Deal Planet

Brought to you by ZIP Broadband, the premier Colorado Springs VoIP provider.

So if you have read Part 1 of Voice over IP is Here! you might be saying to yourself, “VoIP sound great! How does it apply to my business and what can it do for me?” If you aren’t asking yourself this question you need to be! As I said in Part 1, Voice over IP is overtaking and will eventually be completely replacing traditional TDM communication. VoIP is here to stay and this is good thing.

Now I want to be careful in all my cheerleading of VoIP that I don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. In most business situations we need our traditional phone systems for a while longer. We are at that transitional time in technology where there is a need to have both or a least a way to use both. Before I get into all of the different options in equipment and capability, let’s talk about how we can apply voice over IP in our businesses to help us do what we do better! We need to understand why VoIP is important and what it can do for us.

The problems and therefore the solutions in business have been the same since business began. How can I do what I do in a faster, more efficient manner while minimizing the costs and increasing revenue. What technology does, is give us newer and more innovative ways to answer those questions. VoIP is no different and it brings some novel and modern ways to address the issues.

At the heart of all business is the need to communicate with our customers. We use our telephones, cell phones, and email to do that everyday. However in the past we were stuck in our offices or somewhere we had a hard connection to our telephone system and service provider. Of course when cell phones came along we were set free! No longer did we have to remain trapped in our offices. We were free to leave and go conduct business where ever we needed to. However we still experienced a lack of the full abilities of the office. We still needed our computers so we could access data like our documents, email, and customer files. Around that same time the internet popped up and at present most of us can access our office computers and servers remotely with no problem. We are now fully mobile in most every way…except the next big way.

Right now, most of us, have to have our calls transferred out to our cell phones. We are still one step removed from our offices, possessing most of the technology we need but lacking seamless integration. Traditional telephone system have been limited because there had to be cable running from the system in the closet to the phone on your desk. That is where voice over IP enters in. With VoIP, wherever you can get high speed internet, your phone system at your office can find you. At home? No problem. You log in your phone at home and bingo, all of your office calls ring seamlessly at home. On a road trip in a hotel? Log your VoIP phone into your office from your hotel room. Pick up and make phone calls as if you are in your office. Intercom and transfer calls from your office phone system just like you are there. Long distance calls and your caller ID all are coming from your office no matter where you are. That’s because with the internet there are no geographic boundaries. Plugging in while in Tokyo is the same as plugging at your house.

It can still be a struggle sometimes to think about how technology can be applied to our businesses, so think about this. Imagine you have a 24/7 phone support company. You can have agents logging in from home or remote offices across the world in different time zones as the earth is turning through it’s day. As night closes certain offices, dawn opens others while your employees are logging in and out across the world to support your customers! Using myself as an example, I have a VoIP phone at my house. I can work from home and still be connected to the office as if I was there. I hear pages, pick up calls on hold, intercom co-workers, and even call other VoIP phones through the office system. Because my laptop is connected to my office network through my high speed internet as well, I am now fully setup with a virtual office. I could literally set up that very virtual office anywhere in the world!

Now let’s take it another step forward. If you can be anywhere you need to be with VoIP, why have a phone system at all? There are companies out there, and Diverse CTI is one of them, that offer a hosted solution. This means that we will buy the phone system, pay for the dial tone, and the high speed internet connection and charge you a monthly cost. All you need is a high speed internet connection wherever you are. Log your VoIP phone in and bingo, you are up and running. You get a real phone number that rings to Diverse CTI’s phone system. When that happens, our system knows it is your number and then rings your VoIP phones – wherever they are! You have voicemail, auto-attendant, and even hold music all without ever purchasing a phone system.

Seeing a vision of what Voice over IP can do and how it applies to your business is extremely important. Although I can’t possibly talk about every different way VoIP can impact your business, at least now you have some basic understanding. Next in Part 3 I will talk more about what things to consider when you are implementing VoIP in your business.

Josh Cochran, RCDD
http://www.DiverseCTI.com

Bio: President of Diverse CTI, Josh Cochran has over 10 years of experience in telecommunications and IT services. An expert in the industry he is a Registered Communications Distribution Designer, a certification he has held with BICSI since 2004. Josh consults various national companies and speaks at several national events and conferences.

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This article brought to you by Colorado Springs high speed internet service provider ZIP Broadband.

There are many inventions that changed the course of history. Internet is one such phenomenon which made substantial contribution to make human lives more productive. Today it has become an unavoidable system without which many of our activities will become standstill. Access to internet is an absolute necessity and a faster method for the same is an imperative in the present scenario. The early method for internet access is dial up system, which is a very slow process. Another problem with dial up system is that the telephone cannot be used while accessing internet. Heavy telephone bill is yet another handicap in the dial up system.

Internet access became faster and economical after the introduction of broad band connectivity. It is also known as high speed internet due to the high rate of data transmission achieved through it. Broadband is a very convenient method for those who use internet frequently as well as to those who use it for multimedia. Even though the consumers have to incur initial expenses to install the system, it is far more economical than conventional methods in the long run. By using a router subscribers can extend broadband connection to a number of computers in large houses or establishments.

Broadband service has become a highly competitive business in UK where there are several service providers in the field. They offer attractive terms to consumers for providing broadband service. Consumer can avail the benefits of a comprehensive package which include many benefits apart from broadband connection. A typical package includes equipment cost and monthly subscriptions for a stipulated period. Incentives are offered for those consumers who opt for long term contract. Digital television, home phone and free inland and international calls are a few benefits bestowed on them. But such gifts and incentive vary in the case of different agencies. There are incentives like download facilities. 2Mb speed with no restrictions about the hours of usage and up to 8Mb with unlimited usage are some of the offers in certain packages. Another typical offer is 40GB console to store photos, music and videos along with other incentives. Certain packages include wireless router at concession rates.

Coming to the availability of broadband services in UK, there are different types of services for consumers to choose from. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is the most popular type. Faster download speed is ensured in this system. Upload speed will be slower than the download speed in the system. Another facility is the satellite connection which is expensive. Dish antenna will have to be installed. Even though satellite broadband connection allows high speed downloads, it is difficult to have upload facility. It may be possible to have two way connection facilitating uploads also, but the service is very expensive. Otherwise the consumers will have to depend on other faster methods. Because of this drawback the satellite broadband is not very popular among consumers. In the case of Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) both uploads and downloads will have equal speeds. This system is cost effective. In wireless broadband system wireless router will be used instead of modem. There is also WiFi available which is widely used in public places like airports where conventional broadband through landlines are not available. WiFi is a very efficient and fast facility for transferring large data files. There are some other systems like cable based broadband and 3G mobile phones which are also in vogue in the country.

Find best broadband deals and check out special offers on unlimited, business and Mobile broadband at broadband suppliers website.

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This article brought to you by Podimus.com – the iPod broken screen repair experts.

One of the most important annoyances of owning any gadget is having it break down or freeze on you. Having your iPod freeze up and be non responsive is a nightmare that each music listener wants to avoid. Having your iPod mended comprises sending to Apple and playing for postage and fix services, this can very time intensive for the owner and it can take weeks to get your MP3 player back from the maker. To forestall all the hassle which includes sending your iPod away there are useful easy to follow iPod repair guide that can help you learn a way to fix problem that might occur.

Will I fix my iPod faster using a iPod repair manual?

Having a radical correct repair guide can save everyone a lot of frustration. This is obviously a better way of fixing your iPod, the other option contains sending your player to the manufacturer and sometimes waiting for weeks to receive it back. Using a DIY fix-it guide can solve the problems quickly.

Do I need to buy any special equipment?

If you suspect you must buy some tools for the job – don’t fret, there is no need to get a soldiering iron.or screwdriver. The guide is straightforward enough to follow that even an amateur can fix a iPod.

Are iPod Repair Guides understandable and straightforward to use?

Any noob can employ an iPod correct manual and have it running in thirty minutes, max. The money and time spent fixing your iPod is unimaginable, you can even fix your chums players for a small fee too once you find out the way to do yourself. Also, you won’t have the added trouble of losing any saved information of importance.

Visit iPod repair guide for more information on how to fix your iPod player. It will save you allot of headaches and time.

For more information visit: how to Build a Chicken Coop

This article is brought to you by Podimus.com – the guys who can fix a zune in no time flat!

I want to spread a word about another famous Electronic device called Zune. It is a must have Gadget which gives you similar options of use like Ipod. Listen to your favourite FM stations or play your own favourite music on it. Synchronize Zune with PC and download different movies, music, games instantly. You have different versions of Zune 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and up to 40GB, 80GB and new one 120GB. One of the most famous accessory for your Zune is Zune Case which I want to talk more about it, because when buying one you must be careful on some basic things…

Why Zune Cases?

Zune Cases is a must have for your Zune Electronic Device, because if you are a traveling man or woman you must be careful on your Zune, it is sensitive device and it can broke pretty quick. Zune Cases cover your Zune and it protects it from various incidents or other things. You have different Zune Cases for each Zune from 4GB one to 120GB one, so when buying one be careful that it is specified for your Zune Device.

Which Zune Cases I can Buy?

You can buy from Leather Cases to Silicone Cases and even you find some good Cases if you are a sport guy or you want to have your Zune on different body spots.Leather Cases are my favourite. You can buy from a basic Leather case to kickstand one or wallet one. You have different Brands like Incipio and Belkin which are the most famous Brands for Leather Cases.

If you want to buy Silicone Case you have also a great collection to buy. One of the best are the Microsoft Style ones. They are light and they protect your Zune the best. Also you can buy colored one, have you got your favourite color? Then use your imagination in Zune Silicone Cases.

We can help you find the cheapest Zune Cases, the most useful ones and much more at our blog, check us at Zune Cases. Also we have made a great store with only the best and the cheapest Zune Cases which are sold from Amazon. See our Zune Store at this location: Zune Cases.

Brought to you by the premier Colorado Springs high speed internet service provider.

These days, “broadband” is a word that is thrown around easily in telecommunications and internet lingo, but the average consumer may not have a clear understanding of how broadband works. It’s easy to understand why; the technology industry even has trouble defining it clearly. So how does broadband work? The online Webster’s dictionary defines broadband as “A class of communication channel capable of supporting a wide range of frequencies, typically from audio up to video frequencies. A broadband channel can carry multiple signals by dividing the total capacity into multiple, independent bandwidth channels, where each channel operates only on a specific range of frequencies.” Let’s take a look at each part of the definition to understand how broadband works.

The first part of answering the question ‘how does broadband work’ is to think about the phrase a “class of communication channel.” We can gather from this that it is different from the normal class of communication channel that we use – our regular phone lines. Phone lines, also called baseband lines, normally carry 29.6kbps of analog data when used for voice communications. But with the advent of the internet, people began to demand faster data transmission. A regular, baseband phone line can carry up to 56kbps of data with the help of a high-speed modem, but without additional technology, that is its maximum capacity.

That wasn’t nearly fast enough to keep up with the average person’s demand for and dependency on the internet, which led to the demand for broadband. So how does broadband work? If you think of a baseband line as having one “channel” to send information, you can think of a broadband line as having multiple channels that you use at the same time. Not only that, but a broadband connection is capable of carrying a wider range and type of frequencies, meaning different types of data. And what it can carry, it carries faster. When you drive on the interstate, what happens when there aren’t enough lanes for the number of cars on the road? Everyone is forced to go slower.

The same happens with the internet. Think of your connection to the internet as a tunnel that links your computer to the internet. A regular phone line can allow only a small amount of data to pass through at a time. In comparison, a broadband is a wider (or broader) tunnel, allowing a greater amount of information to pass through your connection at one time. The breadth of this tunnel is called “bandwidth.” The more bandwidth you have, the faster you can move data. With broadband service, you can also download files that require a great deal of different types of frequencies as well, such as audio and video files.

This is a partial answer to the question ‘how does broadband work,’ but the other has to do with the way that broadband services can compress and transmit that data that you’re sending. Go back to the cars on the interstate analogy. What if suddenly all of the cars could be miniaturized? What would that do to the traffic jam? Or if they could use all of the space available in the tunnel – above your head, between cars, etc. Broadband technology not only widens the channels you have, but it uses them more efficiently. Meaning you can get more out of the bandwidth that you have. Broadband makes your internet experience faster and more efficient overall.

Van Theodorou will help you slash your telecom expenses by 43% and assist or even become your telecom department at no cost to you. For a free analysis or phone consultation go his site at long distance rates for your business.

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Webstore Solutions, a Colorado Springs website design firm.

In this article I want to talk to you about your site’s look, feel, and professional image.

I came online for the first time nearly 14 years ago. I was floored, I was amazed, this “Internet thing” was the coolest thing in the world!

I didn’t know how all those people had built all those web pages, but I knew I wanted to build my own.

Back then, finding information on how to build a site was nearly impossible. Most people had never even heard of the Internet, and hardly anyone had written any books on the subject.

Colleges weren’t even teaching web design yet.

After much tedious searching (search engines weren’t what they are now), I stumbled onto a place called Anglefire that let you build your own site and hosted it for free…it also taught you HOW to build a site. There were a few places around like this….Geocities, Tripod etc.

I spent several months learning to build my own web site. I learned how to upload graphics and make them appear on the page…I slowly learned very simple HTML.

I’ve programmed computers since I was about seven years old, so learning HTML was easier for me then it probably would be for your average computer user….but it was still very slow going!

I finally finished building my first web site and I was just about as proud as a person could be!

I had conquered this Internet thing…I had staked out my own little corner, I had made my mark!

And the web site? It looked…..TERRIBLE!

It was absolutely horrible looking…it served no purpose. It was just a little personal site that said “Welcome to my web site” and had a couple of funny animated pictures. It had a loud background, flashing blinking text…no layout plan….clashing colors. In short, it was very ugly.

I didn’t care, I was really proud of it. I showed it to everyone. Heck, my mom thought it was great!

Shortly after that I started to look at the Internet as a business and I built my first business web site. It looked only slightly better than the first site I built. I didn’t care, I was just as proud of it as I was the other.

Over the years I’ve seen the same metamorphosis with many of my consulting clients. They come online, they slowly start to learn how to build a web site, and they’ve generally gotten to the stage where their site looks slightly better than if a grade school kid had scribbled something with crayons.

But they’re really proud of it. THEY made it…THEY went through the Herculean effort to learn HTML or learn how to use editing software of some sort. It’s their baby….

I know EXACTLY how they feel.

But the problem is, their potential customers don’t care about any of that. They only know that they’ve stumbled onto a web site that looks…..well…..not so good.

It only takes a person a couple of seconds to decide that a web site isn’t professional, and click off of it.

We spend so much time, effort, and money on marketing and advertising to get a person to come to our site, it seems like a shame not to spend a few bucks to have a professional looking web site.

I know, if you’re just starting out money may be tight. But this is really not something you want to skimp on.

I’ve got a pretty good solution for the money conscience person (hey, I’m one of you!).

What you do is this… Create your own web site….do the best you can.

Use frontpage or any of the hundreds of HTML editors. Then once the site is done, hire someone for two or three hours to go in and clean things up a bit.

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars hiring a firm to build you a web site. Head over to your local community college and trek over to the art department and slap a paper on the bulletin board.

Design Work Wanted:

2-3 hours of web design work

$40 per hour.

Call 555-5555

Those kids are probably talented enough to give you pretty good quality work and it won’t cost you much of anything.

We’re talking $80-$100 for some design work from a local college kid to turn your web site into a professional looking site. A site that someone will be comfortable purchasing stuff from.

It’s more than worth the investment! Think of it this way….you don’t HAVE to have a professional looking site. But I guarantee your competition will….and given the choice, who do you think your customer would rather buy from?

Jason has been writing articles online for nearly 14 years. When not writing about internet marketing, he also runs a quality office supplies web site where he finds lots of deals on a wide variety of office supplies staples and other office accessories.

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Colorado Springs website design firm Webtore Solutions sponsored this article.

Website owners must have some basic knowledge about designing aspect of the websites. The website design tips will help to have a fair concept for creating the websites. Application of the knowledge will help them to make the site more functional for better impact on viewers. Importance of designing is crucial since the websites are created to be self supported to sell independently in absence of any other kind of on-the-spot support. The sites should have full information about the products and services, conditions and well laid out ordering process in easy steps for ordering. There are number of web hosting companies who launch websites on the internet.

Website design tips begin with suggesting selection of an inspiring domain name that clearly describes the nature of business entity. It should be able to standout and identify the product or services of a company. A good domain name provides great support in search operation on the net. The domain name helps to push a website on the internet with good listing rank in a search on the internet. Next consideration is given to the hosting of websites. A web hosting account should be made with a good hosting company. Good hosting companies have desired skills to setup websites efficiently on the internet to enjoy good ranking in search operations.

Website software tool is an essential part of the whole affair of web hosting. The website design tips can easily lay stress upon selection a good web hosting service provider for technical expertise. They provide dependable back up to the website on the net for its functional ability. The involvement of hosting service provider goes further in providing necessary software for effective management of the website. Effective management of websites is a crucial part of hosting on the internet. The site owners will have needs to often change the contents, edit, replace and update the products or services. This is necessary to always keep a site fresh without any elements of disputes and dissatisfaction of the customers. Obviously, the situation turns back to flexibility of designing to accommodate alterations with convenience. This factor is considered to be of extreme importance in website design tips and specifically cared by the professional web designers.

In view of basic objectives of websites to market the products or services on the internet, the website design tips suggest making simple designs. The website should be easy to understand and the process of business transaction should be easy for people to follow. It is easy for the customers to move to other sites quickly. The presentation should be able to hold the customers on the site with sufficient curiosity and interest. If the products are not described in very easy to understand way, a site will fail to attract the customers to spend more time with interest. Moreover, the websites must have their own distinct individuality to stimulate interest of the visitors to the site. Economic benefits count a lot. On internet, the customers can effortlessly compare the cost versus benefits of competing products. Hence the discounts, if offered, should be conspicuously displayed.

Dhruv Patel is an affiliate marketer. He is a happy DreamHost customer and recommends DreamHost to any body who wants to host a web site. He has created a site to help DreamHost customers. If you are not an existing customer of DreamHost and want to sign up with DreamHost, use dreamhost promo code to get a discount.

If you are an existing customer and have any issue with DreamHost account, simply contact him using the “Contact Us” link on his site and he will help you in solving your issue.

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This article brought to you by Colorado Springs home security provider ZIP Broadband.

Is your home really safe? Here is a short checklist for home security that focuses on the main things you need to look at to make your home less attractive to thieves. Keep in mind that burglars love easy targets, so you have to do whatever you can in your power to make your home seem undesirable to those who want to make some easy money.

The Checklist:

Every door frame has to be reinforced to prevent doors from breaking down with simple kicks.

Doors have to consist of metal or solid wood. Doors of hollow-core wood are very easy to get through and should merely be used for inside doors.

Window glass break detectors sound alarms if somebody attempts to force themselves into your house, scaring off any intruders.

Landscape your home more for visibility than for privacy. Even though human nature tells us to cut off from other people like street passersby and neighbors, it would be best to trim or completely get rid of shrubs and trees that could be turned into burglar hiding places and might shelter any actions from the street or house for optimum security.

Ensure that window and door hinges can only be found inside your house.

Outside doors and sliding doors need to have top quality deadbolts and cylinder locks.

Make use of locks when it comes to your storage sheds and garage, and keep any tools – most of all ladders which burglars could put to use to get to higher windows – out of sight.

Make use of lighting outdoors to keep your house entrances well-lit. If you get photosensitive lights, you can ensure that they will turn on automatically when it gets dark. If you want to conserve some energy, heat-sensing and motion-detecting lights will turn on when triggered. The point here is to get rid of any potential burglar hiding places.

Have an updated home inventory so that you can offer up any required information on missing things to your company of home insurance and the police if burglars do make it in.

If you are looking for home security and locksmith services in the areas of Aviara and Carmel Valley, Leading Locksmith can cater to your needs any time.

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This quick article is brought to you by ZIP Broadband, the premier Colorado Springs ISP.

Here is a common question that we get from broadband consumers.

Question:

Can third party speed test results be used as evidence in a dispute with my Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Answer:

ISPs will generally not recognise any network testing tools other than their own.

However, ISPs would have a tough time defending your issues with “speed” if you can provide documented evidence from several different sources showing that you are receiving speeds below what you can show you were promised.

Your difficulty would be not so much proving what speed that you are actually getting but more proving what speed you have been promised (and paying for). In the UK broadband industry, the magical “up to” words are a universal legal get out clause for ISPs. Couple this with the very grey definitions of Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) from most ISPs and you can start to get the picture that the odds are not stacked in your favour as a broadband customer.

As a broadband customer, your expectation of speed is set by the marketing media. Phrases such as “Up to 8meg” and “Fibre Optic Broadband” are commonly used by UK broadband providers to entice new customers. When new customers sign up, they can commonly and quickly become disappointed when their actual connection speeds fall way below what they were led to believe from the marketing blurb. In a study conducted in April 2008, we found that the average broadband speeds in the UK to be just 3.62 Meg which is less than half of the commonly used “up to 8 Meg” marketing phrase from numerous companies.

Inevitably, the obvious and consistent gaps between marketing lead promises and actual speeds delivered gives rise to disputes between ISPs and customers. With many customers being left disappointed with their broadband speeds and very little legal recourse to do anything about it, many consumers now see “fast” broadband with a certain degree of scepticism.

Ultimately, we believe that the “up to” clause is generally not good for the industry or consumer. At the moment, the only way for customers to get around speed disputes with their ISPs and get a better service is to shop around for providers that offer faster average speeds.

UK broadband customers might be interested to learn that we are working with one of the largest ISPs to provide them with ongoing results from our speed test. Interestingly, it would appear that ISPs themselves sometimes do not know themselves what speed they are actually delivering to customers.

http://www.broadband-help.com

-Weekly comparisons of broadband speeds -Save money and get a better service by switching broadband provider -Broadband provider reviews

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This article is sponsored by ZIP Broadband, the premier Colorado Springs high speed internet provider.

How often do you hear the terms High Speed Internet Access? It is in commercials, mailing ads, your phone bills and all over the internet. Everyone is promoting that they have the fastest internet and that you want their internet service.

High speed internet is all relative when you see those advertisements. This is a case that you want to look at the fine print or even sometimes it is the larger print, but you will want to pay closer attention than just the speed when making a decision on the service you are going to choose.

Each company can decide what they deem as high speed internet and it is always continuing to get faster and improve. It is important to look at the speed of internet that you need. Of course, we all want the fastest internet, but each company can offer different specials and offers in conjunction with the options of the fastest high speed internet.

Then there is the cost which can go along with the different offers. The opportunities for high speed internet are endless, but it is important to weigh out the cost and what you need your internet for. Now, you might be thinking you are set. You have internet in your home or business and were sure it was the fastest a year ago. You figure you are being watched out for and that of course the company you are with will make sure you upgrade as they become available. Don’t count on that. It is important that you stay on top of your options and the current speed of your internet.

XO Communication specializes in providing quality High Speed Internet Access. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

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