VoIP, IP-PBX & TDM Phone Systems Atlanta

The virtual assisting industry has grown by leaps and bounds in the past several years, with more businesses outsourcing and more folks looking for ways to work from home. This is great news for VAs, who are now becoming the “go to” businesses for corporations who are outsourcing or downsizing, and entrepreneurs whose businesses are growing. So, how do you stand out and build your brand? Find a niche and focus your marketing there to become the sought-after expert!

Think about a niche as the intersection of your experience, skills, and talents, and the specific needs of a particular industry. VAs are already part of a niche industry, serving a segment of clients who need assistance, but are not ready or able to hire in-house employees.

How does one create a niche? Hone in on one or two services that you really do well. Perhaps you’re an online marketing whiz, a speedy and spot-on transcriptionist, a talented copywriter, a super systemizer, or a technology master. Research the industry that most intrigues you, and find out where they have specific challenges and needs that would benefit from your talents. This may mean you start parting ways with clients who don’t “fit” as you take on new ones who do. It can be a scary thought, but really, paring down is actually like pruning a shrub – you are creating the space for more business to bloom. Focusing on providing a particular service to a particular type of client also creates a more sustainable business model. Nobody can offer a huge menu of services for a huge variety of clients and do it all well.

Once you have decided upon your direction, begin to shift your marketing focus in that direction. Ask for referrals from the clients you already have who fit your niche. Find out where they network, and create a presence there for yourself, whether it be through in-person networking, social media, advertising. Write and market articles relating to your niche online, submit them to trade magazines that fit your niche, and post them to your blog. Create a Facebook fan page and connect with businesses you would like to use your services. Post to your Facebook page on a regular basis with valuable tips, links and info that your target market wants and needs – not sales pitches.

Stuck on finding a niche? Here are a few growing areas that VAs could look into:

Speakers / Coaches: These entrepreneurs need help with article proofing and marketing, website and shopping cart set-up and maintenance, newsletter editing and e-mail marketing, social media marketing, blog posting, set up podcasts, e-book proofing and formatting, calendar management, teleclass coordination, proposal word processing and editing, copywriting, event coordination, database management, billing, and mailings.

Natural health practitioners: Nutrition counselors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and therapists – may need appointment setters, chart note transcription, word processing journal articles, and help with promoting their services through website, e-mail/online marketing, blog posting, patient mailings, and event coordination.

Education: Busy students and professors need help with interview transcription, proofing, editing and word processing for theses, dissertations, journal articles, research papers, scholarship, fellowship and university applications, research database management. Educational services companies, such as tutoring services, need database management, website and online marketing services, mailing services, invoicing, and appointment setting services.

Job Seekers: The current economy has created a large market of job seekers who are in competition for few positions, and need the perfect dossier. They need skilled writers, editors and designers to edit and design resumes and format supporting documents, create powerpoint and video presentations, websites and blogs, and complete job applications in a polished, professional and eye-catching way.

Creating a niche is as simple as finding what you love to do and do well, and matching it with a need in an industry that interests you. Begin to work with clients in that area, pare down the clients who no longer “fit,” focus your marketing efforts on your particular niche, and you’ll soon be considered an industry expert. As word spreads about your fantastic work, you’ll find you’re the sought-after VA in your niche, doing work that you love!

Donna Toothaker is CEO, founder and coach of Step It Up VA Coaching. These highly sought-after VA coaching programs have been created for established, successful VAs who wish to create the 6-figure business of their dreams. Visit http://www.stepitupva.com to receive the free report, Top 3 Mistakes to Avoid in Creating a 6-Figure VA Business.

Author: Donna Toothaker
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Netbook, Tablets and Mobile Computing

After seeing terrific growth in many large businesses and organizations, internet telephony or VoIP services now motivating small and medium sized organizations to make the most of the same. No doubts, VoIP services can prove remarkably handy for entrepreneurs to add considerable profits to the balance sheets of their businesses. Besides huge savings on business related communication, it can make your employees more productive and useful.

Thousands of providers are working out there. With such a multitude of choices, more often it becomes difficult to choose the right service provider for your business. Many business owners often ask what they need to consider when choosing such services.

Here are some points that business owners must keep in mind when choosing a provider for their business:

1. Reliability: When choosing a VoIP provider, you need to gather maximum information about the service provider you are going to choose for your company. You need to read through customer reviews on their services and ask your friends to help you select a reliable service provider for your business. Better choose a service provider that can provide you with money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with their services.

2. Quality: Want to reap the full advantages of this service? Never compromise on quality! Look for the companies that can provide you with broad bandwidth. In fact, voice service quality and data transfer can be very effective with broad bandwidth.

3. Features: VoIP is a very competitive market and this competition is getting tougher and tougher with every passing day. Considering this factor, many service providers are offering an array of features to stay competitive in the market. Call transferring, caller ID, 3-way calling, call waiting, repeat dialing are some bundled services that many companies are offering these days. Pick the service that offers loads of features at affordable prices.

4. Charges: This idea in rife that the more you spend; the better you get. Though more often quality services are available at considerably higher prices, it doesn’t mean you can’t get reasonably priced quality services. However, you need to do ample research in finding quality services with minimum tariffs.

5. Distance: Businesses that have to depend a lot on longer distance and international calls must choose a service providers that can provide you with local area codes for some particular region.

Considering these 5 points before choosing a VoIP company can definitely make it easier for you to pick a company quite according to your business needs.

Tech is my third and last love and give vent to this love by writing articles on many different popular technologies of these days.

Author: Aftab Bashir
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital TV, HDTV, Satellite TV

VoIP adapter:

VoIP adapter is a device that changes analog voice signals into digital IP packets for transfer over an IP network. This device also changes digital IP packets in analog voice streams. This standard VoIP adapter connects to analog telephones through an FXS port. Then VoIP adapter connects to the Local Area Network (LAN) through Ethemet cable and an RJ45 port. There are various adapters also mark an FXO port so that you can connect to the PSTN.

FXS and FXO Ports:

It is very essential to understand the FXS and FXO ports. An FXO port is a line that connects you POTS line to a VoIP adapter whereas FXS port is a line where it connects station devices like your PBX or phones to a VoIP adapter.

How does it work?

VoIP adapters functions as a link between as analog station device (desktop telephone), the PSTN and IP network. It depends on where the voice traffic begins from a VoIP adapter will change voice traffic in the appropriate outline for receipt by the destination network.

If the voice traffic is instigating from an analog telephone or the PSTN a VoIP adapter will change the analog voice signal in a digital signal. Then this digital signal is compacted by employing a codec and bust into a series of packets that are transported crossways the IP network with a signal protocol. Or if the voice traffic is instigating from IP network the it will decompress the digital packets in a digital signal then it transferred in an analog signal for delivery by the station device or send across the PSTN.

VoIP adapter protocols and codecs:

It is very important to understand the basics of VoIP protocols and codecs, even if you are not technical, so that your adapter work accurately, it must to make use of a protocol and codec that is very well-matched with your VoIP phone system and service as well. This protocol and codec very beneficial as it helps you to increase or decrease the call quality.

VoIP protocols:

A VoIP protocol verifies how your voice packet is transferred across a network. The most popular VoIP protocols are Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), it is a standards-based protocol which is used and maintained by the huge popular of VoIP phone systems and services. Cisco Skinny Client Control Protocol (CSCCP), it is a proprietary protocol which is used by Cisco’s Call Manager and IP phones. MGCP and H.323, they are similar to each other and they are the elder VoIP you might come across. It is no longer generally use.

Voice codecs:

A voice codec is dependable for the firmness of your voice stream in a digital packet. It also verifies sound quality and bandwidth needed to send the packet. The most popular voice codecs are GSM-13 Kbps, iLBC-15Kbps, G.711-64 Kbps, G.722-48/56/64 Kbps, G.726-16/24/32/40 Kbps, G.728-16Kbps and G.729- 8Kbps.

The types of VoIP adapters

There are mainly three types:

Single FXS, it permits you to connect single telephone and it is announced with either single or double Ethernet ports.

Dual FXS, it permits you to connect up to dual telephone and it announced with either one or two Ethernet ports.

FXO/ FXS, it is a type where it permits you to connect one telephone and a one POTS line. These permutation adapters are normally used to offers fail-over or life-line capabilities.

www.topvoipservices.com is the one who provides one stop solution for all your VoIP services. Click here to find out more about the Top VoIP Services.

Author: Shaina Kaur
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Android phones

Running a small business can be exciting and rewarding. But you need to track every detail to stay out of trouble or even to sometimes get you out of trouble. There are numerous tools that can assist you and it is important to become acquainted with and learn new technology that might simplify your life as an entrepreneur.

Here are some tools that can be a great help for you:

For your Accounting/Finance requirement you need to stay on track with your accounts payable, receivables, sales tax collection, customer statements, and payroll. For most of you QuickBooks will be the best software choice. Transactions in QuickBooks do not require complicated accounting knowledge. In addition, QuickBooks users can also now instantly communicate with co-workers through the new QuickBooks Messenger. Further, they can also IM with their accountants. Full sets of business reports can be modified, filtered to your needs.

For your Customer Relationship Management Solution (CRM), there are many products and tools to consider but the preferable choice is Infusion CRM. This is an all-in-one hosted sales and marketing solution. Infusion CRM can automate your entire business process, from marketing and sales support to product billing and lead follow-up. Infusion CRM stores all your leads, prospects, and customers in a single, centralized database. It offers virtually everything in terms of Customer Relation Management

For your productivity we recommend VIP Organizer as one of the best tools. It will help you create and track all of your professional tasks and events. This well-designed software creates and tracks your daily tasks and reminds you about meetings and upcoming events. With just a few clicks of your mouse you can create new tasks with reminders and detailed descriptions and information. With VIP Organizer, managing your time, appointments, meetings, events, projects, and workflow just got easier. This tool is a good organizer, planner, notepad and reminder combined in one strong application.

It also important to think about VOIP tools/services. Take a look at Junction Networks OnSIP. This VoIP offers professional, flexible, business-oriented Internet phone systems for business that, depending on your needs, could be a very good value. This tool has a hosted PBX service that lets you pay-as-you-go and charges you only based on how much you use. A simple portal interface makes it easy for you to add extensions, configure call-forwarding rules, create call groups and more.

And of course, don’t forget to think about having a Collaboration tool. Do you need one document reviewed in real-time by multiple workers who share a special interest? Then you will need the help of a collaboration tool for your small business that finds a way to save you some cash while still getting things done as efficiently as possible. You might try Office Medium or Basecamp. Office Medium integrates popular social networking aspects into the program without making social networking the core building block of the software. Users have their own profiles, activity feeds, statuses, as well as the ability to send private messages, create blog entries, comment on items, vote on polls, and chat. Basecamp is a good choice too, because it has over a dozen mobile applications and is great for project management. It keeps everything organized and allows outsiders to collaborate on the projects that belong to them.

While rewarding and exciting, running a small business is not an easy task. You need to know how and have a plan to manage and organize everything efficiently and effectively. But once you have what you need to help you run your company smoothly, then the fun begins. Do some research and see which of these tools will help get you to where you need to be.

New Harbor Design is a monthly design and marketing service agency specializing in marketing solutions that get you results. http://www.newharbordesign.com/

Author: Beth Oliver
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Cellphone, mobile phone

Problems with VoIP at present are:

a. not getting a dial tone
b. not sure that the call is going to the correct party
c. echo
d. caller ID reporting a completely different number
e. poor sound dropped calls
f. intermittent loss of service
g. voice or data packets getting lost
h. latency*, jitter**, delay***, and dropped packets
i. problems with internet routers affecting the quality of the call
j. VoIP goes down when your power, internet connection, broadband connection goes down; also depend on the resources of the computer if you are using “soft phones” like Skype
k. viruses, worms, hack attacks that bring down the internet can also bring down your phone system when it is IP-based

You can increase VoIP reliability by:

a. power backups
b. redundant internet connections
c. dedicated internet connection from VoIP; separate from your data network
d. redundant VoIP lines

The technology that VoIP & PSTN use…

PSTN uses circuit switching technology; whereas VoIP uses packet switching technology
In circuit switching technology (PSTN), there is a dedicated circuit that stays open between the caller and receiver for the entire time; that circuit cannot be used by anyone else during that time.

In packet-switched network (VoIP), there is no constant connection maintained; the voice signal is digitized and broken into small packets that are sent through a series of routers. The packets are reassembled at the destination and turned back into voice.

In total, the small amount of bandwidth used by one PSTN phone call can be shared by several VoIP calls.

The security strategy that should be implemented to protect VoIP from hacks…

Multi-layered security strategy of your VoIP, which slows down the process involves:
a. firewall packet filters
b. application filters
c. encryption protocols
d. decryption protocols
e. authentication access control mechanism

Although each of these layers delays the process a little bit, you should not skimp on your VoIP security as the effect is cumulative and can be enough to affect call quality.

The first step in creating a more secure VoIP network is to separate VoIP network from your data network using VLAN-capable switches. This means:
a. put VoIP phones on a separate virtual LAN with non-routable (private) addresses
b. do not allow interaction between Internet-connected PCs and VoIP components
c. use access control lists (ACLs) to prevent communication between the VLANs

VoIP is more vulnerable to attacks than the PSTN network because of the public nature of the IP network and its protocols; but by taking carefully planned, multi-layered approach security strategies, companies can make VoIP as secure as traditional phone systems.

*Latency refers to amount of time it takes for a packet to reach its destination. According to ITU, the maximum acceptable delay for work for voice transmissions is about 150 ms. Even dialup is adequate in regard to lag time; however, cellular, with delays of up to 600 ms, does not work so well until you get up to the 3G level.

**Jitters refer to uneven transmissions, with data flowing in quickly at times and being delayed at other times. Jitter results in echo.

***Delay results in high latency. Packets can be delayed at a router or other gateway that they pass through or travel more slowly along a low-bandwidth link or one that is crowded with a large amount of traffic.

Resources:

My Blog

Author: Pavan M Kumar
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital Camera Information

Problems with VoIP at present are:

a. not getting a dial tone
b. not sure that the call is going to the correct party
c. echo
d. caller ID reporting a completely different number
e. poor sound dropped calls
f. intermittent loss of service
g. voice or data packets getting lost
h. latency*, jitter**, delay***, and dropped packets
i. problems with internet routers affecting the quality of the call
j. VoIP goes down when your power, internet connection, broadband connection goes down; also depend on the resources of the computer if you are using “soft phones” like Skype
k. viruses, worms, hack attacks that bring down the internet can also bring down your phone system when it is IP-based

You can increase VoIP reliability by:

a. power backups
b. redundant internet connections
c. dedicated internet connection from VoIP; separate from your data network
d. redundant VoIP lines

The technology that VoIP & PSTN use…

PSTN uses circuit switching technology; whereas VoIP uses packet switching technology
In circuit switching technology (PSTN), there is a dedicated circuit that stays open between the caller and receiver for the entire time; that circuit cannot be used by anyone else during that time.

In packet-switched network (VoIP), there is no constant connection maintained; the voice signal is digitized and broken into small packets that are sent through a series of routers. The packets are reassembled at the destination and turned back into voice.

In total, the small amount of bandwidth used by one PSTN phone call can be shared by several VoIP calls.

The security strategy that should be implemented to protect VoIP from hacks…

Multi-layered security strategy of your VoIP, which slows down the process involves:
a. firewall packet filters
b. application filters
c. encryption protocols
d. decryption protocols
e. authentication access control mechanism

Although each of these layers delays the process a little bit, you should not skimp on your VoIP security as the effect is cumulative and can be enough to affect call quality.

The first step in creating a more secure VoIP network is to separate VoIP network from your data network using VLAN-capable switches. This means:
a. put VoIP phones on a separate virtual LAN with non-routable (private) addresses
b. do not allow interaction between Internet-connected PCs and VoIP components
c. use access control lists (ACLs) to prevent communication between the VLANs

VoIP is more vulnerable to attacks than the PSTN network because of the public nature of the IP network and its protocols; but by taking carefully planned, multi-layered approach security strategies, companies can make VoIP as secure as traditional phone systems.

*Latency refers to amount of time it takes for a packet to reach its destination. According to ITU, the maximum acceptable delay for work for voice transmissions is about 150 ms. Even dialup is adequate in regard to lag time; however, cellular, with delays of up to 600 ms, does not work so well until you get up to the 3G level.

**Jitters refer to uneven transmissions, with data flowing in quickly at times and being delayed at other times. Jitter results in echo.

***Delay results in high latency. Packets can be delayed at a router or other gateway that they pass through or travel more slowly along a low-bandwidth link or one that is crowded with a large amount of traffic.

Resources:

My Blog

Author: Pavan M Kumar
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital Camera News