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Assess your need for telecommunications business solutions

Business telecommunications solutions aren't one size fits all. Whether you need office phones, mobile phones, personal data assistants (PDAs) or other telecommunications devices, it's important that you choose devices that make sense for how you conduct business. For example, if you conduct a great deal of business on the road, then you should ensure that your telecommunications service plans include mobile communications devices. The first step in choosing the right telecommunications business solutions is identifying how you plan to cost-effectively and efficiently use telecom devices to improve your overall telecommunications infrastructure.

I recommend: Read more about telecommunications business solutions by checking out Baron Telecommunications. Learn more about business telecommunications solutions offered by AT&T, one of the largest U.S. providers of business telecommunications services.

Learn more about diversifying your business telecommunications services

With so many options from which you can choose, selecting telecommunications business solutions can be difficult. Having the right business telecommunications solutions to fit your unique business need is essential. Plans for phone systems, mobile phones and other devices can easily address your communications issues. It's generally best to never rely on just one form of communication, like a mobile phone, in the event your signal goes out. A good business focuses on ways to ensure seamless communication with its customers.

I recommend: Read more about the importance of diversifying your business telecommunications solutions by visiting InformIT. Learn more about choosing telecom providers by checking out Small Business Technology Magazine.

Compare providers of telecommunications business solutions

There are a range of cell phone providers, long distance carriers, suppliers of business phone systems and Internet providers from which to choose. It's important that, in addition to price, you take a close look at the company's longevity, services, customer base, technical support and customer services before making a final decision on a telecommunications provider.

I recommend: Learn more about telecom business solutions by reading Bnet. Check out VoiceNation Services to review a list of providers of telecom business solutions.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's generally a good idea to explore packages for telecommunications business solutions offered by companies that provide a variety of services that you can bundle into one bill. This means you'll have a single source provider for your cell phone, landline phone, Internet service and possible cable or satellite television service. In addition to being convenient, having one telecommunications provider for all of your telecom needs could also save you money.

Guide to Telecommunications Business Solutions

Navigating your way through the maze of business telecommunications

By M. Krasniak, Freelance Writer/Editor

Action Steps
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Know the details of your workforce

Figure out what percentage of your staff works on-site and what percentage works in the field or telecommutes. This will help you find the telecommunications business solutions that are right for your situation, without paying for those features that aren't. Traditional PBX solutions work best in offices where most of their workforce is on-site.

I recommend: Checking out this PBX Guide on Work.com to see if those telecommunications business solutions are right for your company.

Look into what is required to be able to get business telephone services you want

Today's complicated networks include more than just telephones. Computers have become one of the main forms of communication in business. With this shift comes the need for more complicated infrastructure such as networks and servers. If you conduct most of your business over the Internet and email and you already have an existing PBX, then the transition to using VoIP as your business telephone service should be quick and relatively painless.

I recommend: Comparing many VoIP vendors and packages to find one that fits your company's needs. Though not necessary, using VoIP in conjunction with an existing PBX will allow you to take advantage of the telephone company's 99% up rate.

Don't be talked into moving to a solution that doesn't fit your needs or your budget

Depending on the route you want to take, there may or may not be upfront costs associated with using VoIP. The most economical way to utilize VoIP is by using your existing phones and selecting a provider that uses dedicated lines that provide both voice and data transmission, also know as T1 lines.

I recommend: AT&T offers their CallVantage(R) service plans that offer many business telecommunication solutions designed to fit any budget. Another economical choice is USA Datanet. They offer bundled services to meet the needs of most small and medium-sized businesses. For those companies that have remote offices and an international customer base, Vonage offers unlimited local and long distance calls to anywhere in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and parts of Europe. Finally, some companies may want all of the advantages of having a PBX without having to buy, install and maintain the equipment. In that case, Spirit Telecom's IP Centrex may be the answer. This solution gives you both the savings and convenience of having voice and data transmissions over the same channel.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Specifically ask the business telecommunications solutions professional you are working with about any hidden added costs that may be associated with all the extra features you want.

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Take some courses in telecommunications systems services training

If you want to be successful in business telecommunications services, you should consider taking courses. You don't have to be a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) or network engineer. However, you should be well-versed in the terminology of telecommunication solutions. Taking courses will help you to achieve this and prospective clients will respect your expertise. You want to take courses that cover the fundamentals of telecommunications. You will also want to take courses that will give you hands-on experience in installing, configuring and implementing business phone systems.

I recommend: TCS TeleCommunications Systems offers a course that allows you to configure, manage and troubleshoot systems. This telecommunications business specializes in providing wireless solutions, which consist of data, voice and video, to the government. AOTMP also offers courses in telecommunications.

Learn more about telecommunications solutions through seminars

Seminars are also a great avenue to get telecommunications business solutions education and training. You can learn about the latest trends in business telecommunications. The seminars feature speakers who are experts in the field. You can listen to speakers on how they've implemented VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) in their organizations. Seminars also allow you to ask these experts questions. In addition, you can also learn from your peers' comments.

I recommend: Teracom Training Institute provides seminars in VoIP business telephone services. Its seminars are designed to give you the latest on telecommunications. ATCOM Business Telecom Solutions also offers seminars, which are designed for local businesses to share the latest features in telecommunications.

Watch business telecommunications solutions webcasts

Perhaps you don't have the time to go to seminars or take courses. You can learn more about business telecommunications by watching webcasts instead. Webcasts allow you to watch presentations on your computer. You can also participate in webcasts where you can ask the speaker questions.

I recommend: NTCA has webcasts that focus on the latest issues that Congress or FCC is discussing. Not only can you watch the webcast, but you can also participate in the discussion. BNET also provides webcasts where you can learn about the value that telecommunications provides your business.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Create a glossary of terms in telecom business services. That way, you can always refer to it if you can't remember a certain term.

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Access

Access refers to a time, method, facility or circuit one uses when entering a network. Local exchange carriers and alternate access providers offer services that connect customers with an interexchange carrier through a special access service or a switch access service.

I recommend: The Federal Communications Commission offers an access policy that ensures consumers receive quality telecommunications services at rates they can afford. It offers a link to policies related to access charges.

Backbone

The backbone is the part of a network infrastructure that holds the heaviest traffic. It joins local area networks together inside buildings and across the country using bridges and routers.

I recommend: Economic & Business Geography offers an overview of telecommunication geography. It highlights specific infrastructures considered the backbone of telecommunications.

Calling party number

The calling party number (CPN) is a specific number transmitted through a particular network identifying the calling party.

I recommend: AT&T Intellectual Property discusses the calling party number feature and addresses how a person or business might replace a calling party number.

Lifeline

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides discounted services for households with low income. These services, called Lifeline services, provide a single telephone line for low income households.

I recommend: Mt.gov, the official website for Montana, offers a detailed explanation of how the Lifeline program works. It describes services offered and discusses eligibility and ways a person might apply for the Lifeline program.

Service provider

The service provider (SP) is a particular company providing services for telecommunication.

I recommend: BNET offers papers, studies and other information on a variety of telecommunications service providers. It links to other sites that offer further information on various service provider topics.

Throughput

Throughput measures the overall efficiency, performance and quality of software, protocols and communication links.

I recommend: TechTarget offers advice for telecommunications professionals for optimal communications. It offers advice on throughput including methods for providing high-quality voice services.