7 Sep 2020

How much does a VoIP system really cost?

2020-09-21T21:53:30-07:00

If you’re in the market for a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system, you’re bound to come across solutions with similar features and add-on services. Some may offer a combination of these at a lower cost, so you might be tempted to go for the most affordable option. But don’t just base your decision on the initial price of the VoIP system. It’s essential that you also consider its total cost of ownership (TCO).

TCO is the overall sum of procuring, deploying, and operating a VoIP system over its life cycle, which is typically five years. A VoIP expert should be able to give you an informed approximation, but here’s what to expect:

Upfront costs

Upfront costs are largely determined by whether you buy a VoIP system outright or rent it from a third party. Although the former carries a steep upfront cost, payment does not continue indefinitely. This makes sense for large, fully staffed corporations with massive budgets. Meanwhile, the latter option is better for small- and medium-sized […]

How much does a VoIP system really cost?2020-09-21T21:53:30-07:00
4 Sep 2020

Groups, Yammer, and Teams: When should you use them?

2020-09-21T21:53:43-07:00

While most Microsoft 365 apps serve a particular purpose, tools like Outlook Groups, Yammer, and Microsoft Teams can all be used for office communication and collaboration. However, there are a few small differences. Read on to learn more.

Outlook Groups

With Outlook Groups, every member gets a shared inbox, calendar, project planner, notebook, and document library. You can also connect to third-party apps such as Twitter, Trello, and Mailchimp, so notifications are sent directly to your shared inbox.

This means all relevant messages and information are sent to one place, so if most of your conversations are done via email, Outlook Groups is ideal. What’s more, HR and sales departments that communicate with external parties will also find plenty of uses for its email features.

A big downside of Outlook Groups, however, is email overload. Because all messages and notifications are sent to one inbox, users may become overwhelmed by the number of emails they have to sort through every day.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams, a chat-based collaboration platform similar to Slack, works […]

Groups, Yammer, and Teams: When should you use them?2020-09-21T21:53:43-07:00
2 Sep 2020

5 Website conversion essentials

2020-09-21T21:54:06-07:00

Need a website that’ll convince people to sign up or buy your product? The solution to conversion is simpler than you think. Here are five easy website essentials that will surely encourage conversion.

1. Optimize your website for mobile devices

More people are now surfing the web on the go via smartphones, tablets, and laptops. If you want a piece of this traffic, you need to make your website’s design responsive to all mobile devices.

To give your visitors an enjoyable mobile experience, make sure your website design fits the screen of any device. Additionally, all elements of your website, including inner pages, resources, and call-to-action buttons should be easily accessible. If not, visitors will get frustrated and click away to a competitor.

2. Make it easy for customers to contact you

This means displaying your phone number in the upper-right corner of every page and providing a simple, easy-to-find contact form. While some people prefer not to give up their email address for fear it will be picked off by spambots, […]

5 Website conversion essentials2020-09-21T21:54:06-07:00
1 Sep 2020

Microsoft Teams at 3: Everything you need to connect with your teammates and be more productive

2020-09-02T13:59:06-07:00

On its three year anniversary, Microsoft Teams is still always investing in experiences to make it easier for teams to communicate and collaborate. Read this article on latest features and tech solutions to build the best online meeting experience for your organization!

Microsoft Teams at 3: Everything you need to connect with your teammates and be more productive2020-09-02T13:59:06-07:00
31 Aug 2020

The City of Houston Success Story: Video teaser

2020-09-02T13:59:11-07:00

A city is prone to all sorts of unexpected events that can drastically change the quality of life for everyone, better and worse. And well-prepared governments are those that leverage the latest #digital technology to be ready for anything. Watch this video to learn about the City of Houston, Texas' vision for an #integrated city that uses #data to prepare for the future.

The City of Houston Success Story: Video teaser2020-09-02T13:59:11-07:00
31 Aug 2020

4 Things to consider before selecting an MSP

2020-08-31T08:00:12-07:00

Incorporating technology into business operations can be challenging given its complexity and constantly evolving nature. Many companies simply can’t keep up — this is why many of them are turning to managed IT services providers (MSPs) to handle their tech needs.

MSPs defined

MSPs are companies composed of specialists from various IT fields. They deliver various IT services (e.g., cloud computing, cybersecurity, backup and disaster recovery) and proactively manage their clients’ IT systems under a subscription model.

Selecting the best MSP

While there are many MSPs out there, not all of them are equipped to meet your company’s unique needs. You can only achieve optimum IT results by selecting the right MSP.

Keep in mind these criteria when choosing an MSP:

  • Depth of skills and experience – Any MSP should have the skills and experience that go beyond basic software installation, maintenance, and upgrades. They should also have strong expertise in advanced IT functions, such as database management, cloud technology, security, and cross-platform integration, so they […]
4 Things to consider before selecting an MSP2020-08-31T08:00:12-07:00
28 Aug 2020

A little desktop tidiness goes a long way

2020-08-28T08:00:59-07:00

You may have the habit of putting apps and files that need your immediate attention on your desktop, but not of deleting or moving these to their proper folders when you’re through with them. What you end up with is a mess that makes it hard to find what you need and easy to lose important files forever. Prevent this by following our tips on clearing your desktop.

1. Arrange, sort, and prioritize

Before you go about deleting everything from your desktop, think about what you really want to keep. This will vary from person to person, but most people use their desktop for storing files, folders, and app shortcuts that they want to access quickly.

Take the time to prioritize your files and folders. An easy way to do this is to right-click on an empty area of your desktop (where there are no icons) and select Auto arrange icons. This will organize your icons into a grid format that makes it easier for you to see and work with […]

A little desktop tidiness goes a long way2020-08-28T08:00:59-07:00
26 Aug 2020

Watch out for distributed spam distraction

2020-08-26T08:00:13-07:00

A lot of people get a handful of spam in their email inboxes every day. While spam can be a nuisance, it only takes a few minutes to delete or block spam. But if you receive tens of thousands of spam all at the same time, a huge chunk of your time and energy will be wasted on dealing with them — and they might actually be hiding telltale signs that you’re being attacked by cybercriminals. This tactic is called distributed spam distraction (DSD), and here’s what you need to know about it.

What is DSD?

DSD is a type of attack wherein cybercriminals inundate email inboxes with as many as 60,000 spam emails. These emails don’t contain dangerous links, ads, or attachments, just random excerpts of text taken from books and websites. But because of the sheer volume of these emails, deleting and blocking each one of them can be daunting. And worse, the email and IP addresses used to send […]

Watch out for distributed spam distraction2020-08-26T08:00:13-07:00
25 Aug 2020

Combi Terminal Twente accelerates shipping operations AI-trained AtBot in Teams

2020-09-02T13:59:20-07:00

Digital transformation has evolved #CustomerService by allowing #automation to handle the easy issues, while people handle the complex ones. Watch this video to learn how global transport company Combi Terminal Twente (CTT) has successfully integrated #AtBot into #MicrosoftTeams to deliver always-on package tracking.

Combi Terminal Twente accelerates shipping operations AI-trained AtBot in Teams2020-09-02T13:59:20-07:00
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