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Voice & Data Networks

Decision making information every month

 
Welcome back to our monthly newsletter and Happy New Year! Keep up with technology and hear about new ways to grow your business.

This month we tell you how we moved a customer with 450 phones over a single weekend. We also address some of the myths associated with teleworking and introduce you to a new IP offering from Avaya that turns teleworking into a true “plug-and-play” experience. Then we highlight some of the benefits of running voice over Wireless LANs. This is followed by an overview of our wiring services.

TCI helps top law firm prepare for exponential growth

 
With an expanding staff of over 450, the firm of Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt has grown steadily to become one of the nation’s premiere specialists in intellectual property protection, patents, and trademarks.

When the firm outgrew its offices in Washington, DC they chose a new building in Alexandria, VA to accommodate their future expansion. But the move had to be completed over a single weekend. To meet this challenge, the firm turned to their technology partner of 22 years – TCI.

TCI wired the 212,000 square-foot, 7-story building for voice and data. Server and LAN rooms were set up and network equipment was installed and configured. ISDN PRIs and T1s were coordinated, and TCI upgraded the firm’s Mitel SX2000 phone and voice mail systems. During the weekend move over 450 phones were installed and set up. On Monday morning – without skipping a beat – the firm resumed business at their new location.

If you’re facing an “impossible” relocation challenge, call TCI at (800) 824-1001 or tcimail@tcicomm.com.
 

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Telework - Separating fact from fiction 
 
The technology required to implement a telework program is reliable and cost effective. So any lingering concerns about adopting a telework program could be costing your business. Increase your productivity and reduce overhead. TCI's experts can help you determine the bottomline benefits of telework in your business.

Some managers believe that if they let one employee telework, they’ll have to let everyone do it - and they won’t know if employees are actually working. It is true that not all jobs or all people are suited for telework, but where there is a good fit, telework can transform how business gets done and help you retain talent. Many organizations employ a flexible approach to telework, supporting it where it makes good business sense.

The simple test for whether teleworkers are actually working - is the work getting done? Consider that the average 40-minute commute equals eight working weeks per year. With less time commuting, teleworkers are less stressed and far more productive.

Teleworkers stay connected with their colleagues using a variety of easy-to-use business communication tools. Productive meetings can be conducted via conference call or videoconference. Today's services are simple to set up and cost effective.

Work is something you do, not a place you go… learn more about the power of telework, contact us at (800) 824-1001 or tcimail@tcicomm.com.
 

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How you can benefit with voice over Wireless LANs

Wireless LANs (WLANs) are known for their ability to transfer data and support PC applications needed on the road, such as a Web browsing and checking e-mail. WLANs can also be used for carrying telephone traffic for users moving around your business location.

The key benefits of mixing telephone traffic with data on a WLAN are to provide mobility and make use of a common network for voice and data, which is simpler and less expensive than having to manage two separate networks.

And for expansive environments like schools, hospitals, office buildings and warehouses, using the WLAN for voice as well as data enables staff to access all the features and functions of the company’s IP Telephone system, rather than rely on two-way radio.

Many manufacturers now offer Wireless IP telephones and software that turns a laptop or PDA into an IP Telephone, so employees are never out of touch as they move around the building.

Learn more about running voice over wireless LANs, contact us at (800) 824-1001 or tcimail@tcicomm.com.

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New Avaya IP Solution Simplifies Communications for Teleworkers

Avaya’s new teleworker solution embeds virtual private network (VPN) remote capabilities into its family of IP telephones, allowing businesses to more easily and securely extend headquarters-quality communications to remote employees working from any home office, temporary work site or emergency location.

VPNremote for Avaya 4600 series IP Telephones enables teleworkers to quickly install the desktop IP phone in their home office with minimal equipment or IT assistance, similar to how a laptop PC is connected for remote access via Internet.

An IT administrator loads the VPN software into the Avaya IP Phone. The home office-based worker simply plugs the phone into a power source, connects it to a home broadband router, enters a password, and it is fully operational.

Companies can swiftly deploy Avaya IP phones with VPNremote to necessary locations when responding to a disaster recovery scenario or disruption in network communications.

Features include a high-performance speakerphone, superior voice quality, short extension dialing, transfer, and conferencing -- as well as Web-based access to information and corporate-wide broadcasts via a screen display.

For more information about VPNremote for Avaya 4600 series IP Telephones, contact us at (800) 824-1001 or tcimail@tcicomm.com.

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TCI’s untangles your network wiring

TCI excels in providing structured network infrastructure -- wired and wireless. We’re experienced in any setting -- commercial offices, industrial, warehouse, retail -- when you need to manage a new building, a renovation, or a campus addition our experts will design, manage, install, support and maintain the entire infrastructure.

Integrating all the elements of a professional installation may include a copper and fiber cable plant, telephone system, video conferencing, switches and routers for data communications, and wireless local area networking. We pay particular attention to route diversity and establishing alternate paths to ensure high network availability.

Engage us before your building plans have been finalized. We’ll work with your real estate planners and the architect to ensure that all communication requirements are included in the plans -- saving money by avoiding a retro-fit later in the construction process.

Don’t get tangled up… TCI will make sure your wiring system helps your company meet its networking objectives. Contact us at
(800) 824-1001 or tcimail@tcicomm.com.
 

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Check out our other products & services…
 

TCI partners with industry leaders to deliver convergence solutions for all of your communications needs.

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SHARE THE NEWS!

If you know colleagues who are interested in keeping up with business communications technology please forward this newsletter to them.

Have questions, suggestions? Contact Don Routhier at routhierd@tcicomm.com or call (800) 824-1001.
 

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                                                              Newsletter developed for TCI by Ascent Solutions