How to Set Up Efficient and Effective Remote Teleworker Support

There was a time when the idea of the teleworker was met with the challenge, "how do I know my staff are really working to full capacity and efficiency?" As the Internet and business technology have evolved, the concept of the teleworker has become the greatest single productivity and cost control opportunity for any business, of any size. This is beyond just field sales, as more and more companies are moving office workers to their homes in an effort to reduce the cost of maintaining facilities, and expand operations without adding more overhead or other growing costs. The question is now, "How do you set up efficient and effective remote teleworker support?"

For years, the teleworker solution was Virtual Private Networking and Windows login accounts. In theory, the idea works, but in practice, the technical overhead was a limiting factor. Modern, Unified Communications solutions that leverage VoIP technology not only increase the capacity of the systems, but they also afford greater control over access and functions. The first order of business is communications. Just because an employee can access his or her Windows account, does not mean that employee is connected to the office. A well implemented Unified Communications solution not only connects the teleworker as though he or she were in the office, but also adds far more functionality that just a phone number. Email, instant messaging and video are fully integrated, as are documents and collaboration.

Using advanced Unified Communication solutions, any phone number with a Direct Inward Dialing (DID) number can become an extension on your company network, which is the best part. This provides vital flexibility and can be extended to mobile access as well. When coupled with collaboration and document management, your entire staff can work from anywhere and the only loss is the coffee budget. This means being able to staff up when the office is full, expanding operations without planning for expanding facilities, and greater access to talent. The cost savings of these technologies is well established, and the benefit to productivity and capacity is an important gain to any company of any size.

For this much power, one might assume that it would involve a huge investment of time and capital, but this is a myth. Existing business infrastructure can be integrated, while the solution can be up and running in a very short time. The cost of implementation is effectively zero as many companies realize an immediate ROI by migrating from costly old phone systems and service to more cost efficient and effective VoIP based services. In addition, as overall expenditures and maintenance costs will drop and over time, the savings continue to mount. The only thing needed is the decision to move ahead while finding a partner or distributor who has a flexible Unified Communications solution ready to go. Start up time can be less than a week to achieve full functionality. Teleworkers are valuable assets, and the solution to connect them should not cost more than what they are paid. All businesses should employ a solution such as this, and the time to evaluate one is now.

As the premiere provider of innovative unified communication and mobile business solutions, Zultys empowers businesses to collaborate efficiently and effectively. Zultys MXIE technology integrates and manages all local and remote communication functions in a single interface, bringing together all aspects of voice, messaging, video, email, and fax.

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Implementing Effective Phone and Data Solutions for Branch Offices

Large branch offices are not the center of big corporations anymore. In fact, businesses are increasingly opening branch offices in new locations to expand their market base and capitalize on the available markets that are underserved by the services that these businesses offer. It can start with a salesperson in Kansas who starts producing. In the past, the overhead that comes with opening an office meant that the salesperson had to start building sales first. Modern technologies such as Session Initiation Protocol (the industry VoIP standard) and Unified Communications can create a technological infrastructure that turns the home number or mobile number of that salesperson into an extension of the business' phone network. Once the business brings other staff on board, that capability extends to them and the branch office is born before a lease is signed.

This is not limited to the United States, but encompasses the world seamlessly. This is called infinitely scalable technology, and it means that no limits exist to the number of virtual extensions, or remote offices that a business can create. An increasing number of talented professionals in various industries have home offices as well, such as sales, technical services, and business operations. These industries will oftentimes have facilities for additional personnel, and with the right solution, this location eventually becomes the producing branch office before any real cost is incurred, allowing businesses to expand at virtually any rate, with little cost, and no heavy commitment of resources. Would you not want operations in every state of the union, if you could?

Once on this path, it is vital that the technology platform allow for seamless integration, meaning that the main office and the branch offices are, from the standpoint of the communications solution, one unified system with the ability to route a call to an extension anywhere within the system over the VoIP system - at no calling charge. Reliability is another key factor and Unified Communications benefits from a robust peer-to-peer system that can tap into cloud-based business tools (such as CRM and workforce platforms) for enhanced capabilities while eliminating potential points of failure. If your main office goes offline, your personal smartphone can put you right back in the game and your branch assets continue to work. This includes full data backup and security using the most up to date methodologies.

When you bring all of the pieces together, the picture is of a company that is seamless across platforms and locations, with the ability to expand operations into a new market within days rather than months. They also have the confidence that their infrastructure is solid and reliable. Wouldn't you want to be that company?

As the premiere provider of innovative unified communication and enterprise SIP solutions, Zultys empowers businesses to collaborate efficiently and effectively. Zultys MX250 Enterprise-Class IP PBX offers a feature-rich enterprise-class business IP telephone system supporting VoIP and unified communication services for up to 250 users.

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Video Phone - Is a Cost Effective Video Phone A Reality?

Growing up, one of my favorite Saturday morning cartons was the Jetsons. This program had a very interesting vision of the future. There were flying cars, robots that cook, clean and keep us company and I'll never forget George Jetson discussing dinner plans with his wife Jane over a video communications device. Well, parts of that vision of the future are today's reality. I don't know about you but I don't think most automobile drivers are ready to drive flying cars, but being able to communicate using video is something that's well past due.

The video connections have been around for sometime on the personal computer, through the use of applications such as SKYPE and MSN Messenger. Although the quality of the video has not been the best, it is jittery and pixilated. This is mainly due to the fact that these services are primarily free and thus used by a large portion of the video and audio marketplace.

Recently there has been some progress with video technology; this is mainly due to the advent of VOIP technology. VOIP, which stands for voice over internet protocol, allows the device to communicate voice and data over the technology which powers the internet Now as the speeds that are offered by internet providers have increased from dial-up to broadband, so has the development of digital devices that can connect without having to have a computer to host the connection. Now users don't have to be connected to their computer to make and receive phone calls.

The next logical step is to create digital devices that can not only send and receive voice signals, but can also add video signals to the mix. These types of devices have been quite common in corporate networks that utilize secure high-speed networks to accomplish high quality video teleconferencing, although the high cost of the equipment made them a luxury item at best. Recently the demand for high quality video communication for the home has increased and a few companies answered the call. They have started to develop and market various types of solutions.

The cost-effective, easy to use and a high quality video phone is now a reality. Even the most non technically savvy of us can easy and quickly learn to use today video phones, so they can be used by grandparents, parents and even children without having to be concerned that they will be intimidated by the technology. This is guaranteed since most of these new video phone devices work just like the traditional phones that Ma Bell has been providing for years, with an added bonus of providing a video feed. A few devices even completely replace the existing traditional phones, allowing you to call other video phone, traditional landlines both local and long-distance and cellular phones for a fixed monthly charge.

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Knowing How Effective MPLS VPN Is for Your Business

Are you irritated with internet network errors that affect the operation of your firm? Actually, this is simply not a completely new issue any longer. You have to find out precisely why this problem happens and think of the right remedy to this particular predicament. This is the best thing that you can do. Other individuals are having issues with their visitors trapped in crowded areas. However do you know that it's possible to re-route your online visitors from the busy areas? Now, to provide you with best answer to this specific difficulty, let me introduce you to the MPLS VPN technology.

MPLS VPN is really interesting since it will not merely eliminate your normal concerns but will likewise offer you more alternatives. Can you imagine assisting your website visitors by simply directing them to locations that are not crowded? I would say it's truly a huge help. It's got the capability to improve the flow of network visitors. The system manages this sort of issue to a fairly manageable level so that there is no need for you to fret. There are four areas that MPLS VPN can showcase its superior performance specifically multi-protocol support, VPN network, excellent service and targeted engineering.

It is known as Multi-Protocol simply because it works along with Internet Protocol (IP) and several network protocols, as well as with ATM. Many Wireless support companies utilize this technology mainly because it promotes better quality. Additionally, it lowers delays and sustains up-to-date service to clients particularly in terms of the level of support agreements. Though it is really tough to construe all terminologies here, it will not be so difficult to grasp if you are serious to learn more about this particular service. By the operation process, you will learn to explore and appreciate how the entire thing works online. MPLS VPN has a vital factor in improving the network efficiency of your Internet. It's a wonderful service providing outstanding support in streamlining voice and videos over the data network. Superior companies are integrating Internet with MPLS connection. Why Simply because MPLS assures security.

Now that you have got ample know-how about the amazing MPLS VPN technology, you have to determine whether to take hold of this opportunity by simply subscribing to this technology, or replace your old system to this new one. I assure you that the MPLS VPN technology is there to support online business people and not put us down. Get connected now!

Author is an AT&T master solution provider from Digital Management Solutions who specializes in helping customers make the most out of their communication and network needs. He works tirelessly to provide powerful, efficient and cost effective solutions, such as MPLS VPN and AT&T services, to address clients needs.

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Article Submitted On: May 10, 2011

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Effective Information Management Delivers Success to Your Organization

As we all witnessed the promising advancements in global technology which not only created a great impact on human life style, business psychology, culture, and environment etc but also exhibit a vital role to bind the distributed networks into a single centralized environment. I love to say that now we are living in a global technological arena connected through global tools, life is so fast and information flow is so high. At individual level, management is quite easy but how to quantify metrics when dealing with enterprise level.

Fundamentally, Information Management (IM) is the collection and organization of raw facts (data) from multiple sources and its distribution and dissemination to one or more audience. The most successful information management has been described as getting the right information to the right person in the right format at the right time. Many Organizations (public/Private) are investing to enhance Information Management best practices solutions. This is being driven by diverse factors like need to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes, demands of compliance regulations and keen to deliver better solutions and services. To make a comprehensive Information management strategy, CIO's need to take care of various Critical Success Factors which require basic principles and best practices to plan implement and deploy.

In terms of technology, information management encompasses systems such as:

- Integration and collaboration tools
- Knowledge management
- Content management
- Document/Record management
- Single channel communication network
- Digitization
- Asset/identity/Accounts management
- Learning management Systems

In the context of Enterprise Information Management (EIM) which integrates Business intelligence and enterprise content management. In fact, the whole scenario revolves around system which incorporates people, processes, information architecture, metadata, quality content, technology and much more.

Challenges and trends

In real time environment, after the recent economical crunch, most organizations are facing enormous problems and tackling issues. The year 2009 was marked as phase shift in terms of challenges and trends, and 2010 is ahead to deal with that. To overcome the existing challenges and to look ahead on emerging ones, we canvassed IT industry for future trends...

Following are the most common IM issues:

- Segregation between integrated & collaborated tools and systems
- Mismatch or intermingle responsibilities for Information Management
- Lack of technical documentation
- Unclear strategic direction for the overall technology environment
- Confrontation with limited resources to deploy desire solutions
- Lack of information and effective usage issues
- Un paralleled and non comprehensive strategic alignment in context of business objectives
- Ineffective cloud computing
- Multiple channels for communications
- Asset protection issues in outsourced environment
- Change management issues
- Risk Mitigation
- Greening Information Management Systems

Few are listed above, more need to come up. For substantial compliance, IM policies, procedure should be well defined according to organizational objectives and strategically formatted to deploy solutions for end users.

What to do for rectification?

Effective IM strategic planning lead to the organizational success.

Strategic planning from an IM standpoint relates to the long-term direction an organization wants to take in leveraging IT for improving its business processes. Effective IM strategic planning involves a consideration of the organization's demand for Information management and Information technology supply capacity. Determining IM demands will involve a systematic consideration of the organization's strategic intentions, how these translate into specific objectives and business initiatives, and what IT capabilities will be needed to support these objectives and initiatives.

Keep sharp eye on Information security governance

During strategic planning phase, we need to make sure that proper Information security governance is taking place. Generally responsibility comes up over CEO and CIO's shoulder. For example; if their companies lack structured management policies and fraud or a breach of security occurs, they could be stand to face prosecution. If they won't then their companies could pay a hefty fine and damage to reputation as well. Information security governance should become a focused activity, with specific value drivers that include integrity of information, continuity of services and protection of information assets.

By living in the arena of global networking and extending the enterprise beyond its traditional boundaries, security is emerging as a significant governance issue. Hence, Information security should become an integral part of IT governance but keeping information and systems secure is an ongoing challenge. Threats and vulnerabilities keep changing and getting more sophisticated with respect to time. For special safeguard, we need to take severe measures to make the safe and secure. Internal and external controls need to implement according to geographical requirements.

Steering Committee needs to focus on following functions:

- Review the long and short term plans of the IM department to ensure that they are in accordance with the corporate objectives.
- Approve and monitor major acquisitions and the status of IM plans and budgets, establish priorities, approve standards and procedures and monitor overall IM performance
- Review and approve sourcing and strategies for select, or all, IM activities, including in-sourcing or outsourcing, and globalization or off-shoring of functions.
- Review adequacy of resources and allocation of resources in terms of time, personnel and equipment.
- Make decision regarding centralization vs. decentralization and assignment of responsibility
- Report to board of directors on IM/IS activities

Ensure concrete and concise policies and procedures

Policies and procedures reflect management guidance and direction in developing controls over information management systems and related resources. They represent corporate philosophy and the strategic thinking of senior management and business process owners. To be effective, it must be clear and concise. Periodic checks need to define; it should be adaptive in terms of new advents and significant changes in business processes in exploiting IT for efficiency and effectiveness in productivity and competitive gains.

Conclusion

By implementing comprehensive Information management practice, Organizations can grow, may create dynamic difference and will be focused and more aligned to their business objectives and goals. If it happens then steep growing curve will emerge.

This article has outlined essential features for Information Management and best practice during implementation. Main focus is to highlight the importance IM Implementation. I hope it will cover the intention and objective to keep hot eyes on Information Management during strategic planning and deployment in your organization.

Hina Naz is seasoned Technology/Telecom consultant, Communication specialist,Technical writer and Information trainer having diverse experience with telecom vendor and education. She is extremely focused to ensure results according to timelines and persuaded to strategically and cost effectively utilize technology in alignment with corporate goals. Her proven areas are technology strategic planning, integration and deployment, technical communication, program/Project management, implementing best practice methodologies and continuous improvement program.

Mentoring, Advise and counselling available for intended users.
http://www.nazhina.blogspot.com/

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