What To Expect From VoIP In 2018

It might be hard to believe, but 2018 is almost here! With each passing year, technology seems to progress quickly. The same is true when it comes to VoIP phone systems. Wondering what is next for VoIP in the new year? If so, continue reading to learn more.

The End Of Traditional Telephony
As time goes on, it is harder to remember when phones had copper land lines. It appears that the days of traditional telephony are fading into oblivion. In its place, more businesses are switching over to VoIP phone systems. These systems transform audio sound bites and videos into pieces of digital data. Then, they are transmitted over fiber, cellular, or WiFi networks. 

Enhanced Audio
If you struggle to hear clients or customers over the phone, there has never been a better time to switch to a VoIP phone system. After all, it's called Voice over Internet Protocol for a reason! In 2018, VoIP systems will bring voice to the next level. Sound engineers will be focused on delivering higher quality audio communications through VoIP phone systems.

Mobile Solutions
In this day and age, it is hard to go anywhere without seeing a person intently staring all their mobile device. There is no denying that mobile phones have disrupted the telephony industry in a big way. In fact, some businesses have switched over to VoIP phone systems for the ability to forward calls to their cell phones. Cell service providers are expected to dedicate more time and energy to VoIP mobile phone functionalities. 

VoIP is not just the best telephone system available; it is also improving year over year! If 2018 will be the year you cut the cord with a traditional telephone system, contact Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more, or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+!

How To Switch Over To VoIP

There is a shift occuring in the telephony industry, and businesses are taking notice. If you are interested in making the leap from traditional telephony to VoIP for your business, continue reading! We can help you ease the transition.

Invest in Quality Equipment
Often times, you will hear the expression 'you get what you pay for.' This is especially true when it comes to investing in a good quality VoIP phone system! You may want to settle for a cheaper, less comprehensive VoIP system, but this decision could end up hurting your business in the long run. 

Allocate Enough Bandwidth
There is no sense in spreading something too thin. The same philosphy applies when it comes to your bandwidth. To err on the side of caution, make sure you will have enough bandwidth to run VoIP with your internet service provider. It is better to be safe than sorry!

Condense Network Maintenance 
Do you have a small room or closet that houses all of your phone and internet wires? If so, you will not need that anymore once you have a VoIP phone system installed. This will also help condense network maintenance for a small business.

When your business decides to cut the cord on traditional phone systems, contact Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more, or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+!

The Benefits of Having Surveillance at Your Business Location

Business owners have a lot of things to worry about. Fortunately, when CCTV security cameras are installed at a business location, it is one less thing for them to fret about. Keep reading to learn about the ways business owners can reap the benefits of surveillance cameras.

Reduce Theft
Retail businesses are vulnerable to theft. When no one is looking, a thief may try to get a five-finger discount. However, if they spot a camera watching their every move, they may not commit the crime in the first place. In some cases, the thefts are even committed by employees. CCTV cameras can reveal which employees are stealing funds from the company.

Improve Productivity
They say that there is always room for improvement. This statement rings true when it comes to employees. With the use of CCTV cameras, managers can watch and analyze the behaviors of the employees. Ultimately, it can improve the productivity of each employee.

Increase Profits
It is no secret that business owners are always looking for new ways to increase their bottom line. CCTV security cameras can help them do just that! When a business owner has the peace of mind that CCTV cameras are recording the actions of their employees, they will have more time to use as they please. When time is utilized efficiently, it can result in increased profits for the company.

If you would like to have CCTV security cameras installed, turn to Reliable Voice & Data Systems. We offer a full line of video cameras. If you are interested in our services and want to learn more, give us a call at (877) 385-6657 or visit our website.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Productivity Hacks For Remote Workers

There are plenty of people that telecommute in this day and age. This is due to the fact that a lot of professions just require access to a phone and the internet. However, working from home can lead to a loss of productivity. You may lack the motivation to get things done when there are distractions at every turn. If you can relate to this predicament, learn how you can increase your productivity as a remote worker.

Create A Home Office

First and foremost, it is imperative to set up an office in your home. While it may seem appealing to work from the comfort of your bed, it can cause you to take a nap. Clearly, this is not good in terms of productivity! Your home office will allow you to make a distinction between your work and personal life. Going from your personal space to your work space will make for a quick morning commute.

Listen To Music

Did you know that listening to music can increase your productivity while working? It is true! Best of all, it does not matter what music floats your boat. Some prefer fast music, while others prefer slow music. You just need to find what genre of music works for you. The right kind of music can inspire you to be more creative.

Dress To Impress

They say you should dress not for the job you have, but the job you want. When it comes to working from home, this philosophy still applies! It may be tempting to throw on sweatpants and a sweatshirts since coworkers will not be able to see your attire. Nonetheless, dressing for success can motivate you to get the job done.

Do you manage remote workers at your business? If so, opt for our VoIP hosted solutions. That way, your remote workers will be able to have the same functionality as your local workers. No matter what your communication needs are, Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help. If you are interested in our services and want to learn more, give us a call at (877) 385-6657 or visit our website.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Common Phone System Issues

Effective communication is essential for any business. If you do business over the phone, it is of the utmost importance. Many businesses cannot afford to have pervasive phone system issues. Have you ever wondered what the most common phone system issues are? If so, continue reading to find out what they are.

Phone System Outages
In the 21st century, consumers have come to expect constant communication. If they try to call your business and encounter an error, it is very likely that they will simply turn to a competitor to have their needs met. This is a worst case scenario for a business owner.

Limited Technical Support
In the event that there is something wrong with a phone system, it is imperative to have access to technical support. After all, that will help get your phone system up and running again. If your current provider offers limited technical support, your business can suffer from a loss of productivity. Everyone knows that time is money!

Service Disruptions At Your Physical Location
When a natural disaster sweeps through your business' physical location, it can disrupt service from your phone system. However, this is not the case when you have a cloud-based phone system. Your phone system will still be able to make and receive calls from a cell phone, smartphone or computer app.

When it comes to business phone solutions, we do it all. Turn to Reliable Voice & Data Systems for all of your communication needs. We provide total peace of mind with our unlimited quality technical support. If you are interested in our services and want to learn more, give us a call at (877) 385-6657 or visit our website.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

How To Keep Your Business Safe During The Holiday Season

'Tis the season for shopping and gift giving. However, this can also be a vulnerable time of year for businesses. After all, not everyone is in the holiday spirit. There are some grinches out there! If you own a business, find out what precautions you can take to keep your business safe during the holiday season.

Keep Hackers Out

In this day and age, businesses need to have a website. This is especially true for businesses that rely heavily on e-commerce as a main source of revenue. When people insert their credit card information onto your website, this data becomes very appealing to hackers. When a data breach occurs, it can tarnish your reputation or completely put you out of business. That is why it is so important to install secure software that is designed to keep hackers out. 

Install CCTV Cameras

If you only have a brick and mortar store, you still need to be wary of holiday shoppers. Some of them could be interested in a five-finger discount. Luckily, having CCTV security cameras installed throughout the store can prevent shoplifters from stealing in the first place. People are less likely to steal when security cameras are displayed in plain sight. If they steal from your store, the video footage from the CCTV can help you catch the crooks. It is a win-win situation! 

Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help keep your business during the holiday season and throughout the rest of the year as well. Our CCTV cameras allow you to take control of the security of your business' physical location. If you are interested in our services and want to learn more, give us a call at (877) 385-6657 or visit our website.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Reasons To Opt For Structured Cabling

It is no secret that consistent and effective communicaton are essential to any business. If you are a business owner who is interested in enhancing your telecommunication infrastructure, structured cabling could be the best solution. Below are the reasons why more and more businesses are switching to structured cabling. 

Improved Organization
It is imperative for a business to be organized. This overarching concept trickles down to the wires that keep your computers up and running. If your computer cables look like a tangled mess, it is time to consider structured cabling.

Cost Effective
When it comes to key business decisions, the cost always plays a role. This is especially true for small businesses that have to spend each dollar wisely. At Reliable Voice & Data Systems, we offer competitive rates for structured cabling. Investing in structured cabling can help your bottom line!

Stay Connected
In this day and age, it is crucial for businesses to stay connected at all times. Our structured cabling services can help you do just that! 

Do you want to switch your business over to structured cabling? If so, we can help! We utilize only the highest quality equipment. Our goal is to always meet and exceed your expectations. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

How To Use Technology To Improve Your Business

There is no doubt that technology is improving at a rapid pace. With such a saturated market, business owners might not know where to start. It can be hard to determine what will help a business succeed. Keep reading to find out what can help take your business to the next level.

A Cloud-Based Phone System
You may not want to have your head in the clouds, but we highly recommend having your phone system hosted in the cloud! That way, a power outage will not cause a screeching halt to business. Business owners will still be able to access the phone system from an extension on a cellphone, smartphone, or computer app. It is just one less thing to worry about!

Security Cameras
Business owners want to know what is going on at their business location 24/7, and with good reason! CCTV cameras can act as your extra set of eyes in the sky. Best of all, business owners can access footage remotely. Talk about convenience!

Strata Meeting
Do you have employees who work remotely? If so, you may conduct weekly calls with these remote team members. It is not uncommon to experience issues when trying to get everyone on the line. If you know this all too well, it is time to upgrade to Strata Meeting. This dial-in audio conferencing tool will allow you to host these audio calls with ease.

When you equip your business with the right technology, the sky is the limit. If you want to help your business grow and thrive, turn to Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more about cloud-based phone systems, Strata Meeting or CCTV cameras, give us a call at (877) 385-6657 or visit our website.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

3 Tips For Working in a Remote Office

Not every employee for every company is going to be working within the same office. There are going to be some employees that either live too far or are strategically setup in a different area. When working in these remote (or satellite) offices, it can be slightly different than working in the headquarters. Here’s what you need to know:

Internet Connection

Working away from the main headquarters means you might be in a smaller office, but that doesn’t mean you should have any lesser quality of services. The internet connection should be just as fast as the HQ since most businesses rely on computers and telephones to conduct their procedures. Make sure this satellite office is equipped with the proper server, which should be quite inexpensive compared to the headquarters’ server.

Use Chat Services

In order for a company to be successful, employees need to be working together. This can be quite difficult for employees working out of a remote office. While employees will be using phones and email, the addition of a chat service should also be utilized. Having a quick conversation with a fellow co-worker via a chat service (like Google Hangouts or Slack), can help you stay connected, make group projects easier, and help you stay “in the know” of what’s going on in the company.

VoIP Phone System

The phone system is important when it comes to businesses, as employees will need to speak with customers, vendors, and each other. The best (and most cost-effective) phone system to have for businesses — a VoIP phone system. At half the cost of a traditional phone system, VoIP is perfect for not only large businesses, it’s also perfect for small businesses and remote offices. Why? Because VoIP phone systems can have lines added to them as the company grows without having to setup a new plan.

Working in a remote office away from fellow employees can be challenging, but it can easily be done! When you need to set up a remote office properly, contact the pros at Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

5 Reasons Why You're Losing Customers

No business wants to lose customers, but for a small business that loses a customer — that can really hurt your bottom line. It's important to retain customers and get them coming back, since it's cheaper to retain current customers than it is to acquire new ones. Here's how you're probably losing customers as we speak:

Lack of Training

Yes, it's important to hire capable and qualified employees. However, it's just as important to have them trained properly. You need to make sure they are well versed in the product or service your business provides AND in overall customer service. It’s important for employees to know the details and deliver them in the proper way!

Small Window

The more hours you're open, the more opportunity there will be to do business. While not every business can afford to be open all of the time, it is important to know your target market and be available when they are (unless you need the daylight in order to operate).

Liar Liar

The one thing you should never do to your customers is lie to them. Lying might help you save face in the moment, but will cause the customers to resent you and your business if they find out the truth, or if they feel cheated. It's best to always be honest and upfront so you can create a lifelong relationship with your customer.

Poor Communication

When a customer calls your business, they expect to speak with someone right away with no difficulties. Having a phone system that isn't capable of handling multiple incoming calls can turn customers away. Switch to a VoIP phone system in order for your business to be capable of handling multiple incoming appointments, order placements, and customer service.

A business that is steadily losing customers won't be a business for too much longer. When your business is ready to make the switch to a VoIP phone system, contact Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Why Small Businesses Need to Focus on Customer Service

Do you want your small business to experience growth, so that one day it won’t be considered a “small” business? While you will need a product or service that is highly sought after, you will also need to provide this one key thing — excellent customer service! Without this, you’ll be making it harder for your business to grow.

1. Loyal Customers Are Key

Do you know why some customers remain loyal to a single brand or business? Of course it’s because they enjoy the product or service, but they choose you because of the customer service they receive alongside with it. When a customer feels like they’re appreciated, they’re more likely to purchase goods or services more frequently.

2. Saves You Money

Do you know how much a new customer costs (compared to an existing one)? The process of acquiring a new customer can cost up to 25 times more than retaining a loyal one. This statistic should make you appreciate your best employees that continue to get praised for providing excellent customer service. Showing appreciation via raises might cost money up front, but will help you in the long run when you look at your bottom line.

3. Helps You Compete With Large Brands

Do you know how to stay afloat when going head to head with big brands and businesses? Improve the buyer experience and customers will come to you for a good or service (if it’s comparable to the big brand). Being able to make personal connections with customers and making them feel appreciated takes the smallest amount of time and effort, but can pay the biggest dividends in the end.

Excellent customer service is the difference between a failing business and a thriving one. For businesses that provide customer service via the telephone, opt for a VoIP phone system armed with a long list of benefits for your business. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

7 Small Business FAQs You Need to Know

Have you recently started your own small business, or are looking to do so in the immediate future? Like any big decision, it’s important to do your research and know all of the facts in the beginning. Doing your homework now will help you set your expectations and know what’s in store for your business.

1. How Many Small Businesses Are There in the U.S.?

• As of 2013, there were 28.8 million small businesses in the country
• 80 percent were businesses with no other employees (other than the owner)
• 20 percent were businesses with paid employees

2. What Percentage of Firms Do Small Businesses Comprise?

• 99.9 percent of all firms are small businesses
• 99.7 percent of all firms with paid employees are small businesses

3. What is the One-Year Survival Rate For New Small Businesses?

• Roughly 80 percent of small businesses will make it past the one-year mark

4. What is the Five-Year Survival Rate For New Small Businesses?

• Roughly 50 percent of small businesses will make it past the five-year mark

5. What is the Ten-Year Survival Rate For New Small Businesses?

• Roughly 33 percent of small businesses will make it past the ten-year mark
• Another 33 percent are said to be sold or acquired by other businesses

6. How Many Small Businesses Are Home-Based?

• 50 percent of small business are home-based
• The most common home-based small businesses are information construction, construction, and professional services

7. How Are Small Businesses Most Commonly Funded?

• 22 Percent - Personal/Family Savings
• 6 Percent - Profits & Assets
• 5 Percent - Business Loans
• 3 Percent - Business Credit Cards (Banks)

Knowing all you can about small businesses before starting one is important for your own expectations and success. When your small business is looking for ways to grow and cut costs, consider installing a VoIP phone service provided by Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Easy Ways to Build Up Your SMB

Are you looking for ways to help build up your small-medium sized business? Yes, this can be a difficult task to accomplish, but there are proven ways to help meet this goal. It’s hard work, but when you focus on these actions, you will be sure to see some success.

Make Customer Service a Priority

Having a good product or service will certainly attract customers and earn you their business. However, providing good customer service will KEEP those customers coming back. No matter how good a product or service is, if you provide it in combination with poor customer service, most people will not come back. So invest in staff training, be more thorough during hirings, and offer empathy and solutions toward unhappy customers.

Enter the Mobile World

All businesses should have a website — there’s no discussion about it. However, just having a regular website is not enough in today’s world. Websites need to be mobile-friendly, as more than half of web users are on the internet via their mobile devices. If a potential customer goes to your website on their mobile device and your site is not mobile friendly, the chances of them sticking around is slim to none.

Get Rid of The Fluff

Businesses are expensive to run — there’s no way around that. Review all of your costs over the last half-year and see if there are any cost-effective substitutes, improved ways of producing goods or providing services, and expenses that aren’t vital to the operation of the business. For example, you can easily cut your phone bills in half by switching from traditional to a VoIP phone system.

Building up your small-medium sized business is no easy feat, but with the right mindset and action plan — you can put yourself on a path to success. When you’re ready to make the switch from traditional t a VoIP phone system, contact Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

How to Build Customer Loyalty

Do you own a business? Are you looking to find ways to turn first time customers into repeat customers? It all starts with building customer loyalty by adopting the following actions...

Create Relationships

Customers shouldn’t be viewed as dollar signs, they should be viewed as potential relationships. This is especially true for small and local business, as many customers will be from that very town. Take the time to greet them, find out who they are and what they’re looking for, and remember their key purchases. Building relationships with customers will help guarantee their loyalty to your business.

Become Involved

Being a local business shouldn’t stop at your physical location. Showing your customers that you’re a local business means involving yourself within the community. Participate in town festivals, fundraisers, or even offer support to local charities or programs. When your business helps others in the community, people will recognize this and be more inclined to be repeat customers.

Make It Easy For Them

Good customer service means you’re going above and beyond for your customers. However, it also means you’re making it easy for them right from the get go. A good way to do this is to always have items in stock, hire employees that are easy to communicate with, and have the right technology set in place. Some businesses rely on their phone system heavily, which makes VoIP phone systems a no brainer! Between call waiting, call forwarding, call tracking, etc., your customers will have the best over-the-phone experience possible.

Building customer loyalty takes a combination of hard work AND having the right pieces set in place. When it’s time for your business to switch to a VoIP phone system, contact Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Why You Need to Reduce Your Overhead Costs

As a small business owner, increasing your profit is the ultimate goal in order to help your business grow. In order to expand and grow, you need to have the capital on hand. Other than taking out a business or personal loan, the easiest way to generate capital — reduce costs.

What Are Overhead Costs?

Overhead costs are business expenses that are relevant to the day-to-day operations. No matter if the business is making money or not, these expenses must always be paid. Common overhead costs include building leases/rent, payroll, utilities, insurance, marketing, etc. Things such as raw materials and inventory are not classified as overhead costs.

Overhead Costs to Cut Down

• Rent - Some properties can have rent that is sky high, which can really cut into your profits. In order to cut down on how much you pay for rent, see if you can renegotiate the payments to a lower price. A landlord that is happy with you as a tenant might be willing to, especially if you sign a longer lease.
• Utilities - Electricity, water, and gas bills can only be cut down by switching to a different provider or by simply using less. Every business should strive to be more eco-friendly. For other expenses like he phone bill, switch from a traditional phone system to a VoIP phone system. Not only does it have more features and benefits, but it’s usually half the cost!
• Payroll - Cutting payroll is never a good thing because it usually means people are going to be let go or wages are going to be cut. However, this is sometimes necessary if a business is currently failing or in a downturn. Choosing to lower all wages by a little in order to save the jobs of everyone can be seen as a positive within the company morale.
• Supplies - While raw materials and final products do not count as overhead costs, other items like office supplies or equipment repair costs do count. To lower these costs, simply use less of these items by relying on virtual documents and upgrade to more efficient models of equipment that require less maintenance.

By reducing your overhead costs, you’ll have more capital in order to help your business grow and expand. For those looking to make the switch to a VoIP phone system, contact Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!