. Whether growth for your company means a larger physical space, more employees or increased sales flowing into your processes one thing is for sure–you need backend systems ready to handle more volume in place before you start scaling. 

That’s where BCS Voice and Data comes in. We are an amazing partner for growing companies. Not only because we know what’s needed to allow for easy growth, we know scalability too, so you don’t outgrow a new solution quickly. If you’re on the path to bigger and better this year, here are some ways BCS Voice and Data can help: 

Virtualization: 

For any business seeking growth in 2020, new tech will keep you competitive, especially when it comes to Virtualization. Our virtualization services allow you to keep up with adding more employees and contractors as you scale, by increasing the speed of your data sharing and allowing everyone to have the access they need, when they need it. All while keeping costs manageable and data safe.  

Improved Communication Systems: 

One thing is for sure in this day and age–customer service is key. Don’t expect to grow if you can’t communicate well with your customers, clients or partners. If you plan to increase communication with clients or remote employees, ask about our telephone and video conferencing system options. Our options are easy to use with no interruptions and best of all, your entire team can be easily reached. Customers have high expectations for good, consistent and reliable communication, no matter what industry.

Structured Cabling: 

Structured Cabling is an underrated but extremely important consideration in any physical space. If your network suffers from aging infrastructure or lacks organization, it will show as you grow. Position your company for growth by having our engineers and systems specialists create an organized framework that is easy to configure as your business expands, meaning you’ll be able to adapt quickly, without ongoing additional investments.

BCS Voice and Data not only makes the growth of your company easier, we create the systems that encourage expansion. Call us at (800) 365-8067 to learn how we can help you achieve your business goals this year.

Your Next Decade of Conference Calling

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Don’t you sometimes wish that conference calls were… easy? We get it! With most providers, telephone conferencing is a horrible experience. Lines are dropped, important people can’t dial in and there’s static or an echo coming through that no one knows how to stop. We’ve all been there.

That’s exactly what the experts at BCS know how to fix.

With our technology and experience, conference calls may just become the easiest part of the day. Make this the year to finally create a clear, crisp and easy-to-use environment for clients, prospects and employees.

The BCS Voice and Data team creates individualized solutions for our clients, especially when it comes to phone and video conferencing. For some companies, the solution is as simple as replacing an aging phone system with a cloud-based phone system and newer, more robust hardware. Other clients, particularly those with high call volumes or a variety of geographic locations to connect with, benefit from a fully remodeled and re-outfitted conference room. Still other clients are in need of high-quality video-conferencing solutions. The type that beat consumer-grade video calling technology in terms of ease, image clarity, call quality and integration with the cloud. Then again, some clients need all of the above!

Whatever your needs, we know that selecting the right business telephone and conferencing systems is a daunting task. We’ve helped thousands of clients and find consistent questions and functions that need to be addressed with all, no matter what size the business. Take a look at our guide to choosing the right system for your business for guidance.

Want to make conference calls less stressful and more collaborative for you and your business this year? BCS can help you find the perfect solution and dominate your business’ technology in 2020. Give us a call today at (757) 497-3100 or contact us online.

Integrating ipads to office network Va Beach

The Best Gift To Give Your Business

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What are the Best Gifts You Can Give Your Business This Year?

Don’t forget about that one gift that always pays off–a gift to your business! If you’re looking for ways to invest back into your company this holiday, we know the best way to do it. Improved voice and data services. 

There’s no better gift to your company than better technology, especially as we head into 2020. From structured cabling to cyber-security, implementing our services help maximize efficiency, increase your potential and give your business a leg up on the competition. Now, that really is something to be thankful for. 

Here are BCS’s most rewarding ways to invest resources into your company this  holiday season: 

  1. Structured Cabling:

      Many business owners are skeptical about the benefits of structured cabling. We beg to differ. Any business with even a small telecoms network will reap the rewards of a well-planned and executed system. Structured cabling pays dividends with better organization, faster speeds and increased scalability. 

  2. Tools for Remote Workers:

    Although they aren’t on-premises, it’s still important (if not more so) to invest in the tools your remote staff uses. That’s because they’re only as good as the tools they receive. If they experience tech issues, they can’t just go down the hall to IT. So, by giving them new or improved equipment this holiday, you can jump start their 2020 work performance while building a better relationship. A happy team means a happy company and that always pays off. 

  3. Cyber Security:

    Small businesses tend to believe they fall under the radar for a sophisticated cyber-attack. With that thinking, they operate with minimal or no cyber-security. These businesses are known for lacking security measures and often targeted. Unfortunately, half of them will experience at least one cyber-attack during their business lifetime. If you’re on the fence about adding security to your operations, consider giving yourself and you business peace of mind with enhanced cybersecurity this holiday. 

Investing in your voice and data service is the best gift you can give you business this holiday season! You’ll enter 2020 knowing you and your team are fully prepared to grow with the times. Unsure exactly what would benefit you the most? Contact BCS Voice and Data to learn more about the possibilities for your business.

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What To Be Thankful For in Your  Business Phone Provider 

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Finding a great business phone system provider is difficult, especially with the overwhelming amount of options available. How do know if you selected the right phone system, and more importantly, the right provider?

In the spirit of the holidays, we’re outlining the top five qualities that all good providers should have and why you and your office should be thankful when you find this combination!

1. Confident and knowledgeable about the products they sell.

Many business communications companies leave it entirely to the consumer to research, compare and learn the ins-and-outs. Choose a provider that loves what they do and is passionate about what they’re selling. You should partner with experts who are willing and able to guide your decisions.

2. Offers reliable support.

What’s the use of investing in a new phone system if installation and training is sub-par? This commonly happens when providers are headquartered across the country or overseas. System installation, training, maintenance and repair should be a breeze. Choose a provider that is geographically close and makes IT support top priority – or one what has stellar support, including video conversations.

3. Provides knowledge and expertise.

These days, a company’s communication strategy is anything but simple. The phone system is often tied to the internet service and ultimately to the cloud. A good provider understands the complex mechanics of the latest advancements in information technology, and can help guide you to the right solution for today and the future.

4. Understands local challenges and circumstances facing your business.

We recommend partnering with a local or regional company to manage your communication needs. They will know what you’re up against, including any unique access or service limitations, and can integrate that knowledge into your technology recommendations.

5. Invested in your company’s success.

Choose a provider that does more than drop a phone system in your lap and collect their money. A good provider wants to see your company grow, evolve and come out on top. A great provider partner will help you get there with proactive advice and support.

At BCS Voice and Data Solutions, we’re thankful for our clients and we make sure to provide top tier services. If you are looking for a reliable partner you can be thankful for, contact us today.

The Risks of Consumer Cloud Storage

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You’ve undoubtedly heard the names and would recognize the logos of the biggest players in the current cloud storage market. This widely used software provided by GoogleDrive, Dropbox and Amazon Cloud Drive have millions of users between them. Just because they’re popular, doesn’t mean you should trust them with your company’s important data. We recommend ignoring the hype and doing some research before signing up. 

The convenience of consumer cloud storage: inexpensive syncing among employees and their devices, isn’t necessarily a fair trade off for the risks your company takes. These file share solutions answer a single problem while opening you up to many more. Here are three big risks you take when using cloud storage for your company: 

  1. No Tech Support:

    Users of cloud-based storage technologies must deal with slow to non-existent tech support. Many of these large companies divert frustrated customers (you) to a robot chat box or delayed online support for answers. That means, there will be little help and potential long-term downtime when you or your team has trouble accessing important data.

  2. No Control Over Data:

    Data is nothing to play with. If your employees and customers trust you with sensitive information, it’s your responsibility to keep it out of the wrong hands. You allow data to be stored in servers around the world by using third-party cloud-based services. That means, no assurance of what laws are protecting it or when. One thing you can be sure of, it’s only a matter of time until someone unauthorized attempts to access it. 

  3. Remote Devices:

    Using a remote staff will save on traditional costs associated with running a business. However, allowing remote workers to use their own devices introduces a significant security risk, especially if you’re using cloud sharing software. Remote employees’ devices are rarely adequately protected and easily become another portal for cyber criminals and hackers to access information. 

 

It’s critical that organizations keep the above security issues in mind before making the switch. Instead, hire a company like BCS Voice and Data, who will design and implement a secure wireless network to meet your specific needs. The cloud may be right for your business, but there are alternatives that significantly help mitigate the risks. Contact us today for a consultation or with questions about our services.

Protect yourself by creating a safety culture at work

Creating a Cyber-Safe Culture 

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In this cyber environment, business owners and employees must be aware of the horrors of an insecure system. Criminals can hack into corporate property and compromise customer information, sometimes even holding it for ransom. Methods such as these recently brought the entire city of Baltimore to a halt for multiple days.

Although it’s everyone’s duty to assist their organization against targeted attacks and security breaches; the importance of cyber security should be strongly delivered from your top management team at all times. Here are three tips to build a sound cyber security culture in your workplace.

1. Maintain a sound password policy
The most common passwords of 2018 were “111111”,  “12345678” and “password”. Many of us, including your employees, will forgo a safe password for one that’s easy to remember or quick to type into their login screen. With data that must stay secure, you can’t risk anyone using something easily guessed. Avoid this issue by instituting a proper password policy. This policy should make common passwords off-limits and create a required framework for combining numerals, letters and punctuation. It should also force frequent password changes.

2. Train employees on Workplace security
Conduct regular training for employees to learn how to identify suspicious cyber activities and report them. Educate teams on how to use their resources to analyze emails and attachments and be wary of activity they did not do or request. Additionally, make it easy for employees to report anything out of the ordinary. Share incidents of cybercrimes with your employees and discuss how your organization is equipped to combat similar attacks.

3. Act as a Role Model
If you are a manager or business owner, it is up to you to enthusiastically communicate security objectives and adhere to them. Practice what you preach and lock your system whenever you leave your desk. Doing so will encourage your employees to contribute to a positive and secure environment as well.

If you have any questions about how to better protect your systems, don’t hesitate to contact us at BCS Voice and Data. We offer solutions and support for any business with safety concerns, and provide additional services depending on your business needs. Contact us today for a no-obligation conversation about how we help keep data safe.

Growing Your Business With Technology Basics

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All business owners begin their venture with a mind for growth. In the past, growth wasn’t easy. Expansion sometimes presented more problems than opportunity. That’s because issues like managing larger teams or keeping costs low were difficult obstacles with limited solutions.  

With modern advances in technology, come improved methods for businesses to scale effectively and create opportunities for increased profit at the same time. Much of what presented obstacles 30 years ago are now problems of the past. That doesn’t mean growth is always easy, though.  

Here are some of our best suggestions for growing your business with new technologies on the horizon:

Utilize the Power of the Cloud

There are many benefits of using cloud-based programs and applications, but it’s especially conducive to growing companies.  

With these scalable tools, you and your employees have the freedom to manage operations from anywhere, any device and at any time. That means your team expands but your facility expenditure doesn’t have to, thanks to a remote workforce. For example, cloud-based phone systems can maintain the impression that your employees are on-premises by granting them a phone line wherever they are based. While cloud-distributed software means employees can access the systems they need, wherever they are.

Additionally, the cloud updates easily. Once you implement these types of systems, staying up-to-date is much easier.

Shifting your business to the cloud is a great approach to increase employee coordination, reduce spending and stay current, while growing the business.

Leverage the WIFI

These days, people wish to stay connected everywhere they go. Therefore, offering free WIFI to your customers is an effective marketing tool. We mentioned many of these benefits in a previous post but in terms of growth, it’s an instant win. Free WIFI increases client satisfaction meaning more business and increased profit. This applies to retail spaces, hospitality and even office environments – happy guests and visitors lead to happy customers, clients, partners and vendors.

Hire an IT Firm

No matter what your industry is, increased dependency on technology is inevitable. Unfortunately, new tech isn’t foolproof. A crashed telephone system or network brings business operations to a halt. Fixing these issues require a professional technician, but companies don’t need an in-house team. Maintain the bottom line by hiring IT consulting firms who will monitor your network and spot issues before they become show-stopping problems. Leading IT firms maximize the potential growth of your company by implementing and maintaining new technology correctly. The great ones can help you plant for the future and provide scalable solutions as well.

If you are a growing company and want to know how a firm like BCS Voice and Data can help, visit our website or call us today.  

 

The Benefits of Moving Your Phone System to the Cloud

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Your company doesn’t need to keep up with every tech trend, but sometimes there are advantages worth investing in. BCS helps firms to decipher what new technologies best suit them, particularly deciding between phone systems. Rather than sticking with traditional hardwired telephone equipment, we’ve found universal benefits by upgrading to a system based in the cloud.

#1 Easy and Cost-Effective Install
Implementing cloud communication is simple compared to a hardwired install. On-site phone systems take longer to establish because they require bulky hardware and labor. With fewer physical components, VoIP (voice over internet protocol) costs are lower and up and running quickly.

#2 Simplify Multiple Locations
Creating identical settings across multiple locations is tricky with the tedious hardware of business phone systems. A key benefit of cloud phone systems is the ability to centrally manage company communications through a single online portal, instead. With a VoIP system, implementing settings through shared software is easy. It also prevents employees from making changes and guarantees all locations stay on the same page with a few clicks.

#3 Automatic Upgrades
Upgrades are inevitable regardless of the phone system you choose. Capitalize on the cloud and give your company an edge with automatic upgrades. Traditional phones require on-site visits and potential downtime while the business owner bears the responsibility and cost. cloud-based environments shift the responsibility to the provider, handling the update virtually. It’s usually done outside of working hours and without service interruption, allowing for frequent upgrades and fewer missed calls.

#4  Accommodate Remote Workers
An on-premise phone system limits the communication capabilities for anyone outside of the office. Keep your remote workers connected despite the distance with a VoIP phone system. It eliminates boundaries by routing traffic to its destination through any internet connection. Send calls to their home office as easily as the actual office.

#5 Trustworthy Modern Security Practices
While you have more direct control over traditional business phones, they aren’t as safe as they seem. Physical office connections suffer more attacks than their cloud counterparts, according to this article. Traditional office hook-ups lack the extra protection from the presence of built-in protocols and encryption tools, like passwords and firewalls.

As with any new technology, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. This is why partnering with an experienced business telephone system integrator like BCS is crucial. We will evaluate your needs and ensure that whatever solution you select, you’re well prepared for future growth. Contact us today for a no-obligation conversation about your business phone system needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits of Establishing a Guest Wifi for your Business

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Business owners and their staff hear one question all too often, “Do you have WiFi?”.  Whether hosting a small business meeting or daily influx of customers, the need for visitors to connect is unavoidable. Granting unlimited access to everyone introduces many security issues, so consider establishing a guest WiFi as a solution. This practice accommodates visitors and protects your company’s network. Read more