After two years of lockdowns, supply chain issues, and other pandemic-related restrictions, businesses can finally start moving forward in the “new normal,” right? Wrong! Because while the worst of Covid seems behind us, there is now another threat to confront: the highest levels of inflation in 40 years. The costs of living are up as is the cost of borrowing. In this article, answer the question: How does inflation affect businesses? We also provide practical tips on cutting costs. Understanding the Basics Essentially, inflation occurs when prices go up. As a result — and this is the crucial thing to keep in mind...

Flash quiz: what do Apple, Amazon, and Google have in common? They were all born in a garage. Beginnings don’t get much humbler than that! Now, we can’t say that your start up will one day become a billion-dollar unicorn. But we can say that your success — and frankly, your survival — depends on getting the right technology, for an affordable price. A VoIP phone system (Voice over Internet Protocol) should be on the top of your “shopping list.” Here are 4 reasons why VoIP is right for start up businesses: 1. You Will Save Thousands in Up Front CapEx...

Here at Carolina Digital Phone, one of the most important (and common) questions we get asked from prospective customers is: what is the bandwidth required for VoIP? Other common questions asked are about download speed and overall internet speed. In a moment, we dive into these questions. First, let's take a step back and look at some bandwidth basics.   What is Bandwidth, Anyway? The term bandwidth is used all over the place. But just what does it actually mean in simple terms? Essentially, bandwidth is a measurement of the maximum capacity of a communication link (wired or wireless) over a network connection...

Just like our customers, here at Carolina Digital Phone, we are focused on ways of being more efficient, productive, and leaner. This is an incredibly competitive field, and “doing more with less” is not just helpful for success, but it is necessary for long-term survival. However, there is one thing that we will NEVER have, regardless of the alleged cost savings: a technical support outsourcing strategy. Below, we highlight the 4 key reasons why we have not, do not, and will never have a technical support outsourcing strategy: 1. There is no substitute for rapid, responsive, and LOCAL service. We simply cannot meet...

Why Spam Robocalls Are On The Rise The frequency of robocalls has increased during the pandemic, causing disruption to daily life. Despite the pandemic ending, Spam Robocalls continue to rise due to their profitability and legal loopholes resulting from court decisions. Costly repairs during a struggling economy can be disastrous. To avoid scam robocalls, use call-blocking apps and do not answer unknown numbers. File complaints to relevant authorities and use call authentication tools. Opt out of marketing calls and texts to reduce spam robocalls. Follow these steps to fight back against spammers. Definition of Robocalls Robocalls are a type of automated phone call that...

FCC Introduces New Rules to Fight Robocall SpoofingAs part of its ongoing effort to combat illegal robocalls, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on March 16, 2023, it is enhancing and expanding service provider obligations to implement the STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication framework. The move builds on the FCC's implementation of a framework used to trace back, block, and identify originators of illegal spoofed robocalls.How Spoofing WorksScammers find phone number spoofing an increasingly popular technique. They know people are wary of answering unwanted calls with unfamiliar or toll-free numbers. As a consequence, they use spoofing to trick the caller ID...

Tax season is here, which means that accounting firms need to be at their very best. Below, we highlight 5 Key Ways VoIP Can Help Accounting Firms to outperform and outpace their competition now and into the future: Total Mobility for Accounting Firms Among the biggest and most important ways that VoIP (short for Voice over Internet Protocol) phone systems can help accounting firms maximize productivity, efficiency, and client service is by enabling total mobility. All employees can make and receive calls from anywhere, simply by using an app on their smartphone. When an employee makes outgoing calls with the app, the accounting...

While there are many metrics determining overall customer experience and satisfaction, among the most important is first call resolution (FCR). The immediate goal of most call centers is delivering great customer service and saving on costs. Let's explore how to improve first call resolution. To start, let us take a step back and answer a few fundamental questions: What is first call resolution? What is good first call resolution? How meaningful is first call resolution? Decrease Customer Churn Customers frequently attempt to handle their inquiries through self-service options. If unsuccessful, they contact support with the expectation of prompt resolution. If a customer's inquiry...

When selecting a call center or contact center platform, there may be certain terms or features of which you are unsure. Many platforms display these details in feature lists but do not explain them in detail. First, let's talk about call centers vs contact centers. A call center is a facility that offers customer service via phone calls, managed by personnel known as call center agents. A contact center is a department that offers customer service across multiple communication channels.   Various industries, including healthcare, financial services, e-commerce, retail, technology, business process consulting, and business services use call center phone systems. Providing your...

The last few years have been dominated by a focus on “essential” things, such as essential workers, essential services, and essential sectors. Businesses have had to consider this when it comes to their phone systems. Let's start by looking at the different options available for business phone service. What Features Should I Consider When Choosing a Business Phone System? There are several features to consider when shopping for advanced business phone systems. Look for a business phone service provider that offers an intuitive user experience, reliable and secure calling options, and integrates with the other tools used by your staff. Consider if...