7 Reasons To Switch To Firefox, The Browser With A Conscience

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Editor's note: This post was originally published by our partners at PopSugar Tech.

"You probably spend more time in your browser than in bed," Johnathan Nightingale, VP of Firefox Engineering, said recently. And he's right: spending lots of time on the Internet is our reality — guilty as charged. We (as in you, me, and the rest of the online world) rely on the Web a great deal, which is why our choice of browser, our means of transport within the World Wide Web, is crucial.

We're "living online," Johnathan says, pointing, clicking, and scrolling through most of our waking moments, and our browsers should help us, the globe's cybercitizens, be more productive and communicate more effectively.

And while Web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, etc.) may not seem all that different, little details can make a huge difference. We downloaded the latest build of Firefox for desktop and mobile, talked to some of the Mozilla crew about what's next for the red panda of the Internet, and thought: maybe it's time to switch browsers. Take a look at seven reasons to make the move to Mozilla Firefox, and let us know: will you switch?

1. A Browser With A Conscience

Mozilla is a nonprofit, which is not something you hear often when it comes to Internet companies. It's mission is to build a more open, innovative web, which means that it is not concerned with trying to monetize your web activity or push you into services that you don't want.

2. Tab-Forward

Firefox does tabs better than any other browser. "Pinning" tabs collapses them and makes more room on top of your browser window so that you can surf through more pages at once. The browser is also smart enough to know what tabs you have open, so if you navigate to that same site, it'll automatically take you to that tab. No redundancy. There are also special "app tabs," which use the Mozilla Social API to keep pages like Twitter, Facebook or Web mail running in the background. They'll let you know if you have a notification so you don't need to keep checking the page.

3. Drag-And-Drop Customization

This one is pretty self-explanatory. If you want to customize your toolbar, all you need to do is drag and drop items to rearrange or add new bookmarks. Firefox will show you a zoomed-out view of your custom browser so you know exactly what it'll look like.

4. Reader Mode In Android

In March, the UX team introduced Project Readability, an initiative to make reading articles on the Web better for mobile. The team scoured the Web for a font that was "beautiful, but didn't have too much character" to use in its reader mode for Android.

5. Hyper-Secure Browsing

Firefox has what's called mixed content protection, which means that if it sees that a page is mostly secure but has some insecure stuff, like a plug-in it doesn't recognize or a fishy-looking autoplay video, it'll present you the webpage with the secure pieces intact and shut down the insecure content. Do Not Track is automatically enabled to prevent sites from tracking your web activity and selling that data to advertisers. The security settings aren't buried somewhere, either; in Firefox, they're easy to find, navigate, enable, and disable with the settings button and visual tab icons.

6. They Name Their Builds After Constellations

The next version of Firefox is code-named Australis. Because space is rad.

7. Firefox OS

We first heard news of a Firefox-powered smartphone back in February, a completely Web-based mobile operating system with HTML5 apps. On June 3, Foxconn announced a partnership with Mozilla to implement the Firefox OS on Foxconn devices. The phone will be affordable and the ecosystem is intended to be extremely accessible to developers. Johnathan is most anticipating the potential for the Firefox Phone to bring more people around the world online and offer them access to an open Internet.

There are many compelling reasons to make Firefox your default browser, but are they enough? When it comes down to it, the browser you choose depends on your Web habits and what works for your computer. Give Firefox 21 a stab (or Aurora if you're an early adopter), and keep an eye out for the next version, Australis, when it becomes available.

 

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Four Major Reasons That WiMax Works Faster Than Wi-Fi

Understanding the technology of one's devices isn't something most Americans are exactly pining after. For one thing, that would require actually sitting down and being engaged enough to do some research, which doesn't always strike one's fancy. And for another, even if the information was present for large chunks of that kind of tech-savvy data, it wouldn't pan out in the proper way. People tend to get a bit freaked out when they are trying to understand exactly how it is that devices are able to ping information back and forth, and most of the time, the fact that it gets done without incident is the most important selling factor. Thus, it can be difficult to actually stir up some actual interest in how a device actually manages to get things going.

So while not everyone who has a laptop and wireless internet is interested in hearing about how there's something better out there, plenty of customers will actually sit down and listen, provided the explanation does not lean too much on the ridiculously overblown technical specifications. Instead of a digital dog and pony show, here are four major reasons that WiMax works faster than Wi-Fi, meaning those who care about speed should look into making that switch right now, rather than waiting for an old dog of technology to learn some new tricks.

#1 - Because the technology is inherently different. Wi-Fi is designed to cover a small area. It's developed with the idea of a cordless phone; take something that's already providing a space with something, and then figure out a way to make it more convenient for that space. It's not looking to move that signal elsewhere, just to provide a more aesthetically pleasing environment for one's desk. And that kind of technology can't leap forward in a new era.

#2 - Because routers are going to be slower than networks that are nationwide. Routers are designed to handle sending and receiving information from a single device or a couple of devices, not 20 or 30 computers. It makes sense to go with a nationwide network for those who are expecting something speedy every single time, and WiMax never ends up lagging, which makes it the perfect pick.

#3 - Because there is a 4G network in play. This means that the actual network is a next-generation step, the latest forward thus far. And when dealing with the latest, it is often safe to assume that one is also dealing with the greatest; in this case, the most amount of power possible to keep data flowing back and forth without incident.

#4 - Because there are towers everywhere designed to bounce that signal. And this means no dropped connections or stressed-out moments trying to figure out why there suddenly is no signal available, neither of which are particularly fun ways to spend one's time. It's just a superior method of connecting, one that can stay the same no matter the location, and that's definitely something to keep in mind when making that final decision.

For the nuts and bolts about the various different speeds for getting connected to the world wide web these days, http://www.getclearwirelessinternet.com/high-speed-wimax-technology.html has the information.

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What Are The Reasons For Increased Use Of Voice Conferencing Service?

Global economy is slowly reviving and bringing a change in the mindset of business owners. As a result, business organizations are not limited to their premises only and have crossed over geographical barriers. They are using latest communication technologies like voice conferencing and enabling their employees to attend business meetings, seminars and other business related training at different branches across the world. They are also using phone conference solutions to keep in touch with their company employees, business partners and investors regularly and take unanimous decisions whenever required. In this way, they are able to reduce their travel expenditure, increase productivity and save their employees from wasting time in traveling distant places. This is one of the most important reasons why voice conferencing otherwise known as audio conferencing is becoming popular among every small to large scale business organization.

What is Voice Conferencing?

Voice conferencing is an advance communication method which uses telecommunication system to facilitate online exchange of information among multiple persons through machines situated in far-flung areas. To be precise, phone conference or teleconference is the process of making a conference call over phone that could connect two or persons and help them to share message, file and documents.

Possible Reasons For Growing Use of Teleconferencing

Teleconferencing is the easiest and cheapest way to carry out online meeting with business partners, investors or interact with colleagues or juniors working in the distant places. Several web conferencing solution providers are there in market that play crucial in providing video conferencing service and making the call routing possible among multiple participants. They allow participants to use an easy to install and operate interface and get real-time voice conferencing service at competitive price.

The audio conference solutions are available in different packages for full or discount price that can be decided as per customer's individual communication needs. In addition to this, the phone conference call participants can have access to advance communication features like call recording, line muting, echo cancellation and dial out the attendee together with the facility to make immediate calls to any remote places without any restriction.

Basically, popularity of video conferencing service depends on its reliability, convenience and usefulness. It reduces communication expenditure and permits business owners to conduct key business meetings while having the luxury to sit at office. For this, they neither have to check out flight details nor wait in line to book the tickets. What they have to do is to dial up connection and make audio conference calls to start interacting with partners and clients over phone.

Voice conferencing service turns out to be the cost-effective as compared to other forms of conference. It not only minimizes the operation cost of business organizations and individuals but also give them high return on investment. The audio conference companies use latest communication gadgets and technology to give businesses greater profit along with a reliable option for communication. You can ask for service details from voice conferencing service providers and choose the package that suits your business requirement. So, be ready to use audio conference solutions in restructuring your business interaction and take your business to advance level.

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Top 5 Reasons Web on TV Is Coming to Your Living Room

DirectTV, Comcast, AT&T and other service providers are costly.
Let's face it, the internet doesn't care if its raining outside, but your satellite dish clearly does. With service providers such as Direct TV, Comcast, & AT&T charging an arm and a leg for movie channels many consumers are now turning towards the web for their media experience.On-demand video is coming to your HD mobile phones.
Did you know that your new mobile smart-phones are capable of outputting 720p HD quality with 1080 just around the corner? That means you can hook up your phone directly to any HD-capable TV and stream NetFlix, Hulu.com, Blockbuster On-demand from your phone. With larger hard drives, and memberships to these on demand services, you will soon have your entire DVD library available at the touch of your mobile device. Think about it, how often do you buy CD's anymore? Not nearly as often as most are downloading to their ipods or mp3 players! The power of being able to link with any HD-capable television on-the-fly is a resource we are just beginning to tap.Linking your computer to your TV is now easier with wireless TV to computer hardware.
Why pay a technician to drill holes in your wall when you can wirelessly connect your laptop or computer to your TV? When it comes to the setup and installation we still strongly recommend that you use a professional Computer to TV Installation Service. Your TV remote is quickly turning into a QWERTY keyboard!. Samsung has launched a QWERTY flip remote in light of Internet use on televisions becoming increasingly popular. With new smart TV's such as Google TV and more, many consumers are now browsing the web from their home TV.The number of free online streaming websites are growing each day.
Sites like Hulu.com are making watching TV from your computer a breeze. Want to follow your favorite television show on Hulu? You can setup a free account and subscribe to the show, and it will play the episodes sequentially right after one another! With "apps" becoming more popular as well Hulu has leveraged desktop applications to play streaming video straight from your desktop.One language to rule them all.
The new HTML5 web standard is rapidly becoming adopted across all web browsers and mobile devices. This is nerd speak for "videos will be easier to interact with". With increased support for the HTML5 video tag watching video becomes native and no longer dependent on plugins like Adobe Flash, and Apple QuickTime.This article has been viewed 10 time(s).
Article Submitted On: April 07, 2011

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Present Using Webinars Instead Of The Teleseminars For These Reasons

When you present using the teleseminar, you stream your voice live to anyone who calls on the telephone. But with the webinar, people can see your screen, which means they get a live streaming video presentation in addition to hearing your voice. You should present using a webinar, which means video, instead of a teleseminar because you can show people instead of just telling them.

You can demonstrate and clarify even if that demonstration only consists of bullet points and screen shots. When I tell you that you can stream the video on your computer to people, it sounds scary, doesn't it? But the good news is people don't have to see your face. They can be viewing just your computer screen, which means your desktop, a PowerPoint presentation, or your web browser. This means people see only what you want them to see, and it's very easy for you to rip up a PowerPoint design and a PowerPoint presentation in just a few minutes.

No matter what you do, especially if you're explaining a step by step system or some kind of software, audio alone won't cut it. That's why it's important on a webinar to be able to demonstrate something, which might mean pull up a piece of software, pull up a web page, or just show diagrams and/or pictures to make sure people understand your point. There's no harm in explaining a concept, then showing it and explaining it again so people understand it.

Finally, you can be half-assed when it comes to showing some kind of visual image. What's a PowerPoint? It's just several slides existing of titles and bullet points. And you probably would write some kind of a map or notes to keep your presentation on track, so you might as well show those bullet points to your audience to help them follow along, as well. In addition, you can take pictures or screen shots and replace them as different slides on your PowerPoint presentation, and your webinar can still be very entertaining when it is simply you talking over a visual slide show. I hope those three things convince you to run a webinar in place of your next teleseminar, because you can show video, even if it's just a PowerPoint presentation. You can demonstrate some action and clarify your step by step how to information for your audience, and you can show something as simple as bullet points or screen shots.

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7 Reasons Why You Can't Go Wrong With Wimax

There are currently a number of different providers to choose from in the realm of cellular internet, but that doesn't mean they're all good choices. If you're not careful, you could end up choosing a service that isn't future-proof or one that has yet to prove itself now. Thankfully, there is an option that you really can't go wrong with: Wimax. The following are all excellent reasons why you'd be making the right decision by choosing that standard.

1. It's fast. You can judge an internet connection in a number of different ways, but probably the criteria that matters the most is speed. If your particular connection isn't up to par in this area, you're not going to think very highly of it no matter how good it is in other areas. Thankfully, your new cellular solution will feature transfer rates that hover around 6 megabits per second, which means that it will be able to handle anything the internet sends your way including high definition video, streaming audio, and more.

2. It's also going to be fast in the future too. Unlike HSPA+, Wimax isn't based heavily on the 3G network. On the contrary, it makes use of a completely new network that is projected to have transfer rates as high as 100 megabits per second in the future. In other words, you can be sure that your solution will be able to grow as the internet grows.

3. It's reliable. Some people unfairly characterize wireless connections as being inherently unreliable thanks to equipment used early on, but Wimax is considered much more sophisticated. Since it's based on reliable cellular technology, you will be able to travel all throughout the coverage area without experiencing any disconnections.

4. It's secure. Once again, people should put aside any preconceived notions they might have. For example, there are all sorts of security horror stories floating around related to Wifi networks, but the latest in cellular connectivity makes use of extremely effective encryption. When it comes down to it, you can expect the same kind of security that cable or DSL both feature, which is to say that your sensitive data is not going to get into the wrong hands.

5. It's affordable. Wimax knows that it has to compete with cable and DSL along with all the other cellular standards out there and they've priced their plans accordingly. Have a look online and you might be pleasantly surprised at what you see.

6. It has been around longer than its competitors. There is no good substitute for experience, and that's why you should choose the cellular internet provider that has been around the longest. Even though HSPA+ is based on 3G technology, it hasn't been around all that long. Long Term Evolution or LTE is the newest of the bunch and definitely hasn't had time to prove itself. Wimax on the other hand has been around is ready for the masses.

7. No additional services will be required. Cable and DSL often make you sign up for cable TV or phone service, respectively, but you won't have to sign up for anything but internet once you choose to go cellular.

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Five Reasons to Use Wireless Internet While Telecommuting

The excitement of working while still wearing pajamas can suddenly be yanked away when a grown-up realizes that sitting at one's home office in pajamas might not necessarily be the most helpful way to be spending days and days. Such is the cycle of telecommuting, when people realize what might have initially sounded great--setting one's own schedule, wearing whatever--can also feel as though one has been confined to a particular space. And this becomes even more true for those who haven't made the upgrade to wireless internet at home--or those who refuse to put on pants and go take advantage of Wi-Fi signal elsewhere. Here five crucial reasons to make that kind of step forward, rather than keeping odd hours for no particular reason.

#1 - It means that those who need some discipline to move to a different space can set up their own schedules. And this is a crucial part of being able to find work these days anyway, considering the fact that people are more interested in the ability of things to get done, not the space when those tasks are actually accomplished and the locale that gets them done. With wireless internet, being able to turn any space into a reliable workspace becomes possible, and it also might mean being able to take on more work, too.

#2 - There's no need to be stuck at a desk on nice sunny days. This is a major morale factor, and one that cannot be taken lightly. For those kinds of people who are sick of being trapped indoors all day long and who have decided to work remotely to have a breather from time to time, there is no finer way than with the chance to move outside for a couple of hours with the same connection.

#3 - Getting out of the house but still getting work done becomes feasible. Some people work well with wireless internet in crowded locales, while others would prefer to be more in control of their environment. Either way, both options become feasible with the wonder of actually being able to connect in a variety of different spots around the city or around the country. And even those who think this option isn't great for telecommuting might change opinions after having that kind of freedom a couple of different times.

#4 - Other people can still use the world wide web when they happen to be home at the same time. For those who are sharing households with those who aren't at the office or at school all of the time, this can be an important way to keep everyone happy and contented, rather than stressed about their computer time.

#5 - With speedier 4G connections, being mobile doesn't have to mean being stressed. Plenty of responsible telecommuters are more focused on the fact that they are going to be unable to complete particular assignments from locales where there is less than the best possible signal. But fortunately, these days the Wi-Fi can handle sending and receiving huge chunks of information, so if an entire report has to be uploaded or there is other work to be done, it becomes less of a nightmare and more of a task that can be accomplished.

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10 Reasons Why Your Business Should Be in the Cloud

You likely already use cloud computing in your personal life, whether it's checking your e-mail, listening to online radio, keeping track of your finances or storing photos. The same convenience and improvements cloud computing offers in your personal life translate into your work life, as bringing your business into the cloud has many benefits that will help your budget and streamline productivity.

We've put together a list of the top 10 reasons why you should consider using the cloud to your business advantage.

1. Instead of purchasing expensive hardware or software to use a particular program, cloud computing gives you access to programs or applications powered by someone else's servers and networks. The cost savings from not having to pay for equipment and programs that will quickly become outdated will be extremely helpful to your budget.

2. You'll save money on data storage because your systems won't be burdened with as much memory-consuming digital information. Cloud computing enables you to store and manage data outside of your own computer network.

3. Most cloud-based solutions take extreme precautions to protect your data so that you can feel comfortable storing it outside your own location.

4. Your entire organization will be able to collaborate on projects even if you have teams in different countries or continents. Everyone will be able to work simultaneously on the same documents, presentations, videos and more. Many businesses both small and large are successfully using cloud computing to collaborate on projects on a global scale.

5. If you don't have access to your computer and need to access an important file, it's not a problem. You can use any web-enabled device such as a smartphone, tablet device, or netbook to log into the cloud-based solution you use and find the data you need.

6. Certain cloud-based services give you the ability to increase your processing power. Even if you just need boosted processing capabilities for a short time, you can do it without investing heavily in expensive equipment.

7. Small businesses can leverage the cloud to access tools that they would normally have trouble affording.

8. Large businesses can use the cloud to equip the entire organization with tools that previously had to be installed on each computer, which ate up IT time and was costly.

9. Your employees won't have hardware or software issues resulting from cloud computing, so your IT team will be able to focus on other issues.

10. Finding ways to integrate cloud computing into your business now will pay off later, as more and more business functions can be performed in the cloud. Think of it as a wise investment in your company's future that also pays big dividends in the present.

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Reasons to Choose Business Broadband

In the past decade, the world has seen tremendous changes in the field of technology and these changes made us more comfortable. Starting from a simple tube light we use till the highly complex computers and internet, everything runs on technology. It is in fact very difficult to imagine life without it. Computers especially have undergone drastic changes and there is nothing in this world which you cannot access through the internet. Just by the click of a mouse, you can eat, shop, buy, sell and study. Computers without the internet are highly useless and the broadband is being used on a large scale to run online businesses. Business telephone systems too run on broadband connections and it is very easy to communicate with people who stay on the other side of the planet.

When it comes to choosing internet for home purposes, it is comparatively easy and you needn't scout for options. But picking up internet for businesses is entirely different and speed matters a lot. There are a lot of things that determine your decision and in this regard a business broadband is simply unbeatable. Online businesses need speed for chatting, online streaming, uploading and downloading files and even gaming. Slow internet can bring losses many times and it is of no use for the owners. Business broadband is always the best for those who want the internet in every hour of the day. If you still have second thoughts about taking a business broadband connection, here are a few reasons why you should choose it.

- Speed is what it offers to its customers and there is no looking back in this regard. People who need to upload and download huge files within a very short span of time will find the business broadband very advantageous. Browsing too is fast when compared to the ordinary internet connections. Video streaming and chatting will now happen in a jiffy and you needn't wait in front of the computer for the streaming to be completed.

- Security of the network is possible only with the business broadband. People can actually gain access to your internet connection if it is not secured. Mischief mongers will also try to gather your data without your knowledge. With the business broadband, nobody can reach your networks and you can be rest assured about the protection of your data.

- Support from the customer care is another aspect you should look at in an internet connection. You just cannot predict when your net connection would start acting smart and all of a sudden you might be stuck with it. Proper technical support and immediate help is offered only by the business broadband and it is resolved within minutes.

As an online business owner, you would obviously look for these features. Business broadband would be your only savior and it is all your money's worth. Get a broadband connection today and see how it helps your business by providing uninterrupted internet services.

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Top 3 Reasons to Perform an Online Broadband Comparison

What do you users do when looking for a car to buy? They go from car lot to car lot. They then usually begin to walk around the car and maybe even kick a few tires. Well, when searching for a Broadband internet connection users may benefit by doing the equivalent of "kicking tires" to find the best broadband deals around.

Why is searching for a Broadband internet connection important in the first place? There are three main reasons you should compare your current broadband connection against other providers to find the best deals available.

Money - It is crucial because consumers could be wasting a lot of money for a slow internet connection, and they could have one much faster for the same price or less. Some broadband providers offer discounts on length of service contracts is it important to check how much it is for the connection from month to month or yearly.

Customer Service - If users have a problem with their broadband connection, they want an ISP (Internet Service Provider) to offer great support to get them back up and surfing the web.

Requirements - If users are surfing the internet for information, downloading videos, or playing games online then they are consuming bandwidth and downloading data. This is important because the quality of what users are doing is going to be affected by the broadband speed and download limits their current broadband packages have.

Accordingly, how can consumers go about searching for a new broadband provider? It is quite simple. Consumers can go to one of the major search engines like Google or Yahoo. Type broadband comparison or compare broadband as a query and compare the many providers and the broadband packages and offers they have available.

Consequently, if people have an internet service provider already, they can test out the speed they are currently being provided with. It is quite simple, users can simply search the internet for broadband speed test and find many sites that will inform them what speeds they are getting with their current broadband provider. This can often show that they are not getting the speeds they are paying for with their current broadband package.

In brief, choosing a Broadband internet connection is not the biggest decision users will make their lives but it is one that can cost you money and time. By performing a broadband comparison search or broadband speed test users can save both and perhaps find a deal that is more suited to their requirements and their wallet.

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10 Amazing Reasons To Use A Postcard

As I look around I see people spending hours on social media websites and logging into their email accounts multiple times a day. Sure, I understand how great it is to communicate with people all over the globe - but who wants to be doing it ALL day? What about getting out there and sending a simple postcard now and then? If you can handle that, here's a few good reasons to use a postcard right now...

1. When you're travelling send a vacation or holiday postcard so people know where you are (remember to add a nice stamp from the country you're presently in!)

2. The photo on your postcard can tell your story and express your feelings. A nice beach scene can usually indicate a relaxed holiday. On the other hand, an exterior casino postcard picture might indicate you've been spending a lot of hard earned cash!

3. Feel good syndrome. Let your friends know you're travelling overseas for the 32nd time this year, and who said anything about stopping?

4. Responsive postcards for business. A postcard can be a great tool for getting some business feedback, offering discounts or specials or to revitalize old customers.

5. Postcards are great for showing a folio. If you're a designer, a photographer or do a service that might present well on a postcard then make sure you utlize this tool right now!

6. If you're fond of stamps (or collect postcards), then a postcard is the perfect tool to attach the stamp to and send it. Much better than on an envelope, don't you think?

7. Send your love. Send birthday greetings or a Christmas hello. Wrap your feelings up in a postcard and send it whenever you feel inspired.

8. Make a business with postcards. Put your own pictures or products onto a postcard and let people know what it is you do and what you can offer them!

9. Postcard advertising. Pretty much any sort of service or product works well as postcard advertising. Plus the more attractive photo you can use on the front of the card, the more likely you'll 'stick around!'

10. Postcard invitations. Postcards are an ideal tool to invite people to weddings, anniversaries, school celebrations, birthday parties, etc. You'll get the word out there quickly and easily using a postcard!

See how powerful (and effective) postcards can be in comparison to jumping online just to send a few emails? It's a whole different way of thinking! Plus it's going to win you a LOT more friends too!

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The Top Five Reasons Why Unified Communications Fail

If you are planning to deploy a unified communications (UC) platform, keep the following pitfalls in mind to keep your implementation process as smooth as possible.

1. Shiny Object Syndrome
Don't put the cart before the horse. Rather than choosing from all of the fancy features available or just going with what your IT department decides, take a close look at how your business really operates and how the users will be interfacing with the system. If you choose a UC system that is too complicated or cumbersome to use because it is the "newest shiny object" available on the market, your users will most likely avoid the system. Once you figure out what your users' needs are, it will be much easier to select a UC platform that will work seamlessly with your existing methods of doing business.

2. Biting Off More Than You Can Chew
It is important to only buy as much system as you need. Unified Communications are designed to help your business operate more efficiently by allowing people to communicate and/or exchange information across various devices. You can always implement a UC system in phases or add on more components as they are needed in the future. It usually takes 1 - 2 years to roll out a successful implementation. Be patient and give your users time to adapt to the system as well as giving yourself time to start seeing the return on your initial investment.

3. Determining Cost of Ownership
Although it may be difficult to determine the total costs associated with buying, owning and operating a unified communications platform until it goes live, be sure to factor in time that the IT department may need to spend answering questions and teaching people how to use the system. Another consideration is long-term costs. For example, a UC platform designed for a midsize enterprise with 1,000 users will require 10 servers in a Microsoft environment, five servers with Cisco and two with Avaya-an 80 percent cost difference in hardware alone. That doesn't include the cost of hardware maintenance and system administrators.

Beware of paying licensing costs for features that you don't use because of the way the software licensing is sometimes bundled as an "all or none" deal, which may not end up being such a good deal in the long run. Knowing the front-end costs (hardware, software, licensing) as well as the back-end costs (administration, maintenance, service delivery) upfront can go a long way toward understanding the bottom-line costs of a UC implementation.

Here are some ways to measure your return on investment:

Internet Protocol transport savingsReduced mobile phone costsIncreased employee efficiencySavings in upgrading to a more modern communications platform

4. Communication
It is important for the management and IT department to provide clear direction, guidance and expectations for the implementation of a new system. An effective change management program begins with a clear plan for when each stage of the deployment will take place and setting expectations about what types of changes users should make and see as a result. Providing ample training opportunities is also key to a successful implementation.

5. Vendor and Partner Selection
Luckily, there are a few unified communications vendors that offer complete enterprise-wide solutions as well as expert help in assessing your company's needs and customizing a solution for you. You need to consider your partner choice carefully and should plan to evaluate at least four vendors before making your final selection. According to the Info-Tech Research Group, "The fact is that for most enterprises, the selection of the product itself should be secondary to the strength and vision of the vendor, and the knowledge and expertise of the integrator."

Because a unified communications implementation is one of the most important decisions your company will make, be sure to shop around for the best solution for your specific needs, your budget, and the most supportive partner to help you create a solid strategy and plan for success. Change happens slowly at times but it often turns out to be exactly the kind of change an organization needs to improve operations, reduce costs and remain competitive.

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