We all love getting free stuff. From extra perks and upgrades at hotels to having your friendly mechanic throw in some extras because, well, it's just a nice thing to do.  Yet, there are times when things that appear to be "free" and are advertised as such, are riddled with problems and risks. And if you're thinking of getting a free Internet phone number for your business from a service like Google Voice, then you definitely want to heed this warning. Here are the five reasons why a (so-called) free internet phone number for your business is actually a costly liability instead...

In theory, all employees would be supplied with a corporately-owned smartphone for work-related communications. But in practice, this simply isn’t feasible for many companies, because the cost is enormous to provide each individual with a separate phone. And frankly, it’s not even desirable by many employees, who would much rather use their sleek and stylish late-model iPhone vs. something that was leading edge back when people were flocking to see The Wolf of Wall Street. And so, by financial necessity as well as personal preference, millions of employees use their personal phone for work; especially if they are remote/hybrid workers. If this is...

SIP ALG is a technology that is available on most commercial routers, which is a networking device that forwards traffic to the Internet, or between local area networks (LANs). The “SIP” part refers to Session Initiation Protocol. This is an underlying service that powers all VoIP activity. For example, SIP registers devices, ensures call presence, and governs call audio. The "ALG" part refers to Application Layer Gateway. This is a network address translation (NAT) tool that changes private IP addresses and ports into public IP addresses and ports. It functions as a proxy to re-establish the destination addresses in data packets, which...

The advanced features of a VoIP phone system bring significant additional value when compared to traditional landlines. VoIP systems often include additional features such as call forwarding, call routing, and virtual extensions, which enhance productivity and streamline communication within an organization. Additionally, VoIP systems typically offer advanced call management features like voicemail-to-email transcription, call recording, and video conferencing, enabling seamless collaboration and improved customer service. With cost-effective pricing plans and scalability, VoIP phone systems deliver an array of features that go beyond the limitations of traditional landlines, making them indispensable tool for modern businesses....

The reputation of your phone number is crucial for outbound call centers. If you are using new numbers or ones previously noted as spam, it can set off red flags for carriers and blocking apps. This is especially true in light of STIR/SHAKEN regulations. As a result, you may not be able to reach potential customers interested in what you have to offer - ultimately resulting in decreased revenue....

Business telephone equipment typically refers to things like a phone system (sometimes referred to as a PBX/private branch exchange), handset phones, headsets (sometimes referred to as softphones), hubs for conference calls, and so on. If you are searching for business telephone equipment in NC, then here are 3 things that you want to know: 1. You Best Option is a Cloud-Based Phone System Software and services that run on the internet instead of locally on a computer — better known as “the cloud” — are everywhere these days, and there is no slowdown in sight. By 2025, Gartner estimates that a whopping...

Searching for the best business phone service in Alamance, NC should be easy, right? You simply head out to Mr. Google’s Neighborhood, and within a second you find plenty of options throughout Alamance County. Problem solved. Or…not quite! When shopping for a business phone service in Alamance County, there are a few key factors to consider. First, you’ll want to look at the features provided by each provider and determine which ones best fit your needs. Do you need long-distance calling capabilities? Voicemail? Advanced call forwarding features? Different providers offer different packages, so it’s important to make sure you ’re getting...

Effective communication is a vital aspect of any organization. It helps to foster strong working relationships, promote teamwork, and improve overall performance. Communication in the workplace is not solely limited to verbal interactions but also extends to non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and written messages. The primary types of workplace communication include formal and informal communication. Formal communication is highly structured, while informal communication is more relaxed, and often takes place between colleagues outside of work-related contexts. Effective communication is reached when information is shared, accurately, and timely, and feedback is received appropriately. Communication is critical to building a...

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) has revolutionized communication for businesses, offering cost-effective and feature-rich solutions. However, as technology advances and your business grows, it's crucial to evaluate your VoIP service periodically. In this article, we explore ten signs indicating it may be time to upgrade your VoIP service. 1. Poor Call Quality If you frequently face issues like choppy audio, dropped calls, or delays during conversations, it's a clear sign that your current VoIP service is struggling to deliver adequate call quality. Oftentimes, this is a result of slow Internet speeds. However, most Internet providers offer multiple tiers of speed so be...

If you are planning on adding locations, then you want to ensure that your phone system supports your growth vs. blocks it. Below are 7 reasons why voice over internet protocol (VoIP) is the perfect phone system for multiple locations: 1. Significant Cost Savings The first and most important reason why a VoIP (a.k.a. cloud-based) phone system is the best phone system for multiple locations is simple: you will dramatically reduce your telecommunication costs. Instead of spending thousands (or tens of thousands) of dollars to purchase, install, and maintain an on-site phone system at each location, you just plug in your digital phones...